The association between well-being and olfactory sensitivity

Abstract

Well-being (WB) is defined as a healthy state of mind and body. It consists of mental, physical, and social domains. In our everyday life, we perceive millions of odors from our environment, which have a role in social communication, protecting us from the environmental hazards and in our quality of life. A lot is known about the association between olfaction and depression; however, the relation between WB and olfaction remains unexplored. In the study, we reanalyzed 122 healthy subjects (mean age of 26 ± 3 years; 58 men/64 women). WB state was examined using the 42-item, General habitual well-being questionnaire and olfactory sensitivity was assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks test. We found out a significant positive correlation between the WB and olfactory sensitivity r₁₁₉ = .21, p = .023. Therefore, it is evident that even in healthy subjects, there exist a positive relationship between the sense of smell and the WB state. This connection may offer valuable insights into potential indicators of future mental health conditions.

Practical Applications

The sense of smell plays a critical role in establishing social connections, including kin recognition and the development of sexual relationships. Olfactory loss serves as an early indicator for depression. Likewise, in individuals without apparent health issues, assessing smell function can serve as a potential precursor for identifying mental health conditions. Consequently, it is advisable to integrate smell testing into routine medical simulation training.