It is not uncommon to hear family members talk about a loved one who has passed away. One interesting and surprising anecdote often heard is a person’s behavior prior to dy+ing like; saying goodbye, getting closure on troubled relationships, and even giving away prized possessions. It seems they may know something before anyone else does.

However, some may argue it is a coincidence, while others are confident – people know when dᴇαth is near.

It is natural to try and understand the dᴇαth of someone we love or just imagine what happens in those final moments. Scientists know when someone di+es, the body immediately begins to disintegrate.

Putrescine, for example, is a foul and toxic scent; the result of decomposition. Researchers have come to realize humans subconsciously recognize this putrefying odor. Not only that, the scent, when released, causes an immediate response.

ANIMALS HAVE THE ABILITY TO SMELL THE SCENT OF OTHERS, PROMPTING THEM TO REACT ACCORDINGLY.

This is identical to sensing danger, whether from a predator or stronger and bigger animal from their pack.

A study conducted by Arnaud Wisman from the University of Kent’s School of Psychology in Canterbury, UK and Ilan Shira from the Department of Behavioral Sciences in Arkansas’ Tech University in Russellville, AK have discovered animals and humans might not be so different after all.

The ability to detect chemical scents is part of survival across the species. The threat of dᴇαth is revealed through smell to humans.

PUTRESCINE IS A CHEMICAL COMPOUND RELEASED WHEN A BODY DECAYS.

It also has a secondary function as a warning signal. People have both a conscious and subconscious reaction when they are exposed to this scent.

There were four different experiments conducted using putrescine, ammonia, and water to study people’s reaction.

One of the experiments included putrescine exposed at a site, people’s immediate response was to move away from the area.