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The smell brain

  • Alan R. Hirsch, x, The Smell and Taste Resarch Foundation, Chicago, ILdr.hirsch@sbcglobal.net
Submitted September 14, 2011

Dr. Blumenthal's essay [1] eloquently demonstrates the phenomena of olfactory evoked nostalgia. In 1992, I demonstrated that olfactory evoked nostalgia occurred in 84% of subjects. [2] The number one odor to induce this among United States natives was baked goods. However, there were differences based on childhood location and age. Among those who grew up on the East coast, flowers were the most frequent odors to induce nostalgia for childhood, whereas in the South it was fresh air, in the Midwest it was farm animals, and on the West coast it was meat cooking and meat barbequing. Differentiation of the odor- inducing nostalgia based on age demonstrated that those born from 1900-1930 were more likely to describe natural smells such as trees, hay, horses, pines, and meadows whereas those born from 1930-1980 were more likely to describe artificial smells that made them nostalgic for their childhood. These smells included Play-Doh, PEZ(R), SWEETARTS, Vicks VapoRub(R), and jet fuel. Another deciding factor was whether the subject had a happy childhood. One in 14 of those studied described having an unhappy childhood, and of these, the odor that induced them to recall their childhood was malodorous: moth balls, urine, feces, blood, etc. This implies that odors have such a strong impact upon inducing memory; it can overcome any attempts to suppress such memories. One additional odor which differentiated one from having an unhappy childhood was cut grass. Those born before 1960 who described the smell of cut grass made them recall a happy childhood. Those born after 1960 describe their childhood as being unhappy. During questioning, there was a difference in the answers regarding the description of the cut grass, i.e., those born before 1960 were proud of the responsibility whereas those born after 1960 described this as a chore. Thus, the cultural zeitgeist in one's background may be hidden within "the smell brain."

References

1. Blumenthal HJ. The smell brain. Neurology 2011; 77:92.

2. Hirsch AR. Nostalgia: A Neuropsychiatric Understanding. Advances in Consumer Research 1992;19:390-395.

For full disclosures, contact the editorial office at journal@neurology.org

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Neurology | Print ISSN:0028-3878
Online ISSN:1526-632X

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