Science March 2014 PMID 24653035

Humans can discriminate more than 1 trillion olfactory stimuli.

C Bushdid, M O Magnasco, L B Vosshall, A Keller

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Mentions

63
Peak: 9 in Aug 2026
across 8 sources since Mar 2014

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48,554
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1,630

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Mar 2014 – Oct 2026

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collection reads as a mixed, research-focused discussion about the claim that humans can discriminate over 1 trillion olfactory stimuli. Several posts express curiosity and cite sources (Bushdid et al. 2014; PubMed links; an erratum), while others simply share the headline or related discussions. The tone is cautious but intrigued, with technical references and cross-language mentions. Word choice like “mindboggling,” “dimensionality of odor space,” and explicit citations shape a thoughtful but not confrontational conversation. Overall, the discourse treats the article as part of ongoing scientific dialogue, rather than a heated debate.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

Overall neutral to mildly curious sentiment; no explicit endorsement or rejection of the article’s claim is strong.

InterestModerate interest

Many posts show curiosity, cites sources, and references related work, indicating notable interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Responses range from simple acknowledgments to references and retweets, showing moderate engagement but not deep debate.

ImpactModerate impact

The posts acknowledge the finding and its significance, with some skepticism or calls for verification, suggesting a moderate perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

  • Humans can discriminate over 1 trillion different olfactory stimuli, far exceeding previous estimates and demonstrating the incredible capacity of our sense of smell.
  • While humans can distinguish millions of colors and hundreds of thousands of tones, the number of observable olfactory stimuli was previously unknown and often underestimated.
  • The study showed that the human olfactory system, with its many receptors, is exceptionally good at differentiating a vast array of odor mixtures, highlighting its superiority compared to other senses.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Prof.Dr.AytugAltundag
@aytugaltundag · X

Onbinden fazla kokuyu aldığı düşünülen insanın, kokuları oluşturan moleküllerin kimyasal yapısı ve koku alma reseptörleri arasındaki ilişkiler ortaya konularak 1 trilyondan daha fazla kokuyu ayırtedebildiği ortaya konmuştu. #olfactory https://t.co/11e5mzP8Lw

Sep 17, 2022 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 3,824 followers View post →
ミクロコスモス
@Daphnia_t_ponyo · X

これ気になったのでいろいろ調べてみた まず、ヒトが一兆の異なる匂いを判別できると主張した論文はBushdid et al., 2014 https://t.co/TXylusl1aR https://t.co/iYAfPVNZiW

Aug 25, 2025 · 4 likes · 2,996 followers View post →
DisruptiveConcepts
@DisruptConcept · X

Humans Can Discriminate More than 1 Trillion Olfactory Stimuli https://t.co/zExmpIlypJ

Mar 17, 2024 · 2 likes · 2,903 followers View post →
Tessa Green
@the_tessallator · X

@xuanalogue Loosely related--you might enjoy this argument about the dimensionality of odor space https://t.co/SMmJa3Veis https://t.co/rqyyAPJqa2 both taking issue with DOI: 10.1126/science.1249168

Jun 7, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 874 followers View post →
xuan (ɕɥɛn / sh-yen)
@xuanalogue · X

RT @the_tessallator: @xuanalogue Loosely related--you might enjoy this argument about the dimensionality of odor space https://t.co/SMmJa3V…

Jun 7, 2022 · 1 share · 8,667 followers View post →
Rishab Gupta, MD
@RishabGupta_84 · X

Mindboggling number if true: https://t.co/EEDcTVmbx8

Jul 16, 2025 · 550 followers View post →

All mentions

Humans Can Detect Over 1 Trillion Odors

We can discriminate well beyond previous estimates, with the olfactory system distinguishing an immense array of odor mixtures. This video explains how our nose and receptors enable superior scent discrimination…

BDB Productions · Jul 17, 2026 3 views
Fact Archives
@TheFactArchives · X

? Source: Science (AAAS) / Rockefeller University ? https://t.co/ghBEBQfBcy Follow @TheFactArchives for daily facts that are stranger than fiction ?

