If you‘ve ever smelled a candle, object or simply gotten a whiff of any aroma and instantly felt connected or it reminded you of a person, place, event or experience then you have experienced first hand how scents can trigger memories or emotions. Our sense of smell is one of the strongest connections we have to our memories & serve as context cues for memory formation & emotional conditioning.
Often times I‘m asked what my favorite scent is & my answer is always “depends on my mood” followed by my list of favs for certain moods. For example, when I’m cleaning I prefer to have a clean, fresh scented candle burning like our Hibiscus Palm or Black Sea. If I’m relaxing my go to scents are Eucalyptus Mint or Lavender, whereas as if having a in home date night with the hubby I’m likely to be burning Santal & Coconut or Seduction.
Everyone has had the occasion of breathing in an odor and suddenly finding themselves lost in the reverie of a memory from long ago; the smell of fresh baked bread perhaps bringing back mornings at Grandma’s house or a certain perfume that always brings back a certain time in high school. The scientific term for scents triggering memories & emotions is known as "the Proust Effect or Proust Phenomenon" in honor of Marcel Proust, the French writer. Researchers from Utrecht University in The Netherlands have found that when some people are exposed to a memorable event, memories of it are more vivid when there is an associated odor.
Here at L.E.A. it’s our goal to provide scents that create an aromatic experience while having positive effects on mood. Selecting candles, based on their scent or fragrance, can be a great way to improve your mood, reduce anxiety, and even combat fatigue or loneliness. See article below for a guide to selecting scented candles.
Have you experienced scent triggering a memory or emotion?
0%Yes
0%No