The Forgotten Sense: The Science of Smell by Jonas Olofsson

Spring’s ‘Must Read’: The Forgotten Sense: The Science of Smell by Jonas Olofsson

One of the world’s leading researchers into the science of smell has just published a fascinating exploration of our most essential yet least understood sense. The Forgotten Sense: The New Science of Smell reveals new discoveries and new recoveries that enable us to better appreciate aromas and fragrances, influence our personal relationships and understand how our brain interacts with our sense of smell.

Cognitive scientist and smell researcher Jonas Olofsson uncovers sophisticated processes that drive our olfactory system, with profound implications for our we perceive the world around us. Drawing from cutting-edge original research, Olofsson shows that not only is our sense of smell extraordinarily sensitive, its process of chemical exchange shaped human evolution on its most fundamental. Much of this information has stumped scientists for centuries.

“Smelling is the easiest and most natural thing in the world,” explains Olofsson. “We do it all the time. We breathe in for four seconds. That’s up to one thousand inhalations per hour over twenty thousand times per day. The we breathe in and out carries vital oxygen, which is sucked down our windpipes and into the alveoli, where it is transferred to the bloodstream and can oxygenate all parts of the body. But the air contains more than oxygen, and on its way to and from the lungs, it passes through the nose, mouth and throat. There, a number of remarkable biological processes take place that shape how you experience the world. I and my colleagues at Stockholm University explore the vastness of the sense of smell – how smells create experiences, emotions, memories, behaviours. My research group consists of neuroscientists, psychologists, linguists, sensory scientists and computer scientists who share a common interest in the sense of smell. Nowadays, the human sense of smell is a popular research topic, but for many years it was almost completely unexplored.”

From the pheromones, environmental signals and emotions we process with each breath, olfaction makes us the individuals we are. Moreover, smelling is an intellectual exercise, one that we have the remarkable capacity to strengthen and, with some effort, even regain after illness.

“The sense of smell is fascinating to anyone who has reflected on its elusive but powerful influence. Smells and scents are the world’s best social icebreakers. When people hear what I’m researching, they immediately start talking. First there are discussions about food and wine, but pretty quickly they move on to personal topics: about the smells that evoke memories of childhood, relatives that have passed over, pregnancy, love and sex. When people talk about their sense of smell, they also tell us something about themselves, their feelings, thoughts and relationships.”

The Forgotten Sense explores the little-known depths of scent and how it shapes us. A truly groundbreaking book that will appeal to fragrance enthusiasts of all ages.

The Forgotten Sense of Smell is available on amazon.ca

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