Sniffing Out Danger-Meg Mickelsen

The general consensus was that we only become fearful of a smell after information about the smell is processed by our brain, however a new study, using mice suggests otherwise.  In the study mice were given a specific odor and then a shock.  Soon before the smell was even processed by the brain, the mice showed a heightened response to the smell in the cells of the nose.  This suggests that experience and trauma can actually effect how are sensory organs work on a basic level, which could lead to better understanding of trauma patients.  I find this discovery very interesting I wonder if the hypersensitivity could be reversed using exposure therapy.  If so, this could greatly help trauma patients.  Read more about it here http://www.sciencedaily.com.