Our sense of smell is complicated. Here’s a simplified version of what we know happens when we detect a smell…
As air is first brought into the nose by sniffing or inhaling when we breathe. It makes its way across the membranes of our nasal cavity, depositing tiny scent molecules. These molecules pass across a patch of 10 million cells located there and attach themselves to a corresponding receptor (a sensitive protein). There are 400 varieties of receptors, each able to detect only one type of smell. Essentially, a scent molecule must be “found” by a corresponding receptor before it can be perceived as a smell.
Once a scent is detected, a signal is sent to the bundle of nerves located on the bottom of our brain known as the olfactory bulb. It is believed that this area functions as a kind of filter, bringing information to the brain and also sorting sensations into perceptions. The olfactory bulb is part of the limbic system, or the “emotional brain,” since it houses structures vital to behavior, mood and long-term memory. Here, the brain works to identify and make sense of the scent signal, forming an overall experience. The brain “detects the signals sent to it and synthesizes them into an experience.”
At Heipod, it is our privilege to create timeless scents that evoke memories and exude luxury.