The Olfactory Bulb

Have you ever wondered about the olfactory bulb? A fascinating research has twisted the capacity of what this little organ is capable of! Apart from the process of olfaction and detection of odors, it also plays a very important role in insulin production as it has been found out recently. 

A research had excavated the underlying function of this organ as observed in non-obese mice versus the diabetic, obese mice. The olfactory bulb has been found to have the maximum insulin and its receptors hence insulin plays a role in smells too. There's a neurotransmitter called as GLP-1 (Glucagon like peptide-1) allows the brain to convey messages to the pancreas. Insulin is the pioneer of glucose correction within our body so the functioning of this hormone is really essential or else it could lead to disorders and problems.

So, the experiment had shown how the non-obese mice during the reduction of GLP-1 pathway, it had shown no insulin production when the mice were being attracted to the scent of a hidden peanut butter cookie. So, the blockage of the GLP-1 pathway in the olfactory bulb restricts the signal to reach the brain from the smell even though the olfactory receptors were working accurately. 

So, using the principles of pharmacology, the obese mice who showed diabetes were seen to not show any signs of insulin production and after being corrected, they could smell the cookie hidden. This showed how the stoppage of smell also stopped insulin from being produced. Hence, smell plays a huge role from not just detecting an odor but to also secretion of such vital endocrine hormones. This revelation could be the stepping stone to treat diabetes type-2 in humans too as we sear through the link between the olfactory system and insulin. 

It surprised me about how the olfactory bulb wasn't just helping in sorting out the background smells and tuning into the frequency of the scent but to also signal insulin production right before the aroma of a particular food lurks towards us when we eat. The sense of smell is a very discreet agent in functionalizing the way our bodies work and also have the capability of hedonic pleasure. It's how nature balances science (our skeleton) and the art (perfume) together. The olfactory bulb is the representation of such a case where it has the taste to appreciate a silken ribbon of an aroma sewn in juniper-dried jasmine perfume or to even get the scent of a cookie and produce a shot of insulin!