Old man smell

Old man smell, or Old-Person Smell, is a meme found in pop culture referring to an odor that is characteristically associated with the elderly.[1]

Much like many animal species, human odor undergoes distinct stages based on chemical changes initiated through the ageing process. Research suggests that this enables humans to determine the suitability of potential partners based on age, in addition to other factors.[2]

In 2012 the Monell Chemical Senses Center released a press release claiming that the human ability to identify information such as age, illness, and genetic suitability from odor is responsible for the distinctive "old man smell". Sensory neuroscientist Johan Lundström stated, "Elderly people have a discernible underarm odor that younger people consider to be fairly neutral and not very unpleasant." [3]

There is some research which suggests that Old-Person Smell may be the result of 2-Nonenal, an unsaturated aldehyde which is associated with human body odor alterations during aging,[4][5] however, there are many other theories.[6]

In Culture

Old-Person Smell, known as kareishu, is of particular concern in Japanese culture, due to the high value placed on personal hygiene [7]

See also

2-Nonenal

References

  1. ↑ http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/31/old-person-smell-really-exists-scientists-say/
  2. ↑ http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0038110
  3. ↑ http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-05/mcsc-tss052412.php
  4. ↑ Haze, S.; Gozu, Y.; Nakamura, S.; Kohno, Y.; Sawano, K.; Ohta, H.; Yamazaki, K. (2001). "2-Nonenal Newly Found in Human Body Odor Tends to Increase with Aging". Journal of Investigative Dermatology 116 (4): 520–4. doi:10.1046/j.0022-202x.2001.01287.x. PMID 11286617.
  5. ↑ 2-Nonenal
  6. ↑ http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/30/scientists-confirm-existence-of-old-person-smell/comment-page-2/
  7. ↑ http://inventorspot.com/articles/japans_aging_population_deals_with_old_man_smell_16746