Assistance dogs may detect PTSD flashbacks via breath

Mar 28 2024Frontiers Dogs' sensitive noses can detect the early warning signs of many potentially dangerous medical situations, like an impending seizure or sudden hypoglycemia. Now, scientists have found evidence that assistance dogs might even be able to sniff out an oncoming PTSD flashback, by teaching two dogs to alert to the breath of people who have been reminded of traumas.

All humans have a 'scent profile' of volatile organic compounds -; molecules emitted by the body in secretions like sweat -; influenced by our genetics, age, activities, and other variables. There is some evidence that dogs may be capable of detecting VOCs linked to human stress. However, no studies have investigated whether dogs could learn to detect VOCs associated with PTSD symptoms.

In the meantime, the scientists recruited 25 pet dogs to train in scent-detection. Only two were skilled and motivated enough to complete the study: Ivy and Callie.

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Study shows dogs may be able to sniff out an oncoming PTSD flashbackDogs' sensitive noses can detect the early warning signs of many potentially dangerous medical situations, like an impending seizure or sudden hypoglycemia.
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