Why Some People Love the Smell of Gasoline

Don't feel guilty if you enjoy the smell of gasoline. Science can explain the sweet scent of this chemical cocktail and provide possible reasons for its liking.

By Carl Engelking
Dec 21, 2022 10:30 PMDec 21, 2022 10:24 PM
gas pump
(Credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock)

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This article was originally published on Nov. 27, 2019.

Have you ever caught a whiff of an errant splash of gasoline from the nozzle at the gas station? You may be too proud to admit it, but did you enjoy the smell of gasoline as that pungent, almost sweet, chemical odor tickled your olfactory bulb? You have company. 

Of course, for every person who finds the smell of gasoline pleasant, there are likely as many who find it nauseating. But those people who like the smell of gasoline really like the smell of gasoline. So, what’s their deal?

Why Do Humans Like the Smell of Gasoline?

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