Winter has been gone for a while, and spring has arrived with a vengeance, blasting us with the gentle, warming sun. Though I don’t enjoy all the summer duties, I look forward to shoveling the driveway in the inhospitable conditions. Along with spring comes a scent that can instantly transport me back in time, some good, some bad.
Complex emotions and memories can be triggered by a simple sensory cue: the smell of spring air, a farm, or even rain. I find smells trigger such strong emotions and memories. I researched this, as my mental health can be altered/triggered by smells.
What was interesting was how this impacted brain anatomy. Incoming smells are first processed by what is called the olfactory bulb. I read it starts inside the nose and runs along the bottom of the brain. The olfactory bulb has direct connections to the amygdala and hippocampus. Interestingly, visual, auditory (sound), and tactile (touch) information do not pass through these brain areas. This may be why olfaction successfully triggers emotions and memories more than any other sense.
I read several studies that demonstrated smells trigger more vivid emotional memories and are better at inducing a memory. Several scientists also found that memories evoked by odors were linked to more brain activity in areas associated with visual vividness. Smells can also be potent triggers of negative emotions, particularly in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
I grew up on a farm, and we produced most of our food. I have some very harsh memories that impact me mentally. I once cooked grass-fed meat and was emotionally ill eating it. I put the steak up to my mouth and smelled the same smell of the beef from when I was a kid. I started to feel challenged, not in a good way mentally.
I recalled running with a Vietnam veteran who had issues with the smell of diesel when I was younger. He explained that it brought back intensely some war memories, feelings of guilt and helplessness. He could vividly see the burning vehicle, doors ajar, and billows of fire and smoke in his mind. When he told me that detail, I thought little about it, yet now I understand the impact as I note some emotional issues from smells.
The more I talk about this, the more people tend to agree. Some say that relationship attraction is more about appearance and aroma, which have much to do with a relationship. A friend said that when his girlfriend changed perfumes, he had a lower sense of desire. He also noted that perfume on other women did not have the same aroma as bogies, which can change the scent.
I have started recognizing the smells resulting in anger, helplessness, and similar issues. I need to start documenting to find calming scents that increase happiness. Once anyone can master the smells that are benefits or hindrances in life, we will have a much better experience.
Before I close, here is a minor health update. I have been taken off blood thinners but still have significant anemia issues. I have an infusion regularly, and I am supposed to take omeprazole, but with all the adverse side effects, I limit the use. I watch the diet, hoping it will yield a better result. I do have another heart scan scheduled and assume it is okay. Time will tell.
At work, I am getting killed. The past two weeks have been nearly 70 hours a week, and there appear to be another few weeks. Half the staff is out on paternity leave! We are still 20% lower in staff numbers than in 2006. We would like one more human when all other departments are at that level or higher. Ouch!!!! Then people get mad when there is no one to help them promptly, as in my government position, it is their tax dollars, and they think I am a slacker when it takes a day to get back to them. As of this morning, while I sit in a clinic waiting for a medical procedure to be completed, I am over 150 work e-mails behind. I triaged them but still have not replied to some that came in 5 days ago — unfortunate but true situation. I need to retire, but that is still 3-5 years away.
Complex emotions and memories can be triggered by a simple sensory cue: the smell of spring air, a farm, or even rain. I find smells trigger such strong emotions and memories. I researched this, as my mental health can be altered/triggered by smells.
What was interesting was how this impacted brain anatomy. Incoming smells are first processed by what is called the olfactory bulb. I read it starts inside the nose and runs along the bottom of the brain. The olfactory bulb has direct connections to the amygdala and hippocampus. Interestingly, visual, auditory (sound), and tactile (touch) information do not pass through these brain areas. This may be why olfaction successfully triggers emotions and memories more than any other sense.
I read several studies that demonstrated smells trigger more vivid emotional memories and are better at inducing a memory. Several scientists also found that memories evoked by odors were linked to more brain activity in areas associated with visual vividness. Smells can also be potent triggers of negative emotions, particularly in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
I grew up on a farm, and we produced most of our food. I have some very harsh memories that impact me mentally. I once cooked grass-fed meat and was emotionally ill eating it. I put the steak up to my mouth and smelled the same smell of the beef from when I was a kid. I started to feel challenged, not in a good way mentally.
I recalled running with a Vietnam veteran who had issues with the smell of diesel when I was younger. He explained that it brought back intensely some war memories, feelings of guilt and helplessness. He could vividly see the burning vehicle, doors ajar, and billows of fire and smoke in his mind. When he told me that detail, I thought little about it, yet now I understand the impact as I note some emotional issues from smells.
The more I talk about this, the more people tend to agree. Some say that relationship attraction is more about appearance and aroma, which have much to do with a relationship. A friend said that when his girlfriend changed perfumes, he had a lower sense of desire. He also noted that perfume on other women did not have the same aroma as bogies, which can change the scent.
I have started recognizing the smells resulting in anger, helplessness, and similar issues. I need to start documenting to find calming scents that increase happiness. Once anyone can master the smells that are benefits or hindrances in life, we will have a much better experience.
Before I close, here is a minor health update. I have been taken off blood thinners but still have significant anemia issues. I have an infusion regularly, and I am supposed to take omeprazole, but with all the adverse side effects, I limit the use. I watch the diet, hoping it will yield a better result. I do have another heart scan scheduled and assume it is okay. Time will tell.
At work, I am getting killed. The past two weeks have been nearly 70 hours a week, and there appear to be another few weeks. Half the staff is out on paternity leave! We are still 20% lower in staff numbers than in 2006. We would like one more human when all other departments are at that level or higher. Ouch!!!! Then people get mad when there is no one to help them promptly, as in my government position, it is their tax dollars, and they think I am a slacker when it takes a day to get back to them. As of this morning, while I sit in a clinic waiting for a medical procedure to be completed, I am over 150 work e-mails behind. I triaged them but still have not replied to some that came in 5 days ago — unfortunate but true situation. I need to retire, but that is still 3-5 years away.
