If you find yourself suddenly in a click with another person, the chance is good that you smell the same, at least according to science.
A study published in Science Advances by the researchers of the Weizmann Institute of Science last month suggests that people who build immediate friendship connections or “click friends,” may share a similar scent. Subsequently, through this result, the group of scientists suggests being able to “predict social bonding” through a means they refer to as the “electronic nose.”
Proving the point, lead researcher Inbal Raverby tested the hypothesis by using a pair of non-romantic, similar-gender friends and “harvested their body odor.” Using an electronic nose in addition to independent human smellers, the experiment established that friends do share their smell in contrast to random pairs.
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Pushing the theory even further, the scientists conducted a test involving strangers, leading to a finding that says that those who have a similar smell tend to have the most positive interactions with one another.
Another method was also introduced that involved providing subjects with three odors, two of which were from click friends and another from an outlier. The procedure revealed that the participants were able to accurately point out the scents they attribute with.