Learn about perfume power. It can influence our mind, memories and emotions

The journey of the fragrant ingredient

Does it seem to you that we're exaggerating about the influence of perfume ? Do a little experiment on yourself. Start noticing the fragrances around you more and focus on how each one affects you. When you smell disinfectant, you'll probably get a flash of the dentist's chair and goosebumps. But an apple pie just out of the oven instantly transports you to your grandmother's kitchen, where she used to make the best ones, and a nostalgic smile suddenly crosses your face. Got you!

Fragrances can do wonders with our mind. How do they do it? The olfactory information travels along a different path than that of the other senses and is thus faster and stronger. As soon as it enters our nose, it moves virtually directly to the limbic system, the emotional centre of the brain, and is directly linked to a particular emotion. It affects our mood or triggers memories without us even thinking about it. According to some research, smell can even help us recall experiences that are stored very deeply and would probably otherwise stay there forever.

A game with your own rules

You know what the best part of this whole thing is? You can use the effect of fragrances on your mood and state of mind to your advantage. It's not just about wandering around in memories (although that's fine too sometimes), but also getting in the emotional mood you need. As we already know, the feel of different fragrances is very individual, so you'll have to do a bit of testing and trying before you find your perfect match. But it's worth it.

Do you prefer energy or tranquility?

We'll give you at least some basic guidelines. If you want to kickstart your morning, opt for citrus fragrances. Lime, bergamot or grapefruit tones are associated with an influx of energy, and might just pick you up too. Vanilla, one of the most popular fragrances in the world, evokes many positive associations, and brings sensations of wellbeing and joy to most of us. It's just perfect for dates. And whenever you feel like calming down and relaxing, use the tones of lavender or wood.

Again and again

Suddenly it's a lot clearer why some of us keep using the same perfume over and over. A splash is enough to make us feel comfortable and safe or give us some confidence. And because fragrance is one of the first things we notice about others, our signature perfume has effects on other people too. Once our loved ones smell it, they associate it with us, even if we are hundreds of kilometres away.

Remember that perfume not only brings memories back to life, but also creates new ones. That's why the next momentous occasion deserves its own fragrance. Whenever you smell it, you'll remember the important moment again in full force. Will you try it?