Do you ever find yourself catching a whiff of your partner's smell? Are you also someone who keeps their partner's hoodie or shirt with them so they can feel their presence through their scent? If yes, then you would be interested to know that there is actually science behind it. Karishma Khanna (name changed), 23, a researcher, who has been with her partner for over a year, says that her partner's scent makes her happy and feel calm. "When I catch her scent I not only feel happy, but there is this warm fuzzy at home sort of feeling. I am not very sure of the reason but I think it is simply the way she smells makes feel like I am in a safe space." Ishmeet, 26, a research intern, who has been with her partner for almost a year says, "Smelling her calms me down. It is almost a regulatory practice. If I am stressed, I go sniff her. If I feel overwhelmed, I sniff her. If I can smell her, my brain will think I am safe.""I am not a smell person, so I did not notice it before. But over time, when feelings developed, attraction became much stronger, their scent makes me immensely happy," says Bhoomi (name changed), 24, service designer, who has been with her partner for seven months. While Nitisha, a 25-year-old Accounts Manager, says that she noticed her partner's smell in the beginning, but when became familiar with it after she started dating. The common among all of them, whether or not they noticed any scent in the beginning, is that they all love their partners' scents. Is there any science behind it? Clinical Psychologist at LISSUN, a mental health platform, Pratishtha Rajan says that this can be explained psychologically and biologically. "Chemosensory signaling, which is how humans and other species communicate through scent, plays a significant role in attraction and bonding," she says. The Science Behind ScentsA study by Wedekind in 1995 suggests that men find the scent of women more pleasant when they are close to ovulation, potentially because our sense of smell detects fertility cues. Similarly, women tend to prefer the scent of men with different Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) genes, which may be an evolved mechanism to promote healthier offspring.Smelling a partner's scent can also provide comfort during times of separation. A 2006 study by McBurney, Shoup and Streeter revealed that 87% of women and 56% of men reported intentionally smelling their partner’s clothing to feel closer to them, with more women (72%) than men (27%) also sleeping with their partner’s clothing. "This "olfactory comfort" helps people feel emotionally connected, similar to how physical touch provides a sense of safety," notes Rajan. Rightly so, Ishmeet also expresses that she feels both, comfort and a sense of security when she smells her partner's scent. Similarly, Khanna too accepts that security and safety are two senses that she feels when she catches her partner's whiff. For Nitisha, the first thoughts that come to her mind are calmness, happiness, and sorrow, as sniffing her partner's clothes makes her miss him even more. She also feels "seductive" at times. For Bhoomi, it is lust. When asked what emotion she feels, Bhoomi says, "Always a smile accompanied by a sudden calmness and that quickly turns me into a puddle of mush." Rajan suggests that it could be due to the scents like androstanol, a male hormone-related compound, which have been found to increase women's perception of male and heighten arousal. Emotional Bonding Through Odor"Partner's scent helps reduce anxiety and negative emotions, thereby strengthening the emotional bond between partners. The comforting effect of a partner's scent highlights the deep psychological and emotional connections that can be formed through smell, reinforcing the importance of scent in maintaining close relationships," suggests Rajan. Bhoomi follows a special ritual when she is having a bad day. They cuddle and she would nuzzle on her partner, smelling them and "it is not a bad day anymore."Ishmeet says that her partner's scent influences her mood and also if they are ever in an argument, sniffing her would make Ishmeet resolve it quickly, does strengthening their bond too. How Does It Influence Your Mood?Research has shown that odor-evoked memories can significantly impact emotional and physiological responses. These memories are often associated with positive emotions, which are known to improve physical health and longevity. "Therefore, when a partner’s scent triggers positive emotional states, it can lead to favourable health outcomes for both partners," suggest Rajan. Your partner's scent can also reduce stress and anxiety, creating a sense of security and comfort. This emotional connection through scent underscores its importance in maintaining close relationships and promoting overall well-being. "The ability of scent to evoke positive emotions and memories highlights its profound impact on both mental and physical health in intimate relationships," says Rajan. So next time when you catch yourself getting a whiff of your partner's smell or stealing their hoodies. Know that there is science behind it!