All scent originates as a chemical. Without chemicals, our
brain would not be able to perceive, or "read" a scent.
All around us are currents of air which are in constant
motion. These currents contain myriads of complex
combinations of odours that only trigger our attention when
they irritate or please us.
Every time we breathe, our noses take in these chemicals,
which pass over two small patch-like areas the size of a
penny that contains five to six million tiny yellow
receptor cells called the olfactory epithelium. Located on
these receptor cells are microscopic filaments called cilia
that extend into a watery mucous that surrounds the
epithelium. On the cilia are proteins that respond to
specific molecules. Like a key in a lock, when these
proteins come into contact with its corresponding odorant
molecule, a series of biological interactions are initiated.
First, there is an immediate rush of electrical activity as
one experiences the perception of an odour. Our sensory
nerves have long filaments, or axons, that are located on
the opposite end of our olfactory nerves. The axons send
messages to nerves located in the olfactory bulb which is
shaped like a protracted balloon. The millions of axons
that line its circumference transmit a pattern of activity
that is specific to the individual cilia that come into
contact with their corresponding molecules. Just as our
brains are able to store and recognize complex notes from a
symphony, it is also able to store and recognize complex
combinations of fragrance notes that make up our favourite
perfume.
How strong is our sense of smell?
Compared to a dog that has two hundred twenty million
olfactory sensors, humans have only five or six million.
While it may seem that humans have been short-changed where
noses are concerned, we still can nevertheless, recognize
thousands of different scents. Though we may not have a
piranha-sharp sense of smell, we can, for instance, detect
some substances in dilutions of less than one part per
several billion parts air.
How sharp is our sense of smell at birth?
Unlike our other senses, our sense of smell is fully mature
at birth and is one of the first senses that newborns
experience. Their sense of smell helps them to locate
their mother and her source of food. Without this
functioning sense, baby animals would not be able to locate
their mothers' milk.
Studies indicate that a newborn can recognize his or her
mother's nipple simply by its scent. In one study, mothers
washed one of their breasts while leaving the other left
unwashed. Over two-thirds of the babies tested chose the
unwashed breast.
Research conducted by Dr. Ira Lott reveals that when a baby
is introduced to a fragrance while being stroked—much
like a mother would do while nursing—his or her
ability to remember that scent is increased. The results
of her study suggest a connection between a baby's sense of
smell and the ability to learn at an early age. Dr. Lott
suggests that touching a baby increases his or her ability
to remember a scent and may help to explain why a newborn
readily recognizes his or her mother by her scent.
Other studies suggest that babies are most responsive to
body odours but by the age of three they essentially have
the same odour likes and dislike as adults. Newborns
subjected to pleasant odours reacted positively while those
subjected to unpleasant odours responded with "screwed up
faces." Studies within the womb reveal that foetuses react
to fragrances introduced through their mother while
newborns are able to recognize her scent in as little as
forty-eight hours after their birth.
Children's sense of smell—their odour likes and
dislikes—do not parallel those of adults until the
onset of puberty. A study conducted in 1976 and repeated in
1994 indicates that nine-year olds apparently do not have
sensitivity to certain musk odours. However, their ability
to detect particular odours is the same as both adults and
young adults.
----------------------------------------------------
Luke Vorstermans is the founder of The Sense of Smell Lab,
a world leader in the development of innovative products
that use our sense of smell to influence behavior, trigger
memories, manage cravings, enhance moods and improve sexual
health. To learn more about enhancing your sex drive, go
to http://www.scentuellepatch.com
No comments:
Post a Comment