Body odor is a a natural phenomenon caused by the breaking down of sweat by bacteria on the skin. Body odor is not always unpleasant, rather it is unique to each person. These odours aren't random; they tell us a lot about a person. But this is different from when we have a ‘signature scent’ or favorite perfume. Body odors can give clues about what we've eaten, if we're sick, or even how we're feeling. Scientists have found that people can sometimes guess someone's personality just by their scent. Here are some things that affect our body odor.

Everyday Factors That Impact Your Body Odor

Stress triggers an increased production of sweat from specific glands, which, when combined with bacteria, can result in an unpleasant odor. Furthermore, clothing made from synthetic materials, such as polyester, tends to retain odors more effectively than natural fabrics like cotton. Surprisingly, research suggests that individuals may perceive the body odor of others as more appealing if they share similar political beliefs. Finally, it's been observed that the human body may emit a distinct scent when experiencing fear, potentially acting as a detectable pheromone.

Spicy Foods

The Cleveland clinic explains that when you eat spicy foods, the strong smells can stick around in your mouth and even come out in your sweat. Foods like garlic and onions release chemicals that smell like sulfur, which can make your breath and body odor stronger. Also, foods with capsaicin, like hot peppers, can make you sweat more. To help with garlic breath, you can try eating apples, mint, or lettuce. They can help neutralize the bad smells.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli, which some people didn't like as kids, release strong-smelling chemicals when you digest them. The Cleveland clinic explains these chemicals can make your sweat smell for up to six hours. But these veggies are healthy, so don't avoid them. You can lessen the smell by cooking them in salted water.

Meat Consumption

A 2006 study published in the Chemical Senses showed that people who eat a lot of meat might have a less pleasant body odor than those who eat more vegetables. The amino acids in red meat can leave a residue in the intestines during digestion. Meat can be harder to digest than other foods, and the body may work harder to process it, potentially leading to increased perspiration from sweat glands.

Medical Conditions That Can Cause More Body Odor

Diabetes

If your breath smells fruity, like nail polish remover, it could be a sign of a serious problem with diabetes. In a compilation of diseases by the Cleveland Clinic they explained that diabetes affects body odor. This happens when your body burns fat for energy because it doesn't have enough insulin.

Sleep Apnea

If you have bad breath in the morning, snore a lot, and feel sleepy during the day, you might have sleep apnea. This is when you stop breathing for short periods while you sleep. Mouth breathing during sleep can cause bad breath.

Ear Infections

Foul-smelling earwax may indicate an ear infection or other ear-related ailment. Avoid using cotton swabs to clean ears, as this can worsen the issue. Consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Trimethylaminuria (TMAU)

Trimethylaminuria is a rare genetic disorder that prevents the body from properly processing certain foods. This results in the emission of a distinct fishy or garbage-like body odor, impacting social and psychological well-being.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released three reports on Thursday that highlighted the clusters of medetomidine-related cases in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. These reports have raised alarm about the growing presence of this drug in street opioids and the potential complications it brings to treatment and recovery.

What Is Medetomidine?

As per the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), it is an alpha-2 agonist, similar to clonidine and xylazine, that is used clinically as a sedative and analgesic. It is categorized as an NPS due to its novelty in use. The CDC in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report notes that it is a canine veterinary agent used for its anesthetic and analgesic properties.

However, the National Library of Medicine's study titled Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Medetomidine has noted that this drug "has recently been detected in the illicit drug supply alongside fentanyl, xylazine, cocaine, and heroin, producing pronounced sedative effective that are not reversed by naloxone."

As per the latest CDC report released on May 1, twelve confirmed and 26 probable cases of medetomidine-involved overdose occurred in Chicago. Fentanyl was present in all blood specimens and drug samples that tested positive for medetomidine.

It was first identified in North America’s illicit opioid market in 2022, medetomidine is now showing up more frequently in mixtures with synthetic opioids—particularly fentanyl, the drug driving most overdose deaths in the U.S.

Why Is This Worrisome?

In May 2023, Chicago officials noticed a spike in overdose cases where naloxone—the standard overdose-reversal medication—did not work as expected. After investigation, the city's health department confirmed 12 cases involving medetomidine, with over 160 more suspected or probable cases, including one potential death. This marks the largest known medetomidine cluster to date.

The two other CDC reports focused on medetomidine withdrawal. In Philadelphia, testing revealed medetomidine in 72% of illegal opioid samples collected in late 2023, overtaking xylazine in frequency. Patients exposed to medetomidine experienced a distinctive type of drug withdrawal that didn’t respond to usual medications for fentanyl or xylazine. However, a related medication called dexmedetomidine showed some success in managing symptoms.

