Research paper
Sorokowska A, Schoen K, Hummel C, Han P, Warr J, Hummel T. Food-Related Odors Activate Dopaminergic Brain Areas. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2017 Dec 19;11:625. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2017.00625. PMID: 29311879. PMCID: PMC5742189.
Why we cite it
Provides fMRI evidence that food-related odors specifically activate dopaminergic brain areas (anterior cingulate cortex, insula, putamen) compared to non-food odors, with edibility rather than pleasantness or intensity driving the activation. Demonstrates that hunger further activates the ventral tegmental area in response to olfactory stimulation.