A Cross-Sectional Survey Analysis of the Human Olfactory Senses for Perfumes and its Alternations due to COVID-19

Abstract

Perfumes are created by a fine blend of fragrant compounds, essential oils, various fixatives, and liquid solvents. They bestow a pleasant smell on the human body, animals, objects, and surroundings. In today’s environment, people wear perfume to conceal or enhance their natural odour. Some people even wear perfume to be unique or special and have a characteristic aroma. Perfumes can also increase one’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Following this context, this study aims to evaluate the odour families preferred by males and females and the odour families they find appealing to the opposite sex. This paper and its findings scrupulously define the odour families and raw materials used in perfumery and pose a question to neuroscientists about the further scope in areas of brain development and unravel the mysteries behind the preference of gender-based division of odour families. It also shows the statistics of how the COVID-19 global pandemic had decreased the usage of perfume during the trying times of lockdowns and restrictions.