‘Old-Person Smell’

‘Old-Person Smell’ Really Exists, Scientists Say

Elderly people have a distinct smell, confirm researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, but contrary to stereotype their scent isn't all bad.

By ALEXANDRA SIFFERLIN | @acsifferlin | May 31, 2012 | 

GSO IMAGES / GETTY IMAGES

‘Old-person smell’ is a real thing — and it’s not just due to mothballs or a musty house. Researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia confirmed that elderly people really do have a distinct scent, so recognizable in fact that people can identify them by body odor alone.

The researchers speculate that the human ability to discern age through scent might be an evolutionary skill related to the way other animals are able to sniff out young, virile mates and avoid those that are older or sick./.../