The Power of Smell

 The Power of Smell

     What comes to mind when you hear 'lavender'? The color purple, a soothing tea, or perhaps memories of your grandmother? Lavender is commonly linked with sleep, orange with an uplifting sensation, and peppermint with energy, yet associations can vary widely.

     Our sense of smell is deeply connected to memories, emotions, and mental health. The Harvard Gazette states, "The olfactory bulb, located at the front of the brain, processes smells and sends information to the central command for further processing. Scents directly engage the limbic system, including the amygdala and hippocampus, which are associated with emotion and memory" (Walsh, 2020).

     Through self-care, different memories can be triggered by various scents. You might even discover a fragrance that brings back a cherished, forgotten memory. When combined with other senses, a scent can become more intense and evoke stronger recollections.

     The Harvard Gazette also quotes Goldman: "As people age, they tend to lose their sense of smell. However, like a muscle, the nose can be strengthened with daily 'workouts'—not with weights, but with sniffs.

     "Simply be mindful," advises Goldworm. "When walking down the street, actively note the smells... the more you use it, the stronger your sense of smell becomes" (Walsh, 2020).

     The business of scent is booming! Hotels, retailers, and realtors all capitalize on it. For example, a realtor might bake cookies so the aroma of chocolate chip cookies makes you think of home. Las Vegas Casino Scents reports, "Casinos in Las Vegas employ scent marketing to boost gambling, retain customers, and evoke the ambiance of themed destinations, like Northern Italy" (Bassett, 2023).

     So why not take advantage of the power of smell to enhance your own environment?

Reference Articles:

Walsh, C. (2020, February 27). What the Nose Knows. The Harvard Gazette. Retrieved May 19, 2024, from https://kin-keepers.com/what-the-nose-knows/