Losing someone close is one of life’s hardest experiences, affecting us emotionally, mentally,

and physically. Grief can last months or years, often leading people to search for meaning or

to better understand death. Science has also studied how humans respond to subtle signals linked to life’s end.

After death, the body releases chemical compounds, including putrescine, which carries the odor of decomposition.

Though unpleasant, its discovery is significant — it shows how both humans and animals are sensitive

to chemical cues in their environment. Even without conscious awareness, these signals influence behavior.

Psychologists Arnaud Wisman and Ilan Shrira found that when participants were exposed to tiny amounts of putrescine,

they became more alert and cautious. Many instinctively moved away from the odor, showing a reaction similar to the fight-or-flight response.

Interestingly, most didn’t consciously identify the smell as linked to death, yet their bodies reacted automatically.

This research highlights how scent strongly shapes human behavior. Just as familiar smells can trigger comfort, attraction,

or memory, other odors signal caution and survival instincts. Putrescine doesn’t let us predict death,

but it reveals how our senses remain deeply connected to safety, survival, and the hidden language of the environment.