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Smell is sensed by more than your nose. While the nose has long been thought to be the main receptor for molecules wafting through the air, it turns out other organs may be doing some sniffing. “Over the last decade or so, scientists have discovered that odor receptors are not solely confined to the nose, but found throughout body where they play a pivotal role in a host of physiological functions.” Now researchers have found that skin is highly sensitive to smells in the air. “More than 15 of the olfactory receptors that exist in the nose are also found in human skin cells. Not only that, but exposing one of these receptors (colorfully named OR2AT4) to a synthetic sandalwood odor known as Sandalore sets off a cascade of molecular signals that appears to induce healing in injured tissue.” Skin abrasions bathed in the scent of Sandalore healed 30% faster than those without the smell, which the researchers say “could lead to cosmetic products for aging skin and to new treatments to promote recovery after physical trauma.”
