The olfactory memory is one of the phenomena of the human body. It is known that it does not change throughout life, so we can recall the smell of a summer evening from years ago or the sweet smell of the favorite cheesecake in childhood. See what the olfactory memory is and how it can be used.

Everyone has theseremembered smellsthat bring back good memories, but the smell is the most mysterious of our senses. The ancients already knew that smells affect our psyche, but nearly 10,000 people knew about the essence of remembering and recognizing them. the fragrances were only clarified in 2004. This happened thanks to the research of Richard Axel and Linda Buck, for which scientists received the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. Thanks to them, we know that smells have a specific impact on the work of the brain and a complex hormonal game that determines our behavior and emotions.

The sense of smell, for example, plays a very important role in the selection of partners … In order to have strong and he althy offspring, a woman endowed with a tender smell subconsciously chooses a man with a different HLA as the father of her children. It is the histocompatibility system in which components of the immune system are encoded, including a person's specific proteins. The more different genes, the greater the chances of successful successors.

The olfactory memory remains the same throughout life

Our olfactory cells occupy an area of ​​only 1-3 cm2, but their work is controlled by over a thousand genes. The olfactory receptors start working when microscopic odor molecules - ligands reach them. Under their influence, an enzyme is produced, part of which reaches the cerebral cortex, where the smell is recognized. The second portion of the enzyme penetrates the limbic system responsible for emotions and memory. Here, without the participation of our will, a decision is made whether the perceived smell is pleasant or not. Once known, the smell is assigned to a specific olfactory receptor. This is how the olfactory memory is formed. It does not change throughout a person's life and will always evoke specific memories related to the events that accompanied a given fragrance.

Why do we need a good nose?

Simply put, to encourage us, charm us, calm us down. The sellers know this very well. Provenfor example, that the smell of fresh bread by 30% increases its sales. Fragrances that we associate with luxury, such as the smell of leather, pipe tobacco or perfume, have a similar effect on our psyche. But it's not just temptation that is a task for our nose. The sense of smell also has many other important functions:

  • warns against hazardous substances, e.g. smoke, and allows you to locate their source;
  • helps to recognize flavors;
  • protects us from food poisoning because it makes it easier to recognize bad food;
  • takes part in the secretion of saliva and gastric juice;
  • is a source of aesthetic experiences;
  • determines sexual behavior and emotions.

Choose your home scents according to your olfactory memory

The properties of fragrances have been used for centuries by aromatherapy - the art of treating the body and soul with highly fragrant oils. But how to choose them so that they soothe your nerves and give you the pleasure of being in their surroundings? Here are the rules that will allow us to decorate the apartment with fragrances suitable for our psyche and he alth:

  • use aromas that suit you best, not those that are just fashionable;
  • mix no more than 5 fragrances at home;
  • when you bring a new fragrance into your home for the first time, watch for a headache;
  • use high-quality natural essential oils.

We perceive the world of fragrances individually. What calms some may excite others. A pleasant smell at home makes the household members feel good in it. How to arrange such a bouquet? Whether it be the aroma of flowers, spices, fruit or the aroma of incense - there are many possibilities. It is only important that it suits our senses, allows us to relax and make the apartment look clean and tidy.

How to improve your mood with a scent? Candles, potpourri and essential oils

Scented candles are a good solution. Some smells intense right out of the box. The smell of a burning candle depends on the material it is made of. The he althiest candles are made of paraffin and flavored with natural oils, because they emit less smoke. Some people choose beeswax candles because they like their sweet, honey-like scent.

Special anti-smoking candles are recommended, especially for homes where cigarettes are smoked. Incense, i.e. mixtures of aromatic resins, bark, wood, fruit and flowers, have their supporters. Incense should only be smoldered, not burned with a flame. A similar effect can be achieved by throwing pine needles into the flame of a wide candle. Fascinated by the East, they saythat incense improves the energy of the house and also drives out anger and discord. It is worth remembering that good-quality incense sticks without synthetic additives are packed in special vials. We recognize their smell only after lighting them up.

It is also worth spreading potpourri in the room, i.e. a fragrant mixture of dried flowers, bark, leaves, mosses, roots, herbs and aromatic oils. Potpourri not only smells good, but also looks beautiful in transparent glass bowls or on plates.

The interior of the house can be saturated with the aromas of natural essential oils. For this to happen, apart from the oil, you need a special fireplace. The container into which the water is poured and the oil is dropped must be open and easy to clean, and the place for the heating candle must be easily accessible. The contents of the fireplace are usually used up after half an hour, but the pleasant smell remains in the room for a long time.

There are many benefits to using essential oils. Some of them have a stimulating effect, others have a soothing and calming effect. Most of them also have strong bactericidal properties. Therefore, it is worth using them, especially in winter, when respiratory infections are spreading around.

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Category:

Psychology