Noseconsciousness

Noseconsciousness is a term used in discussions of olfactory perception to denote the threshold at which olfactory information enters conscious awareness or, more broadly, the scope of experiences that constitute conscious olfaction. The term combines nose and consciousness to emphasize smell as a modality that can be experienced subjectively.

Overview: Odor detection begins with olfactory receptors, with signals passing from the olfactory bulb to higher cortical areas such as the piriform cortex and orbitofrontal cortex, as well as limbic structures. A large portion of olfactory processing occurs without explicit attention. Subliminal or unattended olfactory processing can influence mood, memory, and behavior even when a person does not report smelling anything. Noseconsciousness refers to the portion of olfactory processing that becomes part of conscious experience, including the perceived character of an odor, its intensity, hedonic value, and associated memories.

Philosophical questions: Noseconsciousness raises questions about whether odor perception is inherently conscious or can be fully unconscious until activated by attention. It engages debates about the distinctions between access consciousness and phenomenal experience, and how attention modulates olfactory awareness.

Empirical findings: Research indicates that odor awareness increases with attention and stimulus intensity, and neuroimaging shows olfactory cortex involvement during both conscious and unconscious exposure. The boundary between conscious nose experiences and unconscious olfactory processing is variable across contexts and individuals.

Criticism and scope: Because noseconsciousness is not a widely standardized term, some scholars prefer to frame olfactory awareness using established concepts in consciousness research and olfaction literature.

See also: Olfaction, Consciousness, Subliminal perception, Anosmia, Olfactory imagery.