Pittsburgh reported 10 similar cases around the same time, suggesting the issue is not isolated to one area but may be spreading through regional drug supplies.

Why Does It Matter?

The presence of sedatives like medetomidine in illicit opioids creates several public health challenges:

Reduced effectiveness of naloxone: Standard treatment protocols for overdoses may not work when sedatives are involved, increasing the risk of death.

Complicated withdrawals: The addition of new, unregulated substances alters the withdrawal process, often making it harder to treat.

Lack of awareness and testing: Many emergency responders and clinics do not routinely test for medetomidine, which could delay proper care.

This development adds a new layer to the already complex U.S. opioid crisis. As drug suppliers continue to mix opioids with a variety of sedatives and adulterants, health officials face an evolving battle. Experts stress the importance of broader toxicology screening, continued research, and expanding the availability of alternative treatments like dexmedetomidine.

While medetomidine isn’t yet as widespread as fentanyl or xylazine, its growing presence in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh points to a potentially dangerous trend—one that will require urgent attention from both medical professionals and policymakers.

Receiving a vaccine booster in the same arm as the first dose triggers a faster and stronger immune response and helps the body build protection faster, a new study from Australian scientists has revealed. The findings could help improve vaccine strategies and may eventually lead to vaccines that need fewer boosters. The study was published in the journal Cell and finds that the immune system responds more quickly when both doses are given in the same arm.

Why Will It Work?

Researchers discovered this effect first in mice, then confirmed it in a clinical study involving 30 people who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Those who had both doses in the same arm developed faster and more effective protection, especially against COVID-19 variants like Delta and Omicron. While both groups ended up with similar antibody levels after four weeks, the same-arm group gained protection more quickly, a potential game-changer during pandemic outbreaks.

"If you've had your COVID jabs in different arms, don't worry, our research shows that over time the difference in protection diminishes," said the study's co-senior author, Mee Ling Munier from the Kirby Institute.

How Do Vaccines Work?

Microplastics pose a danger to the heart. While there is enough evidence to show that they clog arteries and exacerbate the risk of stroke, recent research has found that these teeny particles of plastic can trigger cardiovascular diseases. It is estimated that chemicals in plastic were linked to nearly 350,000 heart disease deaths across the world in 2018. Adding to that, is this study published in the journal eBioMedicine, which estimated that roughly 13 per cent of cardiovascular deaths among 55- to 64-year-olds worldwide that year could be attributed to phthalates.

Where Are Phthalates are esters of phthalic acids, which are added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity. They are found in personal care products like shampoos and lotions as well as in food containers and packaging. It is also possible to injest them through food, absorb them through skin from products containing them or breathe them from dust.

Some studies have shown an association between phthalates and cardiovascular disease, but there isn’t strong evidence to show that the chemicals directly cause heart issues, said Sung Kyun Park, a professor of epidemiology and environmental sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. However, there is enough evidence that states that phthalates increase the risk of metabolic disorders like obesity and Type 2 diabetes, which can cause cardiovascular disease. One way phthalates may do this is by increasing oxidative stress—cell and tissue damage that happens when there are too many unstable molecules in the body—and by promoting inflammation.

Microplastics: Explained

Microplastics are extremely small particles—often less than five millimetres in size—created when larger pieces of plastic break down. They can enter the human body in multiple ways: through the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even skin contact. An even smaller subset, known as nanoplastics, measures under 1,000 nanometers and is completely invisible to the naked eye. Because of their minuscule size, these particles can infiltrate tissues, organs, and potentially disrupt biological functions.

One Simple Way To Mitigate Risk Of Microplastics

Amid growing concerns about microplastic contamination, especially in drinking water, scientists have been working on practical ways to mitigate exposure. In 2024, a research team from Guangzhou Medical Centre made a breakthrough. They discovered that a common household activity—boiling water—can significantly reduce microplastic content in tap water.

According to the team, combining boiling with basic filtration can remove up to 90% of nanoplastic and microplastic particles (NMPs) from household water. However, the method’s effectiveness varied depending on the type of water used. In areas where tap water contains higher mineral content, commonly referred to as "hard water," the technique proved especially efficient.

The secret lies in limescale. As hard water is heated, it forms limescale—a chalky white substance—which appears to create a sticky layer that traps microplastic fragments. Researchers found this natural process enhanced the removal of plastic particles from water, offering a practical and affordable solution for most households.

While more research is needed to fully understand the long-term health effects of microplastics, early evidence suggests they may be more dangerous than previously thought—especially for cardiovascular health.