Can You Smell Your Own Lungs? Sort Of.
Your brain is filtering out more than you think.
You’re surrounded by smells… coffee, traffic, your own deodourant. But here’s a weird question:
Why don’t you smell your own lungs?
After all, you’re breathing them in and out all day.
The answer is a mix of biology, brain filters, and a surprising twist in lung chemistry.
Your Brain Is Actively Ignoring Your Nose
Your nose is constantly detecting odours, but your brain doesn’t always tell you about them.
Researchers at UC Berkeley found that the brain uses a part of the olfactory cortex as a kind of “smell gate”, tuning out background odours unless you consciously decide to pay attention. This helps you avoid sensory overload from constant smells like your own breath or the room you’re in.
So yes, your brain is actively ignoring the smell of your own lungs.
But Wait, Your Lungs Might Actually “Smell”
Here’s where it gets wild.
Scientists have discovered olfactory receptors, the same kind used for smell, in human lung tissue. These receptors don’t send signals to your brain but instead help regulate airway function. They might respond to certain chemicals by triggering reactions like coughing or airway constriction.
So, while your lungs aren’t “smelling” in the traditional sense, they are detecting chemicals in a way that influences your breathing.
The Takeaway
You don’t consciously smell your own lungs because your brain filters out constant, background odours to prevent sensory overload. Meanwhile, your lungs are equipped with olfactory receptors that detect certain chemicals, influencing respiratory functions without involving your sense of smell.
TL;DR:
You don’t consciously smell your own lungs because your brain filters out constant, background odours to prevent sensory overload. Meanwhile, your lungs are equipped with olfactory receptors that detect certain chemicals, influencing respiratory functions without involving your sense of smell.
If you enjoyed this, forward it to someone who’s always sniffing out new knowledge.
(And if you got this from a friend, they wanted you to know: you’re the breath of fresh air in their day.)
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