======Olfactory Adaptation======


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**Alternative titles:** Smell Adaptation
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Choose a safe and distinct-smelling item (such as an orange peel, vanilla extract, or vinegar).  
  - Have participants smell the item for about 30–60 seconds, continuing to breathe normally.  
  - Ask them to describe how strong the smell seems at the beginning and after a short time.  
  - After adaptation occurs and the smell seems weaker or disappears, introduce a new odor (such as peppermint oil, coffee grounds, or cinnamon).  
  - Ask participants to note how quickly they can detect the new scent compared to the adapted one.



====Links==== 
Brain Waves - Smell (olfactory adaptation) activity - Parachute: 
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Sense of Smell Teaching Demo Plus Fun Activity - Teacher Cathy: 
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====Variations====
  * Compare how long adaptation takes with different scents.  
  * Test whether stronger odors cause slower or faster adaptation.  
  * Alternate between strong and mild scents to see if adaptation differs.  
  * Try closing one nostril to see if adaptation occurs differently in each nostril.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Only use safe, non-toxic household items or food-based scents.  
  * Avoid strong chemicals or allergens that could irritate the nose or cause allergic reactions.  
  * Do not place liquids directly in or too close to the nose; use soaked cotton balls or small open containers.




====Questions to Consider====
  * Why does the smell seem to disappear after a while? (The olfactory receptors become less responsive to continuous stimulation, and the brain filters out constant signals.)  
  * Why can we smell a new odor so easily after adaptation? (The brain is primed to notice changes in the environment, especially new stimuli.)  
  * How might olfactory adaptation be useful in daily life? (It prevents the nervous system from being overwhelmed and allows focus on new, potentially important smells.)  
  * Why do some people describe this as being “nose blind”? (It is a common term for temporary loss of sensitivity to a familiar or constant odor.)