National Sense of Smell Day

National Sense of Smell Day is an American holiday dedicated to the sense of smell. Thanks to this ability, we can better navigate the world around us. The sense of smell also helps us survive: we instinctively avoid food that smells bad. It is also a source of aesthetic pleasure, allowing us to enjoy the fragrance of flowers, perfumes, fresh air, and more. The holiday is celebrated annually on the last Saturday in April.

History

The history of National Sense of Smell Day dates back to 1994. The Sense of Smell Institute (S.S.I.) initiated the holiday to increase awareness about the sense of smell and its mechanisms, as well as the diseases that can lead to its impairment. The day was created to educate people about how the sense of smell works and to bring attention to conditions that can significantly deteriorate or completely impair our ability to recognize odors.

The organ responsible for the sense of smell is the nose. We perceive odors with the help of olfactory cells, which send signals to the brain when we detect an aroma. The brain then processes these signals, allowing us to identify and differentiate scents, such as recognizing the smell of lemon in a lemon cake or the scent of an apple in an apple.

Interesting Facts

• Anosmia is the term for a condition where a person completely loses their sense of smell. Hyperosmia, on the other hand, is when the sense of smell is preserved but becomes overly sensitive to certain odors.
• The sense of smell is the oldest sense organ, crucial for our ancestors who relied on it for survival. Their sense of smell was much stronger than ours today, helping them track prey, detect enemy tribes, and more.
• Aromatherapy uses the perception of specific scents to help people relax, relieve stress, and even assist in treating certain ailments.

How to Celebrate

Learn more about the sense of smell and its fascinating aspects. Visit a perfume store to find a new scent you love. Pay extra attention to the smells around you throughout the day and try to identify as many as you can!

Share information about the holiday on social media. Ask your followers if they think they have a good sense of smell.

When is National Sense of Smell Day in 2025?

National Sense of Smell Day is observed on the last Saturday in April.

Observations