Professional Smeller: Nose is World's 'Most Sensitive Instrument'

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Credit Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator

The human olfactory system. 1: Olfactory bulb 2: Mitral cells 3: Bone 4: Nasal epithelium 5: Glomerulus 6: Olfactory receptor cells

Stop for a moment. Take a deep breath. What do you smell? Anything? Put your wrist to your nose. Are you wearing perfume? Can you smell the laundry detergent or fabric softener on your sleeve?

You might not realize it, but you are in possession of one of the world's most powerful and sensitive instruments: Your nose. Today on Boston Public Radio, Roy Desroachers joined us to discuss just how powerful your nose is and explain why you probably aren’t using it to its fullest capacity. And how would he know? He smells things for a living.

Still not convinced? Here's Desroachers describing what a highlighter smells like:

Guest: 

• Roy Desrochers, sensory practice leader at GEI consultants