# Demographic and geographical determinants of human olfactory perception of 909 individuals inhabiting 16 regions

## TL;DR

A study of 909 people from 16 regions found that while odor perception is mostly similar worldwide, intensity varies more by region than pleasantness.

## Contribution

The study introduces a multidimensional olfactory perceptual fingerprint to assess global odor perception differences.

## Key findings

- Olfactory perception is largely consistent worldwide despite regional differences.
- Odor intensity is more regionally dependent than pleasantness.
- Age and gender have limited influence on odor perception.

## Abstract

The hedonic perception of odors is similar worldwide. However, our perception of smells is much more than just determining whether an odor is pleasant or not. Here, we expanded this assessment by recruiting 909 people from 16 regions of the world and measuring 12 perceptual dimensions (e.g., pleasantness, intensity, edibility), which were aggregated into an olfactory perceptual fingerprint. We used two fingerprints: descriptor-specific and odor-specific. Age, gender, and region explained 1.1%, 0.3%, and 9.6% of variance in the descriptor-specific fingerprints, respectively. Similarly, age, gender, and region explained 0.5%, 0.3%, and 8.2% of variance in the odor-specific fingerprints. Interestingly, odor intensity was more regionally dependent than pleasantness. Thus, olfactory perception across the globe may be better differentiated by odor intensity than pleasantness. Although there is some influence of individual and cultural backgrounds, human perception of odors appears to be quite similar worldwide, even when assessed using 12 perceptual dimensions.

•Olfactory perception of 909 people from 16 regions was evaluated•Human perception of odors appears to be quite similar worldwide•Olfactory perception worldwide is better differentiated by intensity than hedonics•Age and gender had a limited impact on individual perception of odors

Olfactory perception of 909 people from 16 regions was evaluated

Human perception of odors appears to be quite similar worldwide

Olfactory perception worldwide is better differentiated by intensity than hedonics

Age and gender had a limited impact on individual perception of odors

Natural sciences; Biological sciences; Neuroscience; Clinical neuroscience; Sensory neuroscience