18/09/2025
Hands up if you’ve ever smelled your newborn baby’s head?!
Did you know that a baby’s head has a specific smell that actually has a positive effect on the brain's reward system. Research has shown can make people feel happy and harmonious and we can totally see why!
According to sciencenordic.com, Biologist Johan Lundström, a researcher who specialises in smell, thought it was so wonderful to smell his daughter's head when she was born that he decided to investigate exactly how a baby's body odour affects people, according to an article published on an online Swedish popular science research magazine called forskning.se.
Lundström and his colleagues conducted experiments with 30 women who were asked to smell the inside of hats that had been worn by newborns. At the same time, the researchers studied their brains with a magnetic camera.
The women were also given other smells. When the researchers compared the different images of the women’s brains, it appeared that the baby smell had a similar effect on the brain as drugs used to treat mental illness.
The researchers now hope that a nasal spray with this distinctive baby smell could be developed as new, safe treatment for mental illnesses such as depression.
How amazing is that?!
Do you know anyone with a newborn? TAG them in the comments below!