The Future of Scent & Health

I recently took a three-week scent and artificial intelligence course, partly out of fear - will AI wipe out perfumery? - and partly out of curiosity about the latest scent technology for health.

Throughout history, scent has held a significant role in traditional medical systems, a fact often disregarded in Western medicine. However, the landscape is changing. Huge investments are flowing into scent technologies, looking at olfaction as a credible tool for illness detection and health enhancement. For instance, research has shown that analyzing scents in our breath or body can be a dependable, noninvasive way to spot early signs of cancer, diabetes, and infections!

Google's Osmo is at the cutting edge. Run by a group of researchers from sensory neuroscience to fine fragrance, this scent AI aims to help people become healthier by digitizing smell.

It's a weird world out there, and part of me wants to ignore it all and quietly work away in my perfume studio. But another part of me kinda loves the idea of getting sniffed rather than prodded & scanned when I go for my next mammogram. 

Either way, it's nice to see scent getting its due in the health space!

Best scented wishes,
Emily