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Why Am I Like This?

How Did We Evolve a Sense of Smell?

Season 1 Episode 1 | 10m 38s

Have you ever stopped mid-task from catching a whiff of your own odor? It really gets you thinking— why DO we smell in the first place? In this episode, Dr. Tina Lasisi walks us through how our brain processes smell; why we associate smells with certain memories; why we developed our sense of smell in the first place; and how losing our sense of smell can impact our daily life.

Aired: 07/20/22
Funding for WHY AM I LIKE THIS is provided by the National Science Foundation.
Extras
Watch • 7:48
Why Am I Like This?
Why Does My Voice Sound Like This?
We explore how the structure of our vocal tract produces sound and why humans speak.
Episode: S1 E8 | 7:48
Watch • 12:13
Why Am I Like This?
Can We Change Our Body Type?
We walk through the types of muscles and hormones that transform the body.
Episode: S1 E7 | 12:13
Watch • 8:03
Why Am I Like This?
Can Humans Change Their Sleep Cycle?
Dr. Tina Lasisi walks us through the peaks and valleys of our circadian rhythm.
Episode: S1 E6 | 8:03
Watch • 10:55
Why Am I Like This?
Why Do We Get Allergies? (And Are They Really Necessary?)
Let's walk through how our immune system evolved and what affects our allergies.
Episode: S1 E5 | 10:55
Watch • 9:31
Why Am I Like This?
Where Does Our Stress Come From?
We explore the evolutionary function of stress.
Episode: S1 E4 | 9:31
Watch • 9:46
Why Am I Like This?
Why Do We Have Different Hair Types?
We walk through why hair varies so much across all humans.
Episode: S1 E3 | 9:46
Watch • 9:20
Why Am I Like This?
Where Does My Skin Color Come From?
In this episode, Dr. Tina Lasisi walks us through how we genetically inherit skin color.
Episode: S1 E2 | 9:20
Latest Episodes
Watch • 7:48
Why Am I Like This?
Why Does My Voice Sound Like This?
We explore how the structure of our vocal tract produces sound and why humans speak.
Episode: S1 E8 | 7:48
Watch • 12:13
Why Am I Like This?
Can We Change Our Body Type?
We walk through the types of muscles and hormones that transform the body.
Episode: S1 E7 | 12:13
Watch • 8:03
Why Am I Like This?
Can Humans Change Their Sleep Cycle?
Dr. Tina Lasisi walks us through the peaks and valleys of our circadian rhythm.
Episode: S1 E6 | 8:03
Watch • 10:55
Why Am I Like This?
Why Do We Get Allergies? (And Are They Really Necessary?)
Let's walk through how our immune system evolved and what affects our allergies.
Episode: S1 E5 | 10:55
Watch • 9:31
Why Am I Like This?
Where Does Our Stress Come From?
We explore the evolutionary function of stress.
Episode: S1 E4 | 9:31
Watch • 9:46
Why Am I Like This?
Why Do We Have Different Hair Types?
We walk through why hair varies so much across all humans.
Episode: S1 E3 | 9:46
Watch • 9:20
Why Am I Like This?
Where Does My Skin Color Come From?
In this episode, Dr. Tina Lasisi walks us through how we genetically inherit skin color.
Episode: S1 E2 | 9:20