How Smell, Taste & Pheromones Shape Behavior | Huberman Lab Essentials

Andrew Huberman

May 1, 2025

Episode description

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explore how your sense of smell (olfaction), taste, and chemical sensing influence memory, alertness, focus, and even communication between people.

I explain how these senses help us detect chemicals in the environment and respond to a variety of environmental cues. I discuss the connection between the olfactory system and cognitive performance, and I provide practical tools to enhance learning, sensory function, and brain health. Additionally, I examine how chemical signals exchanged between people subtly influence emotions, biology, and social bonds.

Huberman Lab Essentials episodes are approximately 30 minutes long and focus on key science and protocol takeaways from past Huberman Lab episodes. Essentials are released every Thursday, while full-length episodes continue to air every Monday.

Read the episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/kMvy0Rh

Huberman Lab Essentials are short episodes focused on essential science and protocol takeaways from past full-length Huberman Lab episodes. Watch or listen to the full-length episode: https://youtu.be/Mwz8JprPeMc

More Huberman Lab Essentials: https://go.hubermanlab.com/essentials

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 Huberman Lab Essentials; Smell & Taste
00:02:04 Tears, Biological Response & Communication
00:05:05 Smell, Innate vs Learned Response, Memory
00:08:31 Accessory Olfactory Pathway, Pheromones, Vandenbergh effect
00:10:41 Smell & Alertness, Smelling Salts, Tool: Nasal Breathing & Learning
00:14:06 Tool: Increase Sense of Smell; Brain Health, Olfactory Neurons
00:16:54 Traumatic Brain Injury & Olfactory Dysfunction
00:19:07 Smell, Alertness, Smelling Salts, Tool: Peppermint
00:21:15 Taste Modalities & Functions; Taste & Digestive System
00:27:30 Pheromones, Coolidge Effect, Humans & Chemical Communication
00:33:34 Recap & Key Takeaways

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Monitor smell to assess brain health

Your ability to smell is a strong indicator of brain health because olfactory neurons are unique in their ability to be constantly replenished throughout life, and their loss can signal brain injury.

#brain

#neurology

Train your sense of smell to enhance neuron growth

You can enhance your sense of smell and promote the creation of new neurons by frequently and closely smelling different odors, a practice particularly beneficial for recovery from head injuries.

#neurology

#recovery

Use peppermint scent to boost alertness and attention

The smell of peppermint can increase attention and create an arousal response, acting as a milder and safer alternative to ammonia-based smelling salts for waking up the brain.

#attention

#focus

Debunk the tongue map myth: taste receptors intermixed across tongue

Contrary to old textbook diagrams, taste receptors for sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami are not in separate zones but are completely intermixed all over your tongue.

#tongue

Discover tongue's ability to sense fat content in food

In addition to the five primary tastes, there is growing scientific evidence that our tongues have specific receptors to sense the fat content in food.

#fat

#tongue

Recognize subconscious hand-smelling after handshakes

Research shows that after shaking hands, people will subconsciously touch their own face or eyes within seconds to sample the chemical signature from the other person's skin.

#cognition

Recognize women's tears to lower men's testosterone levels

A study found that men who smelled tears from women crying due to sadness experienced a significant reduction in their testosterone levels and brain areas associated with sexual arousal.

#testosterone

#women

Inhale to boost alertness and cognitive function

The physical act of inhaling, independent of any specific odor, increases alertness and cognitive function, which is why nasal breathing during focused work can improve learning.