The scent of emotions: A systematic review of human intra- and interspecific chemical communication of emotions.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review of experimental studies on emotional chemosignaling
PubMed 32212329 · doi:10.1002/brb3.1585
What was done
The authors conducted a systematic literature review evaluating the role of human emotional chemosignals (derived from axillary odors and sad tears) in human communication and their effects on animal behavior. Specific databases, search dates, screening criteria, and study counts are not reported in the abstract.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or statistical metrics. Qualitatively, emotional chemosignals from fear, happiness, and sad tears were reported to affect receivers' social interactions, danger detection, risk-taking behavior, social aspects of eating, and performance under stress. Human chemosignals also influenced behavioral and stress responses in domestic animals, specifically dogs and horses.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes evidence that human olfaction conveys emotional states beyond fight-or-flight reactions—including positive emotions like happiness—and can cross species boundaries to influence animal behavior.
Limits
The abstract provides no sample sizes, number of included studies, statistical results, or risk-of-bias appraisals. Details regarding how chemosignals were collected, controlled, or standardized are omitted in the abstract.