Our sense of smell is an ability we take for granted. Did you know that through olfaction, we are able to detect at least one trillion distinguished scents? These smells range from entrancing to unpleasant, and can warn our brain of potential dangers. For example, when eggs rot, bacteria heavily multiplies, breaking down proteins which release a toxic chemical known as hydrogen sulfide. This decayed smell warns us that the eggs have gone bad and prevents us from getting sick. Picture your favorite food, can you smell it? Smells can also be sweet, causing our brain to release chemicals known as endorphins, which make us feel cheery and content.
What about artificial smells? Artificial fragrances date back to the Bronze Age, about 4,000 years ago. Depending on the culture, these fragrances were used for a variety of reasons, such as religious and sacred rituals. Now, modern perfumery has evolved into an ever-growing business, stated to have made about $32.8 billion in sales during 2020. More than ever, people desire to captivate others through their smell. These perfumes and colognes that are utilized can be considered sweet and fresh, but intoxicating for many if an excessive amount is used.
Why do we use perfumes? To make us unforgettable, attach ourselves to memories and smells, yet if we use too much it’s very intoxicating.
Humans identify smells through subconscious association. Our memories, instincts and culture play a big influence in how we perceive and experience smells. Our brain processes smells within the olfactory bulb, a structure located in the front of the brain that transmits information to other areas of the body, which help process the information even more. Smells are transferred through the limbic system, then pass through the amygdala and the hippocampus, two “emotional” and memory processing centers of the brain. This is why we are able to sharply associate emotions to scents. These scented memories are called “olfaction-associated memories”. This alone shows how complex our body systems are, and how powerful our senses can be.
What about dogs and other animals? It is known by many that their sense of smell is far better than us, but how does ours actually differ from theirs? Unlike humans, dogs and other animals have evolved to vastly improve their sense of smell, because they have to rely on it more to navigate the world. We have about six million olfactory receptors in our noses, while dogs possess about 300 million. Animals use this sense to detect the chemical aromas of an environment. Despite the clear differences in ability, a dog’s memory is complex enough to remember notable scents.
Our sense of smell is an undervalued ability that is far more important in our lives than we can imagine. With this in mind, pay attention to the smell of the fruit you eat, the chemical scent of manmade perfumes, or anything, really.
Bibliography:
Bible, Canine. “How Long Do Dogs Remember Scents, People? Will My Dog Forget Me?” Canine Bible. 16 March 2021.
https://www.caninebible.com/how-long-do-dogs-remember-a-scent/.
“Common Perfume Ingredients: A to Z List.” BYRDIE. 06 April 2019.
https://www.byrdie.com/perfume-facts.
Dvorsky, George. “The human nose can sense 10 basic smells.” GIZMODO. 20 September 2013.
https://gizmodo.com/the-human-nose-can-sense-10-basic-smells-1355489504.
“From odor to action – how smells are processed in the brain and influence behavior.” THE
CONVERSATION. 25 January 2022.
https://theconversation.com/from-odor-to-action-how-smells-are-processed-in-the-brain-and-
Influence-behavior-173811.
George, Nancie. “10 Incredible Facts About Your Sense of Smell.” Everyday Health. 03 October 2014.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/incredible-facts-about-your-sense-smell/.
Handwerk, Brian. “In Some Ways, Your Sense of Smell Is Actually Better Than a Dog’s.” Smithsonian Magazine. 22 May 2017.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/you-actually-smell-better-dog-180963391/.
“History of Perfume.” Tailor Made Fragrance. 02 February 2022.
https://www.tailormadefragrance.com/en_int/history_of_perfume.
“How Powerful Is a Dog’s Nose?” PHOENIX Veterinary Center. 23 July 2020.
https://phoenixvetcenter.com/blog/214731-how-powerful-is-a-dogs-nose#:~:text=They%20p
ossess%20up%20to%20300,40%20times%20greater%20than%20ours.&text=Dogs%20pos
sess%20a%20sense%20of,most%20advanced%20man%2Dmade%20instrument.
https://www.feelingsexy.com.au/blog/scientifically-proven-scents-that-make-you-happy.
Lowbrow, Yeoman. “Smells Like Only Yesterday: Vintage Perfume Advertising.” FLASHBAK. 14 October 2016.
https://flashbak.com/smells-like-only-yesterday-vintage-perfume-advertising-365494/.