Scents and Sensibilities - The Invisible Language of Smell

Explore the fascinating world of olfaction in this 90-minute World Science Festival panel discussion. Delve into the science of smell and its powerful impact on our brains, behaviors, emotions, and communication. Discover how scents can potentially control behavior, diagnose diseases, and even convey fear and love. Learn about the subconscious and pre-cognitive nature of smell, its evolutionary importance, and its role in various species' survival. Join host Juju Chang and experts Leslie Vosshall, Consuelo De Moraes, Sissel Tolaas, and Avery Gilbert as they unravel topics such as plant defense mechanisms, human bacteria in cheese-making, pheromones, and gender differences in olfactory abilities. Participate in a "scent interactive" experience and gain insights into how our brains process odors, debunk common myths about scent, and explore the potential of scent categorization.

Juju Chang's Introduction.
What is a scent?
Participant Introductions.
How is scent different from our other senses?
Plants use scent for defense.
Trying to become a skunk.
The cocktail party phenomenon.
Making cheese from human bacteria.
What are some of the myths of scent?
What is the deal with pheromones?
The audience takes the smell test
Hoe do plants have animal like behavior?
Can animals smell cancer?
Are women better at smelling?
How do you categorize different scents?