Smelling your own hair can be a form of self-soothing or sensory regulation. The familiar scent can provide comfort and calmness.
Understanding the Behavior
Many people find comfort in familiar scents. For some, this includes the scent of their own hair. This behavior can stem from several factors:
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Sensory Regulation: As noted in a recent article (https://www.treatmyocd.com/what-is-ocd/info/related-symptoms-conditions/why-am-i-always-sniffing-myself-advice-from-a-therapist), "Someone who is constantly playing with their hair or sniffing it... may be using a method of sensory regulation. The smell of their hair can be soothing or calming." This is especially true for individuals who may have sensory processing sensitivities.
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Familiarity and Comfort: The scent of your own hair is inherently familiar. This familiarity can be comforting, especially during times of stress or anxiety. This is similar to the comfort many find in familiar clothing or blankets.
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Checking for External Odors: Sometimes, smelling your hair serves a practical purpose. As one Reddit user mentioned (https://www.reddit.com/r/AskWomen/comments/bxidd5/why_do_you_smell_your_hair/), hair can retain smells from the environment. Checking for these odors (e.g., smoke, food) is a perfectly reasonable explanation.
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Habit or Learned Behavior: In some cases, smelling your hair might simply be a habitual behavior, developed over time and potentially linked to childhood experiences, as suggested by various Quora posts (https://www.quora.com/Why-did-I-smell-my-moms-hair-when-I-was-a-baby-I-used-to-do-it-when-I-was-tired-or-bored-but-I-never-knew-why-It-s-a-habit-I-couldnt-break-until-I-was-about-9-11).
Conclusion
The reasons for liking the smell of your own hair are varied and personal. It's often a combination of sensory needs, comfort seeking, and practical checks.
