The phenomenon you're experiencing, where you can't smell alcohol on yourself or others even when it's present in the environment, is known as "olfactory adaptation" or "olfactory fatigue."
Olfactory adaptation is a normal and natural process that occurs in your olfactory system, which is responsible for your sense of smell. When you are exposed to a particular smell for an extended period, your olfactory receptors become less sensitive to that specific odor. This desensitization happens as a way to prevent your senses from being overwhelmed by continuous exposure to a particular scent.
When you drink alcohol, the odor molecules from the alcohol enter your nasal passages and bind to olfactory receptors. At first, you might be able to smell the alcohol clearly. However, with prolonged exposure, your olfactory receptors become less responsive to the alcohol's odor, leading to a diminished ability to detect the scent. As a result, you may no longer perceive the smell of alcohol on yourself or others, even though the odor is still present.
It's important to note that while you may not smell the alcohol on yourself due to olfactory adaptation, others who haven't been continuously exposed to the scent might still be able to detect it on you.
Olfactory adaptation is a temporary phenomenon, and if you leave the environment with the alcohol odor, your sense of smell will gradually return to normal. However, if you re-enter the same environment, the adaptation process may start again.
Additionally, individual differences in olfactory sensitivity can also play a role. Some people may be more sensitive to certain odors than others, leading to varying perceptions of smell in different individuals.