The olfactory bulb is where the brain starts to make sense of what we’re smelling. When we initially smell something, special sensors in our nose pick up on the scents and then send signals to this region in the front part of the brain. The olfactory bulb is a structure in the forebrain where initial odor processing occurs.
I’ll never forget that day when a dryer fire almost claimed my grandparents’ Michigan home in one fell swoop. That smell is something awful and has never left my memory. On the contrary, when I am making my great-grandmother’s Sicilian recipes, I am transposed from my home to that same home, except it is for loving smells of delicious and nourishing food.
According to the NIDCD (National Institute for the Deafness and Other Communication Disorders), “Your sense of smell—like your sense of taste—is part of your chemosensory system, or the chemical senses. Your ability to smell comes from specialized sensory cells, called olfactory sensory neurons, which are found in a small patch of tissue high inside the nose. These cells connect directly to the brain,”.
It is quite remarkable that on a warm, sunny day in the spring, when the flowers are blooming, I am transported to my grandparents’ neighborhood, where these particular flowers grew in abundance. The National Library of Medicine explains that “Beyond food enjoyment, as part of quality of life, smell has the ability to transfer and regulate emotional conditions, and thus impacts social relationships, at various stages across life (e.g., prenatal and postnatal, during puberty, for partner selection and in sickness),”.
Apparently, our sense of smell is valued way less than it should be, considering its significance in vital functions such as warning and protection from environmental hazards, what we eat, eating choices and nutrition, and social communication. Environmental hazards could include smelling:
- A thunderstorm is approaching (Oh, how I love that smell, especially when I am in my home safe)
- Wildfires (We smelled a lot of the Canadian wildfires all last summer here in Michigan)
- Gas leaks: That rotten egg smell of a gas leak is a warning sign to evacuate the area immediately and call for help.
- Mold and mildew can indicate water damage or poor ventilation, which can cause health issues.
- Chemical spills with strong, harsh odors can alert us to potential toxic exposure and prompt us to take necessary precautions.
- Sewage’s foul smell of sewage can indicate a backup or leak in the sewer system, which can pose health risks and require immediate attention.
- Smoke from a fire can indicate a nearby fire, prompting individuals to evacuate and seek safety.
- Spoiled food’s unpleasant odor can prevent individuals from consuming contaminated food and potentially getting food poisoning
- Pesticides’ chemical smell may alert individuals to potential exposure and prompt them to avoid contact with treated areas
Which nervous system is responsible for your sense of smell?
The Olfactory Cortex is vital for the processing and perception of odor and is a component of the limbic system. The limbic system is involved in the processing of our emotions, survival instincts, and memory formation and connects senses, such as odors, to our memories and emotions.
Another smell that invokes memories of my grandparents is the smell of a campfire. We were a camping family. We camped all over Michigan, in Ontario, Canada, and on The Jersey Shore in Wildwood, New Jersey. To me, there’s nothing like the smell of a campfire. It almost grounds me immediately. It brings me back to earth, so to speak. Especially if I am camping in the deep woods of the Huron Manistee National Forest near Ludington, Michigan – something about the sounds of nature on a clear night with a sky full of stars that I can’t see at home, along with the smell of a campfire, oh baby that is what truly soothes my soul.
Another example of the smells of nature that are appealing could be:
The enticing aroma of fresh pine trees in a forest is genuinely invigorating. Its distinct fragrance is attributed to a group of compounds called terpenes, specifically pinene, which are released by the trees to defend against pests and diseases.
The sweet scent of blooming flowers, such as roses or lavender, is a result of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) called terpenoids and phenylpropanoids. These compounds play a role in attracting pollinators and can also have calming effects on humans.
The refreshing smell of the ocean air, often associated with beaches and coastal areas, is a result of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) released by marine algae and phytoplankton. This compound contributes to the unique seaside fragrance that many find rejuvenating.
The earthy aroma of petrichor, which accompanies the first rain after a dry spell, is a captivating natural phenomenon. This scent is a combination of plant oils, bacterial spores, and geosmin, a compound produced by soil-dwelling bacteria.
Ok, so this next one isn’t necessarily part of nature (yet) but is immensely intoxicating to me and my Sicilian family. Like how walking by a bakery and catching a whiff of freshly baked bread triggers a sensory delight. This comforting smell is due to the Maillard reaction, a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives baked goods their characteristic aroma. When selling a home, realtors suggest to bake bread on the day of the showing.
The enticing aroma of freshly baked goods can create a sense of homeliness and comfort in a space, making potential buyers feel more relaxed and optimistic about the property, which potentially encourages them to spend more time exploring the house, imagining themselves living there, and ultimately feeling more connected to the space.
The pleasant smell can also trigger positive memories and associations, further enhancing the overall experience and potentially making the property more memorable to buyers. Ultimately, this sensory tactic can help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that appeals to potential buyers on an emotional level, potentially increasing the likelihood of a successful sale.
What part of the brain controls sense of smell?
In conclusion, the part of the brain that controls the sense of smell is the olfactory bulb, which has a direct pathway to the limbic system and is in charge of more than merely smelling or tasting. When people play the game “Would you rather…”, they always ask if you would rather lose your sight or hearing as if we place the highest value on those two. I would hate to lose any one of my senses, but I think losing my sense of smell would really stink. You’re welcome; there’s your “Mom joke” of the day!