I have a very powerful sense of smell.
this post was submitted on 28 May 2024
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Yes, it's known that humans have individually different sets of smell (and taste) receptors. So it wouldn't surprise me that some people would be able to smell ant trail/nest pheromones and the like. I'd guess it has less to do with formic acid though, as they do not regularly release that (it's used mainly for defense). Some people may be really triggered by the smell of certain flowers while most people would barely notice them. I my self recently developed a sensitivity to some certain chemical that appears to be in many cleaning agents, and it's very disturbing to find that disgusting smell in so many public places, dishwashing detergents, hair shampoos.
This phenomenon comes apparent a lot with foods and spices. My great example is coriander (cilantro): half of the people like the herb but for the rest it has a soapy taste so much that any food that contains coriander leaves is spoilt for them. Coriander seeds however, do not contain that specific compound. I'm one who can't stand the herb but very much likes the seeds as a spice.
Related and very interesting is also, is individually different bouquets of mating pheromones which are also present in humans (but perception is mostly subliminary). Those are connected to individual genetic sets of the immune system, a place where genetic variability and mixing is of great advantage. We choose our partners by (being able to) smell, more than we are aware of.
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