ReThinking: The science of taste and smell with Rachel Herz

In this episode of ReThinking, Adam Grant, along with his wife Allison, interviews neuroscientist Rachel Herz about the science of taste and smell. They discuss Adam's supertaster status and his aversion to certain foods like chocolate, which Herz explains is likely due to genetics and a heightened sensitivity to bitter tastes and specific aromas. The conversation explores the evolutionary reasons behind our preferences for sweet over bitter, the implications of being a supertaster or non-taster, and the surprising ways our sense of smell impacts our emotions, relationships, and even cognitive abilities. Herz also shares insights into how context and visual cues can influence our perception of taste and smell, and the episode concludes with a discussion on the often-underestimated value of our sense of smell.