Not So Fast: Searching for Behavioral Effects of Putrescine in Direct and Conceptual Replications of Wisman and Shrira (2015)

Abstract

Understanding olfactory signal perception in humans is important for advancing basic scientific questions about the role of odor in cognitive and social processes. Here we review animal research on behavioral consequences of exposure to putrescine, a trace amine found in bodily tissues and which is produced by decay processes. Wisman and Shrira (2015) exposed human participants to putrescine and other aversive substance odors, gathered hedonic ratings, and reported heightened vigilance and increased threat and escape-related cognitions and behavior in putrescine conditions. In Wisman & Shrira and the present experiments, participants and experimenters were blind to substance condition. We conducted a direct replication of Wisman and Shrira’s supraliminal exposure ratings and walking speed studies (Experiments 2 and 3) and a conceptual replication of a subliminal presentation defensive threat effect found in their Experiment 4. In our direct replication, putrescine and ammonia were rated similarly on intensity and repugnance, matching results obtained by Wisman and Shrira. Putrescine exposure was not associated with increased walking speed. In our conceptual replication, low-level putrescine exposure was not associated with ratings of potential aggressiveness of white and Black facial targets. Whether putrescine exposure reliably elicits threat-related cognition and behavior deserves further investigation.