In this article, I will explore how humans perceive smell, and how it stimulates our brain.
What is the best sense to arouse our memories?
Some would answer visual. According to recent scientific studies, memory has direct correlation to the hippocampus. In addition, there is a control function of smell sensory that is closely related with the Limbic system. The disclosure further reveals the physiological mechanisms of human memory and brings a greater explanation of how the brain strengthens memories under olfactory stimulation.
Why does smell bring back Memories? Here is how it works: After an odor molecule enters the nose and is recognized by the olfactory sensors (receptors inside your nose that have millions of nerve cells), the signals are immediately sent to the Limbic system. The olfactory system processes information on both the limbic system(which controls emotions, memory and behavior) and cortex(control of conscious thought) as they work in concert, they afect our memories. It is said that people can identify about 10,000 different scents. Olfactory memory is constructed based on on personal experiences. The sense of smell is the leading sense humans
use as a memory tool and it also triggers our emotions. The way memories are recorded is still unown. Nonetheless, some doctors use scent as therapy to evoke past memories in memory loss patients. We should make use of the function of smell, to experience our world and enjoy life to the fullest.
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