Losing a loved one is an agonizing experience that deeply affects our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Healing from such a loss is a gradual process, and the mental trauma can take years to fully recover from. Some believe that humans have an innate sense when their end is near.
When a person passes away, their body begins to decompose, emitting a noxious odor called putrescine. Recent research reveals that people unconsciously detect this unpleasant smell. Arnaud Wisman and Ilan Shira conducted a study showing that people react to putrescine both consciously and involuntarily, triggering a fight-or-flight response.
This ability to detect putrescine serves as a warning signal. When confronted with a severe threat, both humans and animals tend to either confront or flee from it. People generally avoid disputes, maintaining their distance until they have no other choice. Putrescine conveys a different message than sex pheromones, leading to avoidance and hostility instead of attraction.
