Your Body Knows When Death Is Near, And It All Begins In The Nose

It’s common for families to share stories about loved ones who have passed away, often recounting unexpected behaviors in the moments before death—farewells, seeking closure on troubled relationships, or giving away prized possessions. Some believe these actions suggest that people sense their end is near, while others dismiss it as mere coincidence.

Scientists, however, have discovered that our bodies begin to change the moment death occurs. For instance, as a body decays, it releases putrescine—a foul, toxic odor that results from decomposition. This scent isn’t just a byproduct of decay; it also serves as an immediate warning signal. Humans, much like animals, subconsciously detect this odor. When exposed to the scent of putrescine, people often exhibit an automatic fight-or-flight response, moving away as if sensing real danger.

Research conducted by Arnaud Wisman at the University of Kent’s School of Psychology in Canterbury, UK, and Ilan Shira from the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AK, has shed light on this phenomenon. Their experiments, which involved exposing participants to putrescine, ammonia, and water, revealed that both humans and animals share the ability to detect chemical scents as a matter of survival. For animals, this sensory detection often triggers a reflex to either fight or flee from a threat; similarly, humans react by avoiding the area, driven by a deep-seated instinct for self-preservation.

Further studies have shown that certain other scents, such as the sweat produced during fearful situations, can cause an immediate and unconscious startled reaction. “We do not know why we like or dislike someone’s smell, and we’re usually not aware of how scent influences our emotions, preferences, and attitudes,” explain Wisman and Shira. Their research suggests that while people rarely consider a scent as frightening, some odors make us more alert and cautious of our surroundings.

Humans tend to avoid confrontation, often choosing to distance themselves rather than face danger head-on. In contrast to the chemicals known as sex pheromones—which naturally attract potential mates—putrescine seems to send the opposite message by provoking avoidance and even hostility. Although most people are not consciously aware of their negative reaction to putrescine, this subtle signal is enough to alert us to potential danger.

In essence, our natural responses to certain scents, whether they be attractive or alarming, play a crucial role in our survival. The distinct chemical cues of putrescine, in particular, appear to serve as an unconscious alarm system that prepares us to steer clear of threats—even if we cannot explain why the scent bothers us so deeply.