{"id":18905,"date":"2026-05-12T12:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T12:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/?p=18905"},"modified":"2026-05-12T12:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T12:39:11","slug":"the-smell-that-some-people-perceive-before-death-what-science-says-and-why-it-happens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/2026\/05\/12\/the-smell-that-some-people-perceive-before-death-what-science-says-and-why-it-happens\/","title":{"rendered":"The smell that some people perceive before death: what science says and why it happens"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Over the years, different accounts from family members, caregivers and health professionals have coincided in a perception that usually generates concern: the appearance of a particular smell in people who are in the final stages of life. This phenomenon, often difficult to describe precisely, moves between subjective experience, clinical observation and the limits of what medical science can explain with total certainty. Addressing this topic requires care, respect, and an informative approach that avoids exaggerated or sensationalist interpretations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5148993367352938\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfill-optimized\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_4_host\">\n<div class=\"google-aiuf\" data-google-ad-efd=\"true\">\n<div class=\"goog-rentries\">\n<div><span tabindex=\"0\" role=\"heading\" aria-label=\"These are topics related to the article that might interest you\" aria-level=\"2\">Discover more<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-anno-skip goog-rentry\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" aria-label=\"Health\" data-google-vignette=\"false\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\"><span title=\"Health\">Health<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-anno-skip goog-rentry\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" aria-label=\"Science\" data-google-vignette=\"false\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\"><span title=\"Science\">Science<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-anno-skip goog-rentry\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" aria-label=\"science\" data-google-vignette=\"false\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\"><span title=\"science\">science<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>From a medical point of view, there is no single or universal \u201csmell of death\u201d. Specialists agree that it is not an exact sign or an indicator that allows predicting the time of death. However, during advanced illnesses or situations of organ failure, the body goes through a series of physiological changes that can modify body odor and the immediate environment. These changes do not herald an imminent end, but reflect that the body no longer functions in the same way as before.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/2b07.svg\" alt=\"\u2b07\ufe0f\" \/>For more information, continue to the next page<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/2b07.svg\" alt=\"\u2b07\ufe0f\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_1_host\">\n<div class=\"google-aiuf\" data-google-ad-efd=\"true\">\n<div class=\"goog-rentries\">\n<div><span tabindex=\"0\" role=\"heading\" aria-label=\"These are topics related to the article that might interest you\" aria-level=\"2\">Discover more<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-anno-skip goog-rentry\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" aria-label=\"Health\" data-google-vignette=\"false\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\"><span title=\"Health\">Health<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-anno-skip goog-rentry\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" aria-label=\"health\" data-google-vignette=\"false\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\"><span title=\"health\">health<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"google-anno-skip goog-rentry\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"link\" aria-label=\"science\" data-google-vignette=\"false\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\"><span title=\"science\">science<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<p>One of the most mentioned processes is the alteration of metabolism. When key organs such as the liver or kidneys decrease their ability to filter and eliminate toxins, certain substances begin to accumulate in the body. Some of these compounds can be released through breath, skin, or body fluids, generating unusual aromas. Some people describe them as sweet, metallic or simply different from the usual smells of the human body.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>Changes in blood circulation, which are common in patients with serious diseases or in states of great weakness, also play a role. When blood flow to the skin and extremities is reduced, variations in temperature, humidity, and skin chemistry occur. These conditions can favor the appearance of more intense odors, especially if the person remains at prolonged rest or with very limited mobility.<\/p>\n<p>Another relevant factor is the decrease in appetite and fluid intake, which is common in the final stages of many diseases. Dehydration and fasting change the way the body gets energy, which can generate volatile compounds that are noticeable in the breath or environment. These odors do not represent a danger to those who accompany the patient, but they are a sign of an organism that is going through a situation of extreme fragility.<\/p>\n<p>Human perception also plays a key role. In contexts of emotional stress, anticipatory grief or constant worry, the senses are usually more alert. The brain, when faced with significant situations, can intensify stimuli or associate them with critical moments. Thus, a smell that would otherwise go unnoticed can take on a special meaning when experiencing a situation of farewell or uncertainty.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>In different cultures, this phenomenon has been interpreted from symbolic or spiritual perspectives. However, from an informational and scientific perspective, it is important to separate personal beliefs from verifiable facts. So far, there is no solid evidence that confirms the presence of a specific smell capable of directly announcing the death of a person at a given time. What is observed are gradual processes linked to physical deterioration.<\/p>\n<p>see the continuation on the next page<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-luminous-vivid-orange-color has-text-color\"><strong>read more in next page<!--nextpage--><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the field of palliative care, professionals are prepared to identify these changes as indicators that the patient requires greater comfort, adequate hygiene and comprehensive accompaniment. Simple measures such as keeping the environment ventilated, taking care of the skin and respecting the needs of the patient contribute to both their well-being and that of those around them.<\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<p>Talking about this topic with clear information helps reduce fear and confusion. The smell that some people perceive before death is not a supernatural mystery or an exact sign, but the result of complex biological processes combined with the way human beings interpret changes in moments of high emotional charge. Understanding it from an informed perspective allows us to go through these situations with greater calm, empathy and respect, always prioritizing care and dignity at the end of life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-luminous-vivid-orange-color has-text-color\">\n<div id=\"aswift_1_host\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_1_host\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Over the years, different accounts from family members, caregivers and health professionals have coincided in a perception that usually generates&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18906,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18905","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18905"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18905\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18907,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18905\/revisions\/18907"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/quickmeals.milaf.ma\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}