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Why Do Smells Trigger Memories?
The Memory Association
According to a 2004 research, the sense of smell is a complicated process.
- The olfactory receptor cells send a neuron signal to a part of our brain which is called the olfactory bulb.
- This multistep process which involves over a thousand genes and the nerves connect to the amygdala of the brain, the area responsible for processing emotions.
- It also connects to the memory and cognition area called the hippocampus, forming the association.
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Our Sense Of Smell And Our Memories
Certain smells which are associated in our minds to events or locations from the past, triggers our memories to revisit the same. This association of the past through the sense of smell works better and is more vivid than the sense of touch or sight.
Example: Smelling the pages of a new book may remind us of late-night reading as a kid.
The Memory Association
According to a 2004 research, the sense of smell is a complicated process.
- The olfactory receptor cells send a neuron signal to a part of our brain which is called the olfactory bulb.
- This multistep process which involves over a thousand genes and the nerves connect to the amygdala of the brain, the area responsible for processing emotions.
- It also connects to the memory and cognition area called the hippocampus, forming the association.
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