Of our five senses, our sense of smell is the only sense that links directly to the limbic system. This area of the brain is responsible for emotions, memory and motivation.
Step 01
When you smell a fragrance, odor molecules are released into the air and travel into your nose.
Step 02
As the fragrance molecules enter your nose, they pass through the nasal cavity, which is lined with specialized sensory receptors called olfactory receptors.
Step 03
The olfactory receptors detect the fragrance molecules and send signals to the olfactory bulb, which is a small structure located at the base of the brain.
Step 04
The olfactory bulb then sends these signals to other areas of the brain, including the limbic system, which is responsible for regulating emotions, memory, and motivation.
Step 05
In the limbic system, the fragrance molecules can trigger the release of various neurotransmitters, such as endorphins, serotonin, and GABA.
Step 06
These neurotransmitters can influence our mood and behavior, leading to feelings of relaxation, happiness, or alertness, depending on the specific fragrance.