History 101
World's worst trip?
Bad choice of destination? Poor accommodations?
No amenities? Unfriendly people?
Our miserable unwilling traveler had, however, just one good thing.
An enormous stomach for the unexpected.
And so it was, he ended up making the most famous trip in human history.
The Scent of a Memory
Have you ever gotten a whiff of a particular scent and been instantly transported back in time? Our sense of smell is powerful, capable of bringing back memories like no other. This is because the brain’s olfactory bulb is the first stop for scents and smells, and it’s a part of the limbic system, the brain’s emotional circuit. “None of our other senses have [the] direct and intimate connection with the areas of the brain that process emotion, associative learning, and memory,” writes Rachel Herz, Ph.D., a faculty member at Brown University who specializes in the psychology of smell.
At some point in our lives, most of us have experienced the power of a scent and its connection with the past. But is it also possible to plan ahead and associate a scent with your favorite memories?
We think it is. Whether it’s a special event, a glorious vacation, or an important personal relationship, a unique scent can be used as a trigger to recall the good feelings and emotions from experiences we care about. That includes an exquisite journey.
So, the next time you travel to faraway lands, choose a unique scent--not your everyday signature cologne--and give yourself a spritz. Keep the scent with you as you go, making sure to use it every now and again along your route.
Later, back at home, should the memories of your trip begin to fade, dig out that bottle, have a sniff, and enjoy the moment as you're transported back.