Emotional expression in human odour

Abstract Recent work has demonstrated that human body odour alters with changing emotional state and emotionally laden odours can affect the physiology behaviour of people exposed to them. Here we review these discoveries, which believe add a growing recognition sense smell its potential role in social interactions have been underappreciated. However, also critically evaluate current evidence, particular focus on methodology interpretation studies. We argue while evidence convincingly indicates humans retain capacity for olfactory communication emotion, extent this occurs ordinary interaction remains an open question. Future studies should place fewer restrictions participant selection lifestyle adopt more realistic experimental designs. need devote consideration underlying mechanisms recognise constraints may effective communication. Finally, outline some promising approaches address issues, raise broader theoretical questions such help us answer.