How does scent influence mood, memory and behavior?Updated a month ago

Scent influences mood, memory and behavior because of its uniquely direct connection to the brain. Unlike sight or sound, smell bypasses the thalamus and travels straight to the olfactory bulb, which is directly linked to the amygdala (emotion) and hippocampus (memory). This neurological shortcut means scent triggers emotional and behavioral responses faster and more instinctively than any other sense. For businesses, this makes fragrance one of the most powerful and underutilized tools for shaping how customers feel in a space.