Concord Fragrances, Inc., operating as Blueme, has secured Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to launch a research study focused on the user experience of its self-administered Blueme Smell Test. This initiative marks a strategic move by the wellness-driven fragrance brand to transition olfactory function from a sensory experience into a documented pillar of longevity and holistic health. By evaluating how adults between the ages of 18 and 80 interact with smell assessments in real-world and home environments, the brand aims to make olfactory awareness a standard component of everyday wellness routines.
The significance of the study for the fragrance industry lies in its alignment with emerging research that correlates reduced olfactory function with neurological conditions and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. While the brand clarifies that smell loss is not a definitive diagnostic of these conditions, it highlights that more than 10% of the United States population suffers from some degree of smell loss, representing a significant and under-addressed demographic. Blueme intends to use the insights gained from this 45-to-60-minute assessment study to refine future tools and better communicate the vital role smell plays in safety, nutrition, and cognitive health.
Under the leadership of founder and CEO Mei Xu, Blueme is positioning smell health as a critical dimension of quality of life and emotional memory. This research-first approach signals a broader movement within the industry to integrate advanced smell science into sustainable design and medical-adjacent consumer technology. By normalizing proactive smell health practices, the brand seeks to bridge the gap between traditional fragrance use and proactive health monitoring, ultimately contributing to a growing body of research that connects the sense of smell with systemic well-being and longevity.
