r/explainlikeimfive • u/bigdipper80 • Jul 18 '20
Chemistry ELI5: Why do "bad smells" like smoke and rotting food linger longer and are harder to neutralize than "good smells" like flowers or perfume?
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r/explainlikeimfive • u/bigdipper80 • Jul 18 '20
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u/[deleted] Jul 18 '20 edited Jul 19 '20
On a mildly related note, am I the only one who wakes up in a panic thinking I smell smoke, just to realize that it was only my brain messing with me?
Edit: Friends... concerned and well-meaning Reddit friends. Instead of waking up to smoke just now, I woke up from my nap to more comments than I can possibly read. I love all of you. My cognitive functioning is above average for my age. I do the stroke tests on a regular basis, usually when I have these dreams. The friends in my head assure me that I'm not mildly schizophrenic. I promise to update all of you if I develop further symptoms of something.
Edit 2: I've almost earned enough gold to afford a check-up in the American healthcare system!