The “O” Factor – How Olfactory Cues Impact Memory
- May 30, 2024
- 4 min read
Dr. Monica Riley, MD, affectionately known as Dr. Monica, is a Doctor of Integrative Medicine with over 30 years of expertise in the Holistic Health Sciences. Dr. Monica is the Founder of Dr. Monica's Natural Beauty, LLC; the award-winning sustainable body care, skin and haircare collection featuring clean fragrances that inspire women 40+, with careful care to communities of color, to Self-Love through Self-Care.
“The idea for sustainable self-care, with special care to melanated beauty, really began in my Nana's kitchen. I was only 4 years old, but I remember being mesmerized by the plants and flowers that she would boil in this huge soup pot every Saturday. I mean the incredible aromas that wafted from that pot, lavender – lemon, orange, vanilla, lily-of-the-valley, peony and cinnamon – carried me into my own little world of happiness. I was happy, I was safe and I was loved. And, to my 4 year old self, I was living my best life – munching Nana's homemade biscuits with strawberry jam and peach preserves and watching her create elixirs that healed the body, mind and spirit.”
Of all the senses, scent is most closely linked to memory. Studies have shown that people can remember a scent with 65% accuracy after one year while visual memory drops to 50% after only a few months. The smells we experience play a crucial role in how we associate with memories and places. Have you ever come across a whiff of something that instantly takes you back to an old memory? Whether it reminds you of your mother’s cinnamon apples or a childhood trip to the beach, a distinctive scent sinks into your brain and stays there.
5 ways your sense of smell influences your everyday life
Smell and emotion
Did you know that smell has a strong influence on the emotions we feel in our daily lives? The emotions we feel affect the way we relate to places and brands. The part of the brain that smells and tastes is part of the emotional brain where our personality lies.
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Quick Watch YouTube – Mindful Meditation Moment: Common scents to soothe your spirit!
Smell and time
Smells can influence our perception of time. According to one study, 20 separate participants were exposed to a baby powder aroma, a coffee aroma, and no aroma at all. While the coffee aroma produced a reduced perception of time, the baby powder aroma produced a longer perception of time. Likewise, pleasurable fragrances have been shown to create “dwell-time” in stores; increasing the likelihood of customers making purchases.
Smell and health care
Creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for patients is a challenge for every healthcare facility; be it large or small. For example, lavender fragrances are often used in nursing homes to calm residents and in emergency rooms to calm worried visitors. Additionally, hospitals, treatment centers and nursing homes are prone to musky smells and malodors. Lavender is an adaptogen and can assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It's great for relaxation, but also has balancing properties to boost stamina and energy. Lavender also helps heal emotional issues and trauma.
Smell and productivity
Our sense of smell can even affect productivity in office environments. Specific smells have been found to increase alertness which in turn results in higher productivity rates. One study found that when lemon oil was diffused throughout a Japanese office building, productivity among data entry operators increased by 54%. Scents can also be used to ward off mid-afternoon brain fog by revving your concentration levels.
Smell and taste
Although you may think no difference exists between taste and flavor, they are not exactly the same. Your mouth tastes food, but smell affects flavor. If you cannot smell, your ability to experience the flavor of what you eat may be hindered. While eating, odors from food travel to the nose, and receptor cells at the nasal cavity process the odors. The technical term is retro nasal olfaction. Since eating is essential to human survival, this represents yet another important way smell affects our day-to-day lives.
Quick Look YouTube – How to Get Thru Tough Times: skin scents to boost your mood.
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Dr. Monica Riley, MD, Award-Winning CEO, Educator, Philanthropist
Dr. Monica Riley, MD, affectionately known as Dr. Monica, is a Doctor of Integrative Medicine with over 30 years of expertise in the Holistic Health Sciences. Dr. Monica is the Founder of Dr. Monica's Natural Beauty, LLC; the award-winning sustainable body care, skin and haircare collection featuring clean fragrances that inspire women 40+, with careful care to communities of color, to Self-Love through Self-Care. This active Vassar College Alum and 2-time Emmy Award-winning documentary producer continues to inspire communities to action through her activism against human trafficking and cyberbullying. A sought-after public speaker and podcast guest, Dr. Monica believes that “Self-Care IS Healthcare"™
