"Scent is the strongest link to memory"

[Neesy228]

Scent is supposed to be the strongest of your senses linked to memory. I was thinking about this today because I have a scarf that belonged to my mother-in-law (she just passed away about two months ago) and it smells like her. I put it on and she just feels a little closer to me.

There have been many studies done that show familiar scents lead to increased brain activity in areas associated with emotion and memory. So, are there scents that take you back to a certain place or time?

Some other scents that take me back:
The smell of honeysuckle - from when I rode my bike through my neighborhood as a child.

The smell of Johnson's Baby Wash brings back memories of my children in their little tub in the kitchen sink.

And I have a perfume I used to wear that now just sits on my shelf and reminds me of a happy time in my life whenever i open it.

 

[sasywtch]

Jean Nate and that awful lemon smell reminds me of my junior high years : )
Seriously, the one thing I always remember about the original Parent Trap movie is when the twin see's her grandpa and smells him. She tells him that when he's long gone, she will remember him smelling like peppermint and pipe tobacco. You made me think though. Unfortunately, memories come with bad smells and I tried hard to think of good ones! I'm from Rio Linda, home of the chickens and that's what I grew up with. No one around me wore perfume that I remember. Just odd I think.

 

[kimblebee]

I don't really have any smells I associate with memories. For me, it's all about music and movies. If I hear a song I can usually attach a memory to it. Same with a movie, I can remember the first time I saw it, or who I saw it with, or how I felt one time I saw it.

 

[Disneylover99]

The smell of Scotch tape reminds me of Christmas.

 

[lorimay]

Carnations alway bring me right back to my first Communion and my little bouquet. I love the way they smell.
The body lotion from Disney Cruise Line, I put that on every once in while and I feel like I'm back on one of the ships.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Yes, it is weird how it can kind of hit you out of nowhere and take you back. Some of the strangest things sometimes.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Scent is supposed to be the strongest of your senses linked to memory. I was thinking about this today because I have a scarf that belonged to my mother-in-law (she just passed away about two months ago) and it smells like her. I put it on and she just feels a little closer to me.

There have been many studies done that show familiar scents lead to increased brain activity in areas associated with emotion and memory. So, are there scents take you back to a certain place or time?

Some other scents that take me back:
The smell of honeysuckle - from when I rode my bike through my neighborhood as a child.

The smell of Johnson's Baby Wash brings back memories of my children in their little tub in the kitchen sink.

And I have a perfume I used to wear that now just sits on my shelf and reminds me of a happy time in my life whenever i open it.

Love's Baby Soft reminds me of my sisters, when I was a kid. They loved that stuff. Heaven Sent (or was it Scent) was my mom's.

J&J Baby powder and baby soap remind me of my babies.

Every once in a while, I'll catch a whiff of someone's laundry soap/fabric softener/bath soap/aftershave combination and it takes me back to the first boy I...well, "grew up" with. Not sure what those scents were, but that combination....

Lilacs and roses remind me of my grandpa's house in the city, and the scent of pine with wildflowers for his place in the mountains.

Original Old Spice...my daddy

 

[Sabeking]

I just had this conversation with a good friend. My mom passed in November and I went into her bedroom the other day. I have been strong and have not gotten too upset recently. I lost it because I could smell her perfume, cleanser, etc...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't really have any smells I associate with memories. For me, it's all about music and movies. If I hear a song I can usually attach a memory to it. Same with a movie, I can remember the first time I saw it, or who I saw it with, or how I felt one time I saw it.

Same here!!!

 

[holden]

Not sure if anyone hear has read The World According to Garp, but the part where Garp says he can still smell his son started the waterworks big time for me. Any parent can relate to that...

 

[TLSnell1981]

Honeysuckle and Hyacinth _ maternal grandparents
Fresh mint and Strawberries_ paternal grandmother
Roses_great grandmother
Gardenias_the Poly

 

[swandiverpatt]

I buy eggs from a woman that lives near me -- I went to the back area to visit the chickens. She asked me if I wanted to see a hen that was roosting. When she opened up the side of the little house the smell of hay, feed, and chicken swept over me and reminded me of my grandmother's farm when I was a little child.

 

[PigletsPal2]

The smell of gardenia reminds me of my mother; it was her favorite flower. Unfortunately, the smell makes me gag. It's just too sickly sweet for me. DGD wanted gardenias in her wedding in March, but her mom gently explained why it wouldn't be a good idea. She decided instead on lavender, which is fine with me.

My "signature scent" is Calvin Kline's Obsession. I've been wearing it exclusively for 23 years and whenever one of my DDs borrows an article of clothing, she sniffs it and says "mmm...smells like Mommy!"

Queen Colleen

 

[low-key]

A couple months ago I was walking a long and smelled some raw sewage, and it was like all of a sudden I was 20 again in Okinawa, all these memories came back to, it was like I never left 1980, it shocked me, I didnt know I still had some of them memories (adding Okinawa was a beautiful place with nice people, but at least where I was at always smelled the raw sewage at that time)

 

[PollyannaMom]

The smell of fresh snow takes me back to being outside as a kid, with no responsibilities and a whole day ahead of me.

As far as perfumes/colognes - Exclamation reminds me of college, and Polo, to call my Dad!

And here's a weird one - homemade play dough. Years ago, I was using my mom's old recipe to make some for my (then) toddler. There was nothing in the directions about how long to cook it - but all of a sudden, the smell changed, and I could tell it was done. It was like I was right back in her lavender kitchen!

 

[DisneyOma]

I was in Hawaii for a month during college, and as I was putting on some sunscreen (Bain de Soleil orange gelee 4) all of a sudden I'm thinking of my aunt. Couldn't figure out why I was thinking of her, until I remembered that she always used that sunscreen when she stayed with us on the beach in the summer.

I mentioned that when I gave her eulogy years ago, and I started to tear up.

 

[Neesy228]

I just had this conversation with a good friend. My mom passed in November and I went into her bedroom the other day. I have been strong and have not gotten too upset recently. I lost it because I could smell her perfume, cleanser, etc...

I know exactly what you're going through. Hugs and hopes for easier days.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The smell of tequila reminds me why I no longer drink tequila.

 

[Disneylover99]

The smell of fresh baked cookies remind me that my pants will be tighter, later in the week.

 

[Minnesota!]

B&BW Freesia reminds me of my momma. As does the smell of cigarettes on someone coming in from the bitter cold.

Rain on hot asphalt smells like my childhood summers AND Disney

Spaghetti sauce simmering smells like my grandma's house..