An association between fragrant smells and strong emotion is not the sole invention of poets or perfume makers alone! Our smelling receptors, or olfactory receptors, are directly linked to our brains limbic system!
Our Limbic system, which is the most ancient and primitive part of our brain, is believed to be the very seat of our brains! When we smell something, the smell sensations are relayed to the cortex. The cortex is responsible for our ‘cognitive”, or our recognition responses, yet only after the deepest part of our brain, the limbic system has been stimulated first!
Before we can correctly or cognitively identify a particular smell, the scent has already activated our limbic system. The smell has triggered deep seated emotions that we as individuals associate with that particular scent! Having triggered these emotions, the smell has the powerful affect and may be responsible in altering our moods! However, I must tell you that everyone’s emotional perceptions to particular scents are as unique as the individuals themselves and can evoke a diverse array of emotions, memories, or moods!
This brings to my mind the air freshener commercial that plays often on the television! The subjects of the test are blindfolded, yet they are smiling and appear so relaxed from the calming and pleasant aromas within the room! Then the blindfolds are removed, and they are horrified of their surroundings!! Do you recall this commercial!
This commercial is one of my all-time favorites! I can’t help but chuckle at the astonished and appalling looks the subjects make when the blindfolds are removed! The advertisement must be very successful because I have seen it with several different testing subjects so far!
Okay, so now maybe you can agree with me that pleasant and not so pleasant smells have a significant impact upon our moods, temperament, and behaviors!
I know of no one that seeks or desires to smell anything unpleasant or putrid! Did you know that millions of consumer dollars are spent on “beautifying” the air to make it pleasant smelling, refreshing, and inviting! Let’s discuss some of these methods, shall we?
We know the dangers of aerosol cans and the impact that their use has upon the earth’s atmosphere! So, for me, using these are not a consideration! Then there are the “plug-in” gadgets with the oils or jelly-like refills! I have seen pictures and warnings of fires claiming that the use of these “gadgets” were responsible for the fires! Most definitely not for me! Although, many years ago folks, I believe I had 2 or 3 of these “plug-ins” in every room of my home! But after having learned of that potential danger, they all went into the “G” file!
Then there are the wet fragrant mists like we had discussed previously! Not one of my favorites because they do spray out “wet” and for me not acceptable! But then, there are fragrant candles and scented melts!
Everyone that knows me knows I just love candles! I had posted this picture on Facebook last year of one of my tables in my living room! My daughter-in-law just had to comment! This was her response, “Someone call 911-Mom is gonna burn the house to the ground!” Ha, ha that was too funny! :)
All kidding aside, I really do have enough candles to light up my whole town, and then some, should the power ever go out!! As some of you know already, I am an independent sales consultant and I sell candles and fragrant products and containers!
I truly love my candles, however, when my small grandchildren are here I refrain from lighting them! I have found an alternative to that though! I can still have my home smelling terrific and awesome! Just as if I had my scented candles burning! I have scented melts that I melt in an electric warmer! (Out of the reach of the little ones , of course)!Thank You for giving me the opportunity to share with you one of my passions that means so much to me! In closing, I would like to share something else with you!
Often times, when my children come over, I am forever asking them, “How does the house smell”? Especially, if I have not been out for a while! Usually, it takes being away from home for an extended period of time to recognize by smell that it is not smelling as it ought to be!
My daughter says to me one day, “ Mom, your home has always smelled very nice! All while I was growing up it did, and it still does now! I only wish my home smelled so good!”I hope she wasn’t just saying that to prevent me from asking her anymore! Her comment did make me smile, and now I refrain from asking. Well, maybe just less often!
Anyway, in the beginning of this blog we had discussed our sense of smell and the recognition and associations of smells in relation to our individual emotions! It is my intent that when my children and grandchildren smell these delightful and pleasant smells in my home, they will always relate and reflect upon them as Grandma’s house being a warm, loving and pleasant home!
Thank you for reading and I would love to hear your thoughts!
Love,
Glenda :)
