Odors modulate self face perception and frontal ERP responses

Abstract

The face is crucial for social interactions, as it conveys various personal characteristics and influences social judgments. Although previous studies have demonstrated that odors can modulate facial perception and evaluation, these investigations largely focused on others’ faces (other-face). The neural mechanisms underlying self-face perception remain less explored. This study examined how odors differing in pleasantness modulate self-face perception and associated neural responses measured via event-related potentials (ERPs). Thirty-one healthy participants (14 women, 17 men) evaluated their self-faces after exposure to a neutral odor (lavender), an unpleasant odor (isovaleric acid), or solvent control (control). Exposure to isovaleric acid, compared with air and lavender, significantly reduced self-face attractiveness and preference ratings. Beyond these behavioral effects, we observed odor-related modulation of ERP amplitude and latency across multiple time windows, and Positive potential (PP) amplitude in the 300–600 ms interval was positively associated with self-face preference and attractiveness. These neural responses correlated with subjective self-evaluations, highlighting a critical period for affective self-assessment influenced by olfactory stimuli. These results suggest that odors modulate self-face perception and frontal ERP responses. Our findings suggest that everyday olfactory environments subtly shape self-perception, underscoring the broader impact of odors on social and psychological functioning.