title: Olfactory stimulation curbs food cravings.
abstract: Based on the logic of mutual competition between cravings and odours for limited-capacity resources, this study investigated whether a simple olfactory task, involving a brief odour exposure, could reduce food cravings. In support, Experiment 1 showed that smelling a neutral unfamiliar odorant reduced cravings for highly desired food items, relative to a comparison auditory task and a no-task control condition. Experiment 2 replicated these findings specifically for chocolate cravings, which can be particularly problematic. Thus olfactory stimulation offers potential scope for curbing unwanted food cravings.
authors: Flinders University, Australia. Electronic address: Eva.Kemps@flinders.edu.au.
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Kemps
authors: Flinders University, Australia.
authors: Marika
authors: M
authors: Tiggemann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects*; D002099:Cacao; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation / Q000187:drug effects; D009812:Odorants; D010470:Perceptual Masking; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D057566:Self Report; D012903:Smell; D055815:Young Adult