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Alcohol Can Improve Sense of Smell

An Israeli study has found that a small amount of alcohol can improve the sense of smell.

Twenty volunteers were asked to smell three different liquids.  Two were a mixture of the same six odors while the third had one of the odors replaced.  The volunteers had two seconds to smell the liquids and find the one that was different.

Next some of volunteers were given 35 ml of vodka, the others fruit juice, and the test was repeated.  Those who had the vodka showed an improved ability to detect the odor that was different.

However, given more alcohol – two units for women and three for men within an hour – and their sniffing abilities went to hell in a hand basket.

The results of the study were published under Behavioural Brain Research at ScienceDirect.com.