29/12/2025
I love this post shared by my friend Kylie Bryant but written by the lovele Frances Fuller.
From the time you smell something until your body naturally reacts is almost instantaneous, showing you just how powerful the sense of smell is.
Let's take a look at the science behind this amazing reaction in your body.
1️⃣ Take a deep BREATH
As you draw a deep breath, olfactory receptor cells in your nasal cavity spring into action, sending electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb. This bulb, in turn, relays crucial information to the limbic system in the brain.
2️⃣ LIMBIC SYSTEM
Often dubbed the emotional epicenter of the brain, the limbic system encompasses various components, including the hippocampus and amygdala. This intricate network not only regulates memory but also influences mood, capable of eliciting emotions and triggering physical responses with remarkable immediacy.
3️⃣ THE BODY'S REACTION
Scents wield a profound physiological influence on the body. Thanks to the intimate connection between smell and memory, a particular fragrance can conjure feelings of comfort, while others might induce heightened alertness. This sensory stimulation prompts the brain to unleash natural chemicals into the body, fostering sensations of calmness, relaxation, invigoration, energy, or refreshment. The interplay between the aroma and the brain's associations dictates the ensuing bodily response.
Each encounter with a new scent becomes etched in your memory, intricately linked to the surrounding elements—people, places, or events.
Subsequently, when that scent wafts through the air once more, it effortlessly rekindles the recollection of that initial event, acting as a catalyst for memories, moods, and emotions.
Aren’t our bodies fascinating? 🌈🦋🦄💫🎶
Credit Frances Fuller
