How Smells Affect Your Brain + Body
- Lindsey Simmons
- Jan 19
- 2 min read
Have you ever smelled something and immediately remembered something? Like your grandma’s cookies or your favorite place? That’s not just a coincidence, it’s how your brain is built!
Your Nose Talks Straight to Your Brain
When you smell something, like lavender, lemon, or cedarwood, tiny scent molecules go into your nose and connect with olfactory receptors.
These sensors send messages straight to the part of your brain that controls emotions and memories (called the limbic system). That means smell doesn’t go through the thinking parts of the brain first, it goes straight to the part that feels and remembers!
That’s why smells can:
make you feel calm or happy
remind you of a memory
change your mood before you even think about it
Why Is Smell So Fast?
Most senses (like sight or touch) go through a parts of the brain that decide what is important or not before they get processed. But smell skips that step and connects quickly with emotions and memories.
Different Scents Do Different Things
Different smells, like essential oils, can send different signals in your brain:
Lavender — helps calm your body and mind
Citrus — helps you feel more alert and happy
Woodsy scents — can help you feel grounded and balanced
Smell + Touch Together
Smell alone is powerful. But smell plus gentle touch (like a hand or neck massage with oils) can help your body relax even more. When we use both together, it tells your nervous system that you’re safe. That’s when real relaxation and calm begin.
Try It Yourself!
You don’t need to understand all the brain science to feel it, you just experience it.
Want a simple way to feel how scent affects your mood and nervous system?
Start with the AromaEssentials Bundle. It gives you a set of powerful essential oils that are great for calm, focus, and everyday support, plus a diffuser and simple ways to use them.
Want to go deeper with hands-on skill? Consider becoming certified in the AromaTouch Technique® with the AromaTouch Bundle and Program. This teaches you how to use scent and touch together in a step-by-step method that helps your body feel calm and regulated so you can share this gift with others too.
It isn’t just about smelling pretty, it’s a real way your brain and nervous system respond to the world. Your nose talks straight to the brain’s emotional center, and that can affect how you feel in your body and in your mood.
So the next time you smell something you love, notice how your body responds. That’s science at work!
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