smells

Study: Humans Make Friends for Weird Reasons

Photo: Alba Esparza/Getty Images

A study published yesterday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explores the idea that people choose friends with similar genetic material — close enough that they could have the “same great-great-great-grandparents.”

One note in the piece explains that people who like to smell similar things are likely to be friends. For example, the authors expound, if you are genetically inclined to like the smell of a coffee shop or an ocean, you can meet like people who also enjoy those scents and make friends based on this similar smell enjoyment. Conclusion: One thing science will always confirm, bless it, is that people have been weird about stuff forever and always. 

Study: Humans Make Friends for Weird Reasons