Apr 27, 2026 · 4 followers View post →
ミクロコスモス
@Daphnia_t_ponyo · X

これ気になったのでいろいろ調べてみた まず、ヒトが一兆の異なる匂いを判別できると主張した論文はBushdid et al., 2014 https://t.co/TXylusl1aR https://t.co/iYAfPVNZiW

Aug 25, 2025 · 4 likes · 2,996 followers View post →
Rishab Gupta, MD
@RishabGupta_84 · X

Mindboggling number if true: https://t.co/EEDcTVmbx8

Jul 16, 2025 · 550 followers View post →
Michael Bench-Cauldron
@mikebenchcapon.bsky.social · Bluesky

Apparently it's this pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24653035/

Dec 15, 2024 View post →
DisruptiveConcepts
@DisruptConcept · X

Humans Can Discriminate More than 1 Trillion Olfactory Stimuli https://t.co/zExmpIlypJ

Mar 17, 2024 · 2 likes · 2,903 followers View post →
Sciences
@sciences.skyfleet.blue · Bluesky

Erratum for the Report “Humans can discriminate more than 1 trillion olfactory stimuli” by C. Bushdid et al.

Feb 22, 2024 View post →
Sheikh Abdur Raheem Ali
@Sheikheddy · X

Jeong, S. K., Xu, Y. (2016). Behaviorally relevant abstract object identity representation in the human parietal cortex. J Neurosci 36:1607-1619. Asari H, Meister M (2012). Divergence of visual channels in the inner retina. Nat Neurosci 15:1581-9. Rao RPN, Ballard DH (1999).

Nov 29, 2023 · 487 followers View post →
Haglund_Group
@GroupHaglund · X

Ref: Source: Bushdid, C., Magnasco, M. O., Vosshall, L. B., & Keller, A. (2014). Humans can discriminate more than 1 trillion olfactory stimuli. Science, 343(6177), 1370-1372. doi:10.1126/science.1249168

Apr 7, 2023 · 32 followers View post →
Karoyan Philippe
@KaroyanPhilippe · X

@brusicor02 @universcience @palaisdecouvert J’avais raconté cette histoire en cours de Master et une des étudiantes était partie aux US a NY en s’interressàt au problème. Elle avait fait une étude remarquable ici: https://t.co/R3Nnnzyf4i

Jan 14, 2023 · 401 followers View post →
Gonca Doğan
@GoncaDoan15 · X

RT @aytugaltundag: Onbinden fazla kokuyu aldığı düşünülen insanın, kokuları oluşturan moleküllerin kimyasal yapısı ve koku alma reseptörler…

Sep 18, 2022 · 2 shares · 203 followers View post →
Prof.Dr.AytugAltundag
@aytugaltundag · X

Onbinden fazla kokuyu aldığı düşünülen insanın, kokuları oluşturan moleküllerin kimyasal yapısı ve koku alma reseptörleri arasındaki ilişkiler ortaya konularak 1 trilyondan daha fazla kokuyu ayırtedebildiği ortaya konmuştu. #olfactory https://t.co/11e5mzP8Lw

Sep 17, 2022 · 5 likes · 2 shares · 3,824 followers View post →
xuan (ɕɥɛn / sh-yen)
@xuanalogue · X

RT @the_tessallator: @xuanalogue Loosely related--you might enjoy this argument about the dimensionality of odor space https://t.co/SMmJa3V…

Jun 7, 2022 · 1 share · 8,667 followers View post →
Tessa Green
@the_tessallator · X

@xuanalogue Loosely related--you might enjoy this argument about the dimensionality of odor space https://t.co/SMmJa3Veis https://t.co/rqyyAPJqa2 both taking issue with DOI: 10.1126/science.1249168

Jun 7, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 874 followers View post →
PaulRVParenz
@paul_rvp · X

Humans Can Discriminate More than 1 Trillion Olfactory Stimuli https://t.co/XUQOjwEz5r

Oct 14, 2019 · 398 followers View post →
PaulRVParenz
@paul_rvp · X

Humans Can Discriminate More than 1 Trillion Olfactory Stimuli https://t.co/XUQOjwEz5r

Oct 11, 2019 · 398 followers View post →
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Science, 343(6177), 1370–1372. https://doi.org/10.1126/science. 1249168 * Meister, M. (2020). On the dimensionality of odor space. eLife, 9, e57221. * Bak ...

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