Daniel Hepburn
Have you ever let one rip and carried on with your daily life? Or instead smelt it and enjoyed it?
Believe or not, there is actually scientific reasoning behind why you like the smell of your own farts. So don’t worry, you’re not on your own.
However, other people's flatulence is a completely different matter, except if you have a particular niche fetish... Not for one moment are we suggesting that you should sit there constantly wafting your own, of course, but instead we are saying they are more appealing to you because, you know, science.
NewScientist took to Twitter to see if people agreed, and whether they thought the one’s own farts smell more tolerable compared to others.
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Users of Twitter came back in good spirits, providing personal stories and reasons why they either like or dislike the smells they create.
One even recommended finding a furry companion in the shape of a Labrador to live with, with reference to their dog's gases being just unbearable.
The evidence has been confirmed in a blind smell test by scientists, and it seems the bacteria that creates the pungent smell is unique to each person, and therefore becomes bearable to the individual over time.
If you find yourself still turning your nose up and feeling like you’re about to throw up when you let one rip, it’s likely your food is to blame.
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It may be time for less beef, egg, baked beans and other foods high in sulphur.
A sense of familiarity is also behind why we like our own farts more than others. On its own that may sound weird but there’s more truth to it than first thought.
This isn’t the same when someone else breaks wind and you happen to smell it. Your brain will detect something trying to harm you and set up defence mechanisms as a way of protection.
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When you think about it, whether it is milk past its use-by date, rotting food or sewage, most bad smells are not good for you and the less exposure to them, the better.
The main disease you are being protected from is Streptococcus pyogenes, a disease that can be caused by one singular fart. In other words, farts can be very powerful.
Dispersed by poop particles, the disease can cause both tonsillitis and flesh eating disease. Grim, right?
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What may seem to you as relieving some pressure may be fairly harmful to others around you. Perhaps think about the next time you let one go in a car with the windows up.