Martin,
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to participate in your
project. I'm thrilled that I've been able to contribute in some way!
Lindstrom-ga said:
?It is claimed that smell does affect our emotional register directly
- where as all other of our four senses goes through the brain.?
I have found an explanation that illustrates that ALL of the senses go
through the brain, but explains the stronger connection between smell
and emotions. Smell is one of our 2 chemical senses (the other being
taste)?smell, as well as the two combined, do have a more profound
connection to our emotions and thoughts. This site scientifically
explains the stronger link between smell and thoughts, emotions, and
behavior:
?Olfactory information travels not only to the limbic system, which
refers to the primitive brain structures that govern emotions,
behavior, and memory storage, but also to the brain's cortex, or outer
layer, where conscious thought occurs. In addition, it combines with
taste information in the brain to create the sensation of flavor. Thus
odours have a profound effect on our thoughts, emotions and behavior.?
http://www.chemsoc.org/exemplarchem/entries/2003/bristol_teo/realintro.htm
Another scientific explanation follows:
?Once the odors have triggered the receptorsites, the olfactory bulb
sends nerve impulses, via the olfactory bundles, to the thalamus
(which then transmits the impulses to the neocortex) and to the
hypothalamus. Its in the neocortex that olfactory discrimination,
perception and memories occur allowing us to correctly identify what
it is we are smelling.
The hypothalamus forms part of the limbic system (the oldest part of
the brain) which activates smell-related emotions and "the olfactory
relationships with memory, eating, survival, sex and other emotional
behaviour". The limbic system is also involved with visceral
functioning, via the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems,
"including the regulation of heart rate, blood pressure, respiration,
digestive activity and levels of various hormones". In this way the
hypothalamus and limbic system play a key role in emotional conditions
such as stress and depression. Aromatherapy works by using various
odors to achieve specific therapeutic results when utilising the
person?s sense of smell to manipulate their limbic system. The odors
of the essential oils trigger limbic responses that affect the person
physically, mentally and emotionally with each oil having a variety of
effects upon the person depending on the oil?s chemical constituents
and the person?s memory association of that odour. Although it is not
known exactly how essential oils absorbed through the skin and into
the blood stream and lymphatic system affect the brain, skin
absorption through massage has a therapeutic action on the brain
functions controlled by the limbic system and on internal organ and
tissue systems.
Although the use of aromas for therapeutic use has been around for
centuries it is only recently that research has been done in earnest
to determine how our brains work to determine smells and how these
odours can affect us. One particular research is being conducted to
determine the relationship between smell and the success of ventures
such as attaining a job or selling a house. This research is aimed at
rationalising what we already instinctively know and detailing how it
actually occurs. Other research has determined the relationship of
aromas and the productivity of workers in Japan using various scents
and measuring the changes in productivity with each scent.?
http://www.angelfire.com/ms/OzConnection/How.html
The above article cites a number of references at the bottom of the
page after the article.
And according to a Disney site:
?Perhaps because it is our oldest sense and connects to our oldest
brain structures, smell most strongly triggers memories and emotions.?
http://familyfun.go.com/raisingkids/learn/activities/feature/famf010101_famfsense1/famf010101_famfsense2.html
Speaking for myself, I personally see that smell is the most
closely-linked sense to memories.
Another interesting point:
?This is surprising, considering that seventy to seventy-five percent
of what we perceive as taste actually comes from our sense of smell.?
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro00/web2/Mathrani.html
This may also interest you:
Sense of Smell Institute
?A Leading Global Resource on the Science of Olfaction?
http://senseofsmell.org/home.asp
Sense of smell linked to depression:
http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20030212213532data_trunc_sys.shtml
Again, I'm very glad to be of assistance! Thank you, again. Good luck
to you in your endeavors!
Sincerely,
Boquinha-ga
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