Why does petrol smell so good even if it is dangerous?

Question

What makes it so addictive to smell? Is it something in it or something about the human sense of smell?

I can't understand why something so bad for your health can smell so good.

Answer 1

everything that smellls good and tastes good isn't always good for us. remember that!!!!!!!

Answer 2

i absolutely love the smell of petrol my dream if i go to heaven is to drink petrol non stop ahhhh(: i also love the smell of diesel so much that i go to diesel galas and diesel hauled reiltours so i can smell and have my hair styled by the wonderful stuff! i think it smells nice as it is the remains of dead sea creatures. want some fish?

Answer 3

If petrol smells good to you, you need to see a doctor, immediately.  Like, tonight.

Answer 4

Have you spent a lot of time sniffing solvents? Because gasoline (petrol) smells bad to most people.

No offense, but perhaps you have spent time addicted to something like petrol and that has pushed your brain to sense them as good instead of bad.

Answer 5

I suppose that is the aromatic compounds in the fuel.  Wonderful stuff like benzene, ethylbenzene, xylene, toluene, pretty well all nasty for you and carcinogenic to boot.

I personally do not find the odor of gasoline (odour of petrol) all that pleasant, but everyone has different perceptions.

I suspect that we evolved the positive perception of these compounds in part because they are associated with cooked foods.  Lots of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in BBQ beef, for example.