Palm scent: the science of smelling after a handshake

New study reveals participants unconsciously sniff their right hand after shaking it with others as part of process to pick up chemical signals about others

A firm handshake has long been viewed as a hallmark of success in the business world, but scientists say that the scent of your hand could also play a part. A study has revealed that after shaking hands, people tend to unconsciously sniff their own right hand, which the authors believe could be a discreet way of picking up chemical signals about those around us.

Prof Noam Sobel, who led the work at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, said: "Unlike rodents, cats and dogs, it isn't socially acceptable to walk up and sniff each other. We think this is a way we've developed to collect this information in a subliminal fashion."