Pencil shavings, freshly mowed grass, just-baked bread, baby powder, coconut oil. It’s a fair bet that at least one of these aromas bring back a memory of family, school days or holidays. Ever wondered why?
Smell is our oldest sense. Before sight, hearing or touch, creatures evolved to respond to the chemicals around them. Even bacteria have the sense of smell!
Smell is our strongest sense. There are four light sensors in the human eye. Touch involves receptors for pressure, pain, heat and cold but there are over a thousand receptor types to help you distinguish scents.
Smell is the only sense that enters the brain directly. Our other senses are delivered to the thalamus, and from there are sent out to our primary sensory cortices. The information taken from aromas travel to the olfactory bulb via the centers for memory and emotion so we automatically connect the memory and emotion with the smell.
Research shows that 70% of our aroma-memories are pleasant ones, which is why aromas with positive associations can have an uplifting, energizing or calming effect – as well as transporting us back in time!
Check out ETHICAL BEAUTY by Angela on facebook. P.S. She stocks Aveda!
Check out ETHICAL BEAUTY by Angela on facebook. P.S. She stocks Aveda!
