The Power of Scent

It is said that we are one hundred times more likely to remember what we smell than what we hear, taste or touch. Scents are considered special as they can bring back memories that can otherwise never be re-triggered. This is the reason why you might see someone crying when they come across a familiar but long-forgotten scent. People are drawn towards different scents just as they are attracted towards specific food and music. There have been studies that have taken place to determine the link between the mood and various scents. Behavioural studies have revealed that smells can trigger more intense emotional memories than images actually do.

Our sense of smell is directly connected with our limbic system, the part of our brain where emotions and memories are stored and processed. Therefore, fragrance and memory are clearly intertwined – whether it be the earthy scents of walking in woodland, exotic spices or bread baking from your Mothers’ kitchen, herby aromas from a Mediterranean holiday or the perfume worn by someone special. Many fragrances possess strong associative properties, and work easily to alter the mood, promoting increased alertness and positivity, or creating feelings of calm, tranquillity and relaxation. They can be helpful in alleviating stress, easing insomnia, providing clarity and focus.

With each new season comes unique scents. Summer brings smells of warm sands, sweet tangy fruits, ocean breeze or a freshly mown lawn. Similarly, rain is associated with the smell of earth. Our sense of smell actually sharpens during spring and summer with the air full of excess moisture.

So our experiences and the way our surroundings smells can have a significant impact on our mood and wellbeing and is one of the reasons why luxury scented candles, wax melts & diffusers are such a good investment for your home. You can influence your own moods and emotions depending on your favourite fragrance!

Challenge yourself - the next time you smell a scent, try to figure out where you first experienced it and then ask yourself whether you feel any change in your mood!