I would choose to give up my sense of smell. This seems like the most sensible choice to me as it is far less traumatic than the sudden loss of eyesight or hearing. While all five senses are typically vital to survival, domesticated species and humans can typically survive losing a sense without any serious repercussions. We even have the ability to improve certain senses that are not up to par, such as eyesight.
Anosmia – the medical term for loss of smell – is commonly associated with illnesses such as the common cold. It is generally something that most people experience at least once in their lifetime. While the numbers vary somewhat, it’s believed that as many as 2% of Americans are affected by anosmia and other smell disorders. Despite …show more content…
Natural gas and smoke are two major hazards. Having detectors for both of these things in my home and vehicle would help to prevent injury or even death. Another thing to consider is the dangers of some household cleaners, such as bleach and ammonia. These should always be used in a well-ventilated area, due to inhalation risks. While someone with a normal sense of smell would be able to detect when they’ve used too much and should leave the area, this is not possible for someone lacking a sense of smell. Even people who do not suffer from a complete loss of smell could benefit from these extra safety …show more content…
For wild animals, this is an important part of life. These chemicals can influence reproductive behavior such as menstrual cycles and mate selection. Their purpose in humans is less studied, and it is quite possible that we have evolved to be less influenced by them as social structures became more concrete. In modern culture, mating is commonly influenced by social standing or wealth, compared to older concepts such as choosing a strong mate.
In the end, I strongly believe that most people can live long and fulfilled lives even without a sense of smell. While we may need to take extra precautions to protect ourselves, there is little difference otherwise. On the other hand, In the case of wild animals, the difference may be huge and even life threatening. They do not have the luxury of depending on modern medicine for support.
As I mentioned earlier, feral and truly wild animals depend on their sense of smell much more than humans and domesticated animals. Many of these animals depend on pheromones, although the role of these chemicals is not well studied in humans. In most species of animals, pheromones play a role in influencing the behavior of
Anosmia – the medical term for loss of smell – is commonly associated with illnesses such as the common cold. It is generally something that most people experience at least once in their lifetime. While the numbers vary somewhat, it’s believed that as many as 2% of Americans are affected by anosmia and other smell disorders. Despite …show more content…
Natural gas and smoke are two major hazards. Having detectors for both of these things in my home and vehicle would help to prevent injury or even death. Another thing to consider is the dangers of some household cleaners, such as bleach and ammonia. These should always be used in a well-ventilated area, due to inhalation risks. While someone with a normal sense of smell would be able to detect when they’ve used too much and should leave the area, this is not possible for someone lacking a sense of smell. Even people who do not suffer from a complete loss of smell could benefit from these extra safety …show more content…
For wild animals, this is an important part of life. These chemicals can influence reproductive behavior such as menstrual cycles and mate selection. Their purpose in humans is less studied, and it is quite possible that we have evolved to be less influenced by them as social structures became more concrete. In modern culture, mating is commonly influenced by social standing or wealth, compared to older concepts such as choosing a strong mate.
In the end, I strongly believe that most people can live long and fulfilled lives even without a sense of smell. While we may need to take extra precautions to protect ourselves, there is little difference otherwise. On the other hand, In the case of wild animals, the difference may be huge and even life threatening. They do not have the luxury of depending on modern medicine for support.
As I mentioned earlier, feral and truly wild animals depend on their sense of smell much more than humans and domesticated animals. Many of these animals depend on pheromones, although the role of these chemicals is not well studied in humans. In most species of animals, pheromones play a role in influencing the behavior of