Some people enjoy the sharp, slightly sweet chemical aroma of gasoline. Scientific studies suggest that the reason lies in nostalgia.
According to Discover, the characteristic smell of gasoline is associated with benzene. This substance is added to gasoline to increase the octane rating, which in turn improves engine performance and fuel efficiency.
Benzene has a naturally sweet aroma that is particularly sensitive to most people. Its sharp smell is so strong that it can be easily recognized even in small concentrations.
Some people likely derive pleasure from the smell of benzene because smells and memories are closely intertwined. This phenomenon is known as the “Proust phenomenon,” named after the writer Marcel Proust, who described in his novel “In Search of Lost Time” how the taste and aroma of a cookie soaked in lime tea awaken pleasant childhood memories.
The olfactory bulb is directly connected to the amygdala (which is responsible for emotional responses) and the hippocampus (which plays a key role in memory formation). This means that smells can evoke emotional reactions in a person.
Therefore, the smell of gasoline can elicit positive emotions. The brain associates it with joyful childhood memories of summer trips, riding bicycles on country roads, or spending time in the garage while dad worked on the car.
Moreover, unlike many other scents (such as cookies), benzene literally activates the nervous system, which can induce mild pleasure.
While nostalgia and pleasant sensations during refueling are unlikely to lead to serious health issues, it is important to remember that regular inhalation of gasoline vapors can have serious consequences, such as confusion, persistent headaches, dementia, and acute kidney failure. Inhaling gasoline vapors in large amounts can also lead to fatal outcomes.
