News Neuroscience

Mice smell, share each other’s pain

Olfactory signal suspected as way hurt sensitivity is transmitted mouse-to-mouse

lab mice

OVERSHARING  Odor cues from mice in pain can make roommates more sensitive to pain themselves, a new study suggests.

Boris Heifets, Monique Smith

By Laura Sanders

- More than 2 years ago

Pain is contagious, at least for mice. After encountering bedding where mice in pain had slept, other mice became more sensitive to pain themselves.