Charles J. Wysocki

Member

Education

Ph.D., Psychobiology (Neuroscience), Florida State University

Research Summary

Individuals differ quite substantially in their ability to smell myriad odorants. In some instances a person may not be able to detect an odor when others in the group can clearly perceive it. In other situations all may detect an odor but there is considerable disagreement about what it smells like. I explore this variation at different levels of analyses, e.g., genetic influences, gender differences and the impacts of age and the environment on odor perception. In another area of research I have explored the effects of body odor on the physiology and behavior of individuals who are exposed to the odor. Even among humans there is mounting evidence that we communicate information about ourselves to others via pheromones (chemical communication), often at a subconscious level. This information can be used to identify individuals, to alter hormone systems and to modify mood and emotion.

Keywords

olfaction, vomereonasal, chemical communication, pheromones, intranasal, chemesthesis, psychophysics, behavioral genetics, adaptation/cross-adaptation, behavioral neuroscience, histology

Recent Publications

Wysocki, C. J., Louie, J., Leyden, J. J., Blank, D., Gill, M., Smith, L. et al. (2009, electronic publication). Cross-adaptation of a model human stress-related odor with fragrance chemicals and ethyl esters of axillary odorants: gender-specific effects. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. doi:10.1002/ffj.1927

Wysocki, C. J. & Preti, G. (2009). Pheromones in mammals. In L.R.Squire (Ed.), Encylcopedia of Neuroscience, volume 7 (pp. 625-632). Oxford: Academic Press.

Gallagher, M., Wysocki, C. J., Leyden, J. J., Spielman, A. I., Sun, X., & Preti, G. (2008). Analyses of volatile organic compounds from human skin. British Journal of Dermatology, 159, 780-791.

Lundstrom, J. N., Wysocki, C. J., Olsson, M. J., Yamazaki, K., & Preti, G. (2008). Explaining the association between kinship and fertility. Science, 320, 1160-1161.

Sergeant, M. J. T., Louie, J., & Wysocki, C. J. (2008). The influence of sexual orientation on human olfactory function. In J.Benyon, J. Hurst, C. Roberts, & T. Wyatt (Eds.), Advances in Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (pp. 121-130). New York: Springer.

Wise, P. M., Bien, N., & Wysocki, C. J. (2008, electronic publication). Two rapid odor threshold methods compared to a modified method of constant stimuli. Chemosensory Perception. DOI 10.1007/s12078-008-9010-8.

Wheeler, E. F., Topper, P. A., Graves, R. E., Bruns, M. A., & Wysocki, C. J. (2007). Odor-reduction performance of constructed wetland treating diluted swine manure. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 23, 621-630.

Wise, P. M., Toczydlowski, S. E., & Wysocki, C. J. (2007). Temporal integration in nasal lateralization of homologous alcohols. Toxicological Sciences, 99, 254-259.

Wise, P. M., Canty, T. M., & Wysocki, C. J. (2006). Temporal integration in nasal lateralization of ethanol. Chemical Senses 31, 227-235.

Martins, Y., Preti, G., Crabtree, C. R., & Wysocki, C. J. (2005). Preference for human body odors is influenced by gender and sexual orientation. Psychological Science, 16, 694-701.

McManus, I. C. & Wysocki, C. J. (2005). Left-handers have a lower prevalence of arthritis and ulcer. Laterality, 10, 97-102.

Wise, P. M., Canty, T. M., & Wysocki, C. J. (2005). Temporal integration of nasal irritation from ammonia at threshold and supra-threshold levels. Toxicological Sciences, 87, 223-231.