HEALTH: The science of smells

Know your nose


Nurturing
Ellen Cox

Amazing nose facts: Via the nose, we have the ability (and sensitivity) to identify over 10,000 different odours; your nose can smell directionally (a very valuable warning mechanism); no two people smell the same odour the same way; your sense of smell is least acute in the morning; a woman’s sense of smell is keener than a man’s.
Our sense of smell plays a vital role in our wellbeing and quality of life. It brings us into harmony with nature, warns us of dangers and sharpens our awareness of other people, places and things. It helps us to respond to those we meet, can influence our mood, how long we stay in a room, who we talk to – and who we want to see again.
Our odour memories frequently have strong emotional qualities and are associated with  good or bad experiences. Olfaction (your sense of smell) is handled by the same part of the brain that handles memories and emotions. Therefore, we often find that we can immediately recognise and respond to smells from childhood – the smell of clean sheets, cookies baking in the oven or new books.

The science of smells
Most people think we smell with our noses, but they’re wrong. Our nose simply modifies the temperature and humidity of the air we inhale and collects any foreign matter to prevent it being further inhaled.
Smelling begins at the top of the nostrils where receptor cells connect to millions of olfactory nerves and messages travel to the olfactory bulb, which belongs to the central nervous system. All of this means that when we smell something, various responses are triggered in the brain, resulting in the release of euphoric, relaxing, sedative or stimulating neurochemicals. Seratonin and noradrenalin are two well-known neurochemicals and are the body’s ‘natural feel good’ chemicals.
Researchers have discovered that aromatic molecules from essential oils can and do influence mood, evoke emotions and counteract stress. This is one good reason to regularly use essential oils. There is no comparison to using pure essential oils (even in an oil burner) over synthetic fragrances, which can irritate allergies and aggravate respiratory complaints.

A world without smells
Anosmia is the absence of smell and it can be total (nothing at all is smelt) or specific (inability to register certain smells) or temporary loss of smell (due to a cold or allergies, such as hayfever or sinusitis). Studies have shown that a person’s sense of smell or part of can return. Sadly there are no simple cures for anosmia except where underlying ailments such as a cold are the cause. I never gave it much thought until meeting a lady who had lost her sense of smell for over 20 years and, as is common, also lost her sense of taste. Her quality of life was seriously affected, but the greatest concern to her family was that of her safety: She would be unable to smell fire, burning food on a cooker or gas. I reflected on the magnitude of losing any of our senses, the senses we take for granted every day.
The question often arises whether aromatherapy can work for people who have no sense of smell. Obviously, the instant pleasure that certain aromas create for an individual will not be present. However, with regard to aromatherapy and addressing physical ailments, the chemical components of essential oils do not differentiate between those of us with an ability to smell and those who do not – they enter our blood stream and work without discrimination, bringing about the same benefits for all. So, even if you don’t have a sense of smell, aromatherapy will work for you.

Priceless
The nose of a perfumer or winemaker is their most important asset. In 2008, a Dutch winemaker insured his nose for €5 million. The policy requires him to stay clear of ‘incompetent barbers’, ‘fire-breathing’ and ‘riding a motor cycle’. A policy not to be sniffed at! Dr Avery Gilbert is a smell scientist and his book, ‘What the Nose Knows,’ was published last year. It makes for a fascinating read.