Will's magnificent post on infrasound has inspired me to contribute my thoughts on a similar subject. Just as undetectable sonic stimuli can be effective in inducing fear in people, so, too, can smell and, in particular, pheromones. I'm sure most of you have heard someone, somewhere, talk about smelling fear, and this is something that you can actually do. Nervous people smell nervous and terrified people manufacture a certain "eau d'horreur" of their own. All that talk about lions being able to smell you when you're afraid wasn't any rubbish either. It's true, I promise. In fact, it's a lot like being able to smell when a dog or other animal is nervous or scared (don't believe me? Just step inside any veterinarian's office and you'll see -er, smell what I mean).
But does the smell of fear make us afraid? Not necessarily. Oftentimes, if anything, the smell of fear can serve as a warning, indicating that all is not hunky-dorey and that you might want to keep a look out. I've wondered if this is why some people think watching horror films in the theatre makes them so much scarier. Perhaps it's not the surround sound and ten-foo image that does it, but rather the encouragement to trepidation by all of the fear you can smell from the people around you. You egg each other on, so to speak.
What has been proven to induce true fear, however, are panic pheromones. In studies with colonial animals which rely heavily on group communication (such as bees, and ants -that and an ant farm makes a much simpler test subject than a group of meerkcats) the release of panic pheromones, and even synthetic imitations of these pheromones, can almost instantaneously unsettle all of the animals in proximity. Such forms of unspoken communication evolved specifically to spread the message of danger quickly and in no uncertain terms.
Now, I'll admit I'm much less familiar with the use or even existence of such pheromones in humans... but I can't help but wonder... I mean, one might argue that, being very sociable and verbal animals, we don't need such a communication mechanism. We can scream and people usually get the picture, right? Well, sure, but then why do we still emit pheromones when we're around that girl we've got a crush on, or that really cute guy at the checkout counter? That "chemistry" people talk about having is a real thing. If we can do it in that arena, why not in horror? The existence of such unspoken communication might explain how an individual can step out into a small crowd a people and know that something is not right, without having to be told. It might be able to explain how, no matter how good they are at hiding it, we can sometimes sense someone else's worry or fear.
Granted, if chemists got to making a synthetic version of some kind of human panic pheromone, I'm sure it would be a coveted weapon among terrorists and a black market commodity among horror filmmakers alike. But it's an awful fun thought to entertain...
But does the smell of fear make us afraid? Not necessarily. Oftentimes, if anything, the smell of fear can serve as a warning, indicating that all is not hunky-dorey and that you might want to keep a look out. I've wondered if this is why some people think watching horror films in the theatre makes them so much scarier. Perhaps it's not the surround sound and ten-foo image that does it, but rather the encouragement to trepidation by all of the fear you can smell from the people around you. You egg each other on, so to speak.
What has been proven to induce true fear, however, are panic pheromones. In studies with colonial animals which rely heavily on group communication (such as bees, and ants -that and an ant farm makes a much simpler test subject than a group of meerkcats) the release of panic pheromones, and even synthetic imitations of these pheromones, can almost instantaneously unsettle all of the animals in proximity. Such forms of unspoken communication evolved specifically to spread the message of danger quickly and in no uncertain terms.
Now, I'll admit I'm much less familiar with the use or even existence of such pheromones in humans... but I can't help but wonder... I mean, one might argue that, being very sociable and verbal animals, we don't need such a communication mechanism. We can scream and people usually get the picture, right? Well, sure, but then why do we still emit pheromones when we're around that girl we've got a crush on, or that really cute guy at the checkout counter? That "chemistry" people talk about having is a real thing. If we can do it in that arena, why not in horror? The existence of such unspoken communication might explain how an individual can step out into a small crowd a people and know that something is not right, without having to be told. It might be able to explain how, no matter how good they are at hiding it, we can sometimes sense someone else's worry or fear.
Granted, if chemists got to making a synthetic version of some kind of human panic pheromone, I'm sure it would be a coveted weapon among terrorists and a black market commodity among horror filmmakers alike. But it's an awful fun thought to entertain...
3 comments:
A very good post, Penny. I've actually heard many a coach in my time remind the team not to make it "look like we're scared," because the opposition will smell fear, like dogs. What amazes me about this and infrasound is that, in large part, we have no real control over audible and odorous emissions. So even if you're trying to be smooth with your crush, your smell could give you away from the get-go.
I think it's odd that we don't see these sorts of things used more often in horror movies. There is such a tendency for gore and shock value rather than something that will truly scare you, such as a situation in which your scent attracts otherworldly horrors.
The smell of fear may very well not be the smell of art-horror... Fear is one element of the recipe, but there is no 'smell' for cognitive disgust or a sense of impurity
It really is incredible how unconsciously perceptive animals, including humans, can be to smells. In regards to monsters, the werewolf is the most advantageous in this situation. With the ability to smell the fear of their victim, this makes the job easier to find a victim that is hiding.
If "fear pheromones" could be synthesized in a lab there would be such a great market for them. There could be 4D scary movies in which pheromones were released at certain parts of the movie. They could also be used in haunted houses to conjure up more fear in the thrill seekers.
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