If you smell something long enough, would the scent go away?

Answer 1

What you are talking about is called desensitizing. Your nose receptiors still are aware of the odor, but your brain tones down the input.

Your eyes will do the same thing. Stare at the same thing for a while and you will notice it start to fade into the background.

This is different then other effects. For example if you take a few whiffs of gasoline (light ones - please!) you will notice that the smell of gas fades a bit but so does your ability to smell strong odors. The gas essentially knocks out some of the receptors.

so.. to answer your question..

NO... the smell is still there you just won't be as aware of it.


(If a tree falls in the forrest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound, grasshopper?)

Answer 2

I don't think the scent necessarily goes away, its just you be come desensitized to it. For examplye, I have the Air Wick fragrance plugs in my living room and when I first put them in there, I can smell it very well. After a while, it doens't smell the same but if someone else walks into the living room they comment about it. The fragrance is still there.

Answer 3

Would seem to be the case, yes. After a while the brain seems to ignore strong constant " background" smells such as sewage, but still picks up the "new" faint scent of roses. Some strong smelling chemicals such as hydrogen sulphide ( rotten eggs) actually anaesthetise the nose after a while, reaching toxic levels without the victim realising the danger.

Answer 4

You will get used to the smell and your brain will start to ignore it, but the actual scent will not go away.

Try this to show you how your brain ignores things after a while:
Stare at something with very bright neon colors (it can be anything really but it's cooler with bright colors) and don't blink or move your eyes. Pretty soon, everything you see, even those colors will turn to grey.
It only works if nothing moves though.

Answer 5

We might get used to the smell but the scent would still be there.

Answer 6

I would have to say the answer to your question is no, the smell does not go away. What happens is that your senses become immune or use to the smell and will not pick up the smell unless you smell something different and then go back to it.

Answer 7

no i dont think it dissapears....I remember when i was at a festival and there was a stand with all these different incents, and after you smelled one the ownere would hold out a jar a coffee for you to smell, to clense you pallete so to speak before you went on the the next aroma. I think when you senses are drenched it a scent than it becomes diluted until your senses are cleansed by a different aroma

Answer 8

The scent won't actually go away, but you will not be as aware of it. If you leave the scent for a bit, then come back to it, it'll be "back".

Answer 9

There was a guy on T.V. years ago called Mr. Wizard. He gave an explanation why after a few minutes you can't smell something. You couldn't prove it to me when I go into the bathroom stall at work though.

Answer 10

After you smell the same scent for a lon time...yo get used to it && can't smell it.