Did You Know That Smell Of Sweat May Ease Social Anxiety Symptoms?

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Most of us are familiar with the feeling of trembling knees or a crackling voice while giving a presentation and that feeling of butterflies in our stomach when meeting someone (no, it's not love - it's just nervousness).

While these are normal, if your everyday actions cause you jitteriness or if you avoid social interactions due to the fear of embarrassment and self-consciousness, then it is no longer mere shyness, but rather a social anxiety disorder, also referred to as social phobia [1].

According to the results of a preliminary study presented this week at the 31st European Congress of Psychiatry, exposure to certain odours present in human sweat may be effective in treating social anxiety [2].

That's right, you read that right! Let's read on to learn more whether Smell Of Sweat May Ease Social Anxiety.

Why Does the Smell of Sweat Ease Symptoms of Social Anxiety?

The purpose of the study was to determine whether mindfulness training, especially when combined with exposure to social chemosignals, might benefit individuals with social anxiety symptoms.

The term "social chemosignals" refers to all forms of stimulation that are exchanged within a species and detected by the chemical senses (i.e., olfaction, vomer olfaction, taste, tarsal chemoreception) [3].

After one therapy session, anxiety scores were reduced by approximately 39% in the odour-exposed group, as compared with just 17% in the group receiving therapy alone.

Does sweat smell have the potential to help people suffering from social anxiety?

A variety of factors can influence our emotions, including environmental stimuli, as well as chemo-signals we emit, such as sweat, which may influence our emotions.

Using chemo-signal analysis in conjunction with other treatment options for social anxiety, such as mindfulness therapy, may allow for improved treatment effectiveness.

Can sweat alone treat social anxiety symptoms?

No, it cannot. However, it may be possible to improve the effectiveness of treatment by combining chemo-signal analysis with other treatment options for social anxiety, including mindfulness therapy.

In chemo-signal analysis, people give off chemical signals when they are anxious that are measured and analysed.

By understanding the exact signals that people give off when anxious, new treatments can be developed to target these signals and ultimately help reduce the symptoms of social anxiety [4][5].

Sweat, Anxiety And Side Effects

The researchers noted that if these anti-anxiety molecules prove effective, they would likely cause few side effects compared to psychiatric drugs.

Experts have found the results "intriguing," but a large amount of follow-up research is required - so, please don't go smelling others when you are anxious!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.