Why Do Some People Love the Smell of Gasoline So Much?

People have very different habits and very different tastes. Some people may have tastes that seem strange to others. One of them is the smell of gasoline People who love or enjoy the smell of gasoline.

Of course, people who like the smell of gasoline like this smell. disgusting There are those who find Well, why do these people like the smell of gasoline, why do they enjoy the smell of gasoline so much?

To fully understand why people like the smell of gasoline, it is necessary to dig deep into the source in question.

Gasoline contains hundreds of chemical compounds known as de-icers, oils, rust inhibitors and hydrocarbons. Components of butane, pentane, isopentane and BTEX: benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and xylene. Among all these components, benzene is responsible for that gassy smell of gasoline.

Benzene is added to increase the octane level of gasoline, thus improving engine performance and fuel efficiency. Benzene is natural for which many noses are particularly sensitive. a pleasant scent there is. This smell is so strong that the human nose can detect it, even if it is one in a million in the air. Benzene also evaporates very quickly.

Benzene was used to impart a pleasant aroma in aftershaves from the 1800s to the early 1900s because of its scent. It was also possible to find benzene as a solvent in decaffeinated coffees. However, benzene carcinogenic Its use in such products did not last long, as it is highly toxic and very dangerous if inhaled at high concentrations or with long-term exposure.

Of course, that doesn’t exactly explain why people love such a dangerous and fragrant chemical. Although scientists have not yet reached a final conclusion on this issue, there are two main theories on this subject.

Gasoline triggers good memories.

It is known that smell is a very strong stimulus. There are definitely some smells that send you to the past days. Here’s to this powerful link between smell and memory. Proust phenomenon is named.

Smells are the only senses that pass through the thalamus before reaching the forebrain. Thalamus; It directs the ‘sensors’ in our eyes, ears, tongue and touch to the right parts of our brain. But the fragrance bypasses this process directly. In addition, the nerves that determine the odor molecules, emotional response and from memory formation It is located very densely near the responsible amygdala and hippocampus.

So if we go back to the topic of gasoline smell, gasoline smell, good memories of your childhood There is a possibility of reminders. Having that smell you picked up on when you were happier as a kid might explain why you like the smell of gasoline.

Gasoline activates the mesolimbic pathway.

This theory focuses more on the physical effect of benzene on nerve receptors that determine odor. When benzene and other hydrocarbons are inhaled, they have a suppressive effect on the nervous system, resulting in a temporary, ‘euphoric’ feeling. So man you like a feeling arises.

This biological process that numbs your nerves prize way It activates the mesolimbic pathway, also known as In other words, when the nerves smell benzene, the mesolimbic system releases dopamine. Your brain is telling you it likes it and wants more of it.

It even has perfume!

In one survey, those making the switch to electric vehicles 70% of Turns out he missed the smell of gasoline. Ford also produced a perfume that smells like a gas station to draw attention to Mustang’s electric vehicle.

Of course, it should be reminded that these are theories that try to explain why people like the smell of gasoline. There is not much scientific research focusing on this subject. Well, are you one of those who like the smell of gasoline?