The Power Of Smell !
If you’re a candle lover, you probably have a pretty strong relationship with scents and your sense of smell. There’s something about coming home and lighting a good smelling candle that triggers peace and calms the nerves. That’s why we all love candles with bold lingering aromas. At Alani and Renee, we craft our scents with the possibility of the feelings the candles can arouse in mind. The coconut wax seals the scent, giving your days of relaxing scents.
Different smells trigger different memories and emotions, which explains why you can walk into a building and immediately place the smell, like a hospital, creating a mental picture of the last time you were there. Or the feeling you get when you sniff the pages of an old book. Something in smell triggers our memories and causing overwhelming feelings sometimes. We know the power of smell at Alani and Renee Candle Company, which is why we strive to source the most natural waxes and best smelling fragrance. But what is it in us that makes us so connected to smell? Let's look at how the nose and sense of smell work.
Your sense of smell is connected to your chemosensory system, and the process of smelling is called olfaction. In the nose, there are about 450 sensory neurons that work as receptors for the microscopic molecules released by things around us - smells. The receptors signal neurons in the nose, which notify the brain, all in a matter of seconds! According to the National Institute on Deafness And Other Communications Disorders, “There are more smells in the environment than there are receptors, and any given molecule may stimulate a combination of receptors, creating a unique representation in the brain.”
Meaning we don’t pick up every scent around us. Ever been out with a friend who can pick up any scent, meanwhile you don’t smell anything? That’s why. Scents aren’t only picked up by the nose but also by the roof of the mouth/ throat. It is true that the sense of smell and taste are closely related. Aromas released by food enter the nose as we chew. It goes back to that old saying about food, “If it smells good, it probably tastes good.”
How the nose works is one thing, but our emotional connection to smell goes from just function to emotion. Knowing how smell works, that leads us to ask what is it about different scents that cause us to feel? The sense of smell is considered the most primal of the five senses. Our sense of smell can alert us to danger, food, and even potential mates. Humans have used their sense of smell as a tool for survival over time.
Whether it be mom's cooking, a new baby, or your partner’s cologne, smells can also affect our feelings. Your sense of smell holds stronger memories than your sense of sight. Visual memories fade over time whereas smelling a familiar scent can recreate a distinct memory. The things we smell can affect our perception of time, mood, and even productivity. Certain smells like lemon can increase alertness which makes it easier to focus and get work done.
Fun Fact: The power of smell is so strong, scent marketing is now a growing trend. Of the five senses, smell has the biggest impact on consumers, “Smell has a greater impact on purchasing than everything else combined,” says Alan Hirsch, neurological director of the Smell & Taste Treatment & Research Foundation in Chicago.
All of this means we should be just as intentional about the scents we surround ourselves with. The scents you surround yourself and family with matter. Just as we sensor ourselves from triggering images and music, the same should be done with scents. Alani and Renee create candles with the effects the scent will have in mind. Whether our Electric Lemonade which provides a fruity and sweet scent to lighten the mood or our Tropical Vibes Candle that’s reminiscent of a relaxing day on the beach, we aim to wake up those scent receptors and create that same peace in your home. Visit our website and order you coconut wax candles today.
