In this episode, we summarize Luca Turin's "The Secret of Scent," which proposes a vibration theory of olfaction, challenging the traditional shape-based model of smell. Turin, a biophysicist with a love for perfume, suggests that we detect scents through molecular vibrations, akin to tiny musical notes, rather than molecules simply fitting into nasal receptors. This theory explains why some structurally similar molecules smell different and vice versa, introducing concepts from quantum physics, like electron tunneling, to the process of scent detection. The transcript highlights Turin's passion for fragrance as an art form and his broader perspective on how understanding smell can reveal deeper connections between science, emotion, and memory, ultimately urging a more profound appreciation for this often-overlooked sense.

https://a.co/d/btiQE8f