It is so extraordinary to believe that our fifth sense – Smell has a lot more impact on our memory than any other. Those who experience a full olfactory function may be able to relate smells to particular memories even years back. For example the smell of an ecstatic rose can conjure up collections of past memories connected to it. The smell of the soil at the first rain pour could take you to memories restored with rain or soil. Our brain can process smell and odours in a special region that handle memory and emotion. It is interesting to learn that the perception of smell is not just the sensation of a particular odour but more about experiences and emotions related with these sensations that rise to surface when we trigger that receptor.
So what is the psychological impact of smell? Well, on a closer level, smell does play a role between two individuals. Our body odour can subconsciously attract or repel another. Some research says that when we kiss, the initial response that we give when we smell or taste our partner can often help decide if they are a match.
Perfume, Deo, Body sprays are common these days. The smell of these could trigger a terrible headache to some or for another; it could turn out very aromatic and sensual. Another example could be the smell of smoke. It takes a person some time to get used to a particular smell. The smoke let out of a cigar might be disgusting to a few while to some it could be a nostalgic experience.
Smells have a terrific power.
It brings back to consciousness through the subconscious what could have been forgotten.
There could be idiosyncrasies related to smell related perceptions as well. It is studied that fragrances that smelled pleasant elicited stronger personal emotional memories.
“Well, the word perfume is derived from the Latin word perfumare, meaning “to smoke through.” Perfumery is the art of making perfumes.
A Perfumer is a “nose” or person who creates fragrances.”