04/03/2026
👃🧠 Smell & Your Brain: Why Your Nose is Basically a VIP
Let’s have a little nose-to-brain chat…
Smell doesn’t take the scenic route like the other senses. It’s got VIP express entry!
Breathe in something like a flower, food, perfume, smoke, essential oils… the molecules stick to your nose receptors and zoom straight to the olfactory bulb. From there?
Boom! They hit:
💜 Amygdala - hello, emotions
🧠 Hippocampus - memories, memories, memories
💓 Autonomic nervous system - heart rate, breathing, stress vibes
Meaning: a smell can make your body react before your brain even realises it’s there.
This is why my passion for essential oils grew as I learned they were more than just nice scents and why I naturally incorporate them in my life and sessions, gently supporting the body and nervous system along the way.
💬 Let’s Shake Up Some Myths
🔸️“Lavender calms everyone.”
Reality: Ah, maybe it soothes you, but maybe it reminds someone else of a hospital stay. Smell is personal.
🔸️“Citrus always energizes you.”
Reality: Some people feel perked up, some feel nothing, some feel reminded of cleaning products 😂 Smell is not one-size-fits-all..
🔸️“If it smells nice, it’s harmless.”
Reality: Think again! Everyday smells, from cleaning sprays, cosmetic products to perfumes, are full of chemicals that can affect your nervous system.
Essential oils? Tiny, natural molecules, but highly potent.
Smell isn’t just about pleasure ... it’s quietly powerful, and your body feels it, whether you realise it or not.
🔬Fun Science Bite
Heart rate, breathing, even stress hormones can shift in seconds of a scent.
That sunscreen that takes you back to summer holidays?
That smell of the warm lemon water you have in the morning?
That’s your nervous system quietly doing its thing.
Quick Poll for You 💫
Which scent type flips your switch first?
🌸 Flowery
🌿 Herby
🍋 Citrusy
🌱 Earthy
🌶 Spicy / peppery
Drop your emoji below 👇 let’s see what wins!
