Have you ever felt a specific emotion when experiencing a particular scent? Has a scent ever triggered a memory or enhanced/affected your experience in some way? Our sense of smell is intimately linked to the part of our brain that processes associated learning and emotions. The olfactory bulb (in our brain’s limbic system) makes direct associations to the feelings and memories that we experience. Without getting too technical, different scents are able to conjure up memories and powerful responses almost immediately. When we smell something for the first time, we automatically and often unknowingly, link it or associate it to a person, place or experience. Our brain forges a connection between the smell and that memory….whether pleasant or unpleasant. When that same scent is encountered again, the scent “association” is already there and elicits a memory or even a mood. This conditioned response to a scent is one of the reasons that we all have varying scent experiences.
Sue Phillips, international fragrance expert recently asked me to reflect and recall one of my most memorable scent experiences. I was immediately transported back to my childhood where I remember being super happy and carefree. I explained to Sue that the smell of baby powder evokes such pleasant and positive emotions for me. My first memory with the scent can be associated to my favourite doll (Who didn’t have a Cabbage Patch Kid in the 80’s?), whose birth date and full name I still remember. Now, every time I smell baby powder, it takes my on my very own scent journey, evoking childhood memories of pleasant experiences with my family. Reflecting back, I associate many of the scents that I enjoy/dislike today to different memories I had growing up. My scent preferences can almost all be linked to an experience or memory from my past….(i.e. smell of a pipe, sunscreen, freshly baked goods, peanut butter).
It wasn’t surprising to learn that a particular scent can bring on such a rush of memories or that scent in general has the ability to create, tarnish or enhance experiences. I actually think it makes a lot of sense if you really think about it.
Downy recently introduced Downy Infusions, a line of liquid Fabric Enhancers that add a hint of luxury to our everyday busy lives. There are six lasting and memorable scents, (Honey Flower, Orchid Allure, Lavender Serenity, Spice Blossom, Citrus Spice, and Sage Jasmine) that help to keep clothing smelling extraordinary from wash to wear. I have been using the Downy Infusions along with a capful of the Downy Unstopables, an in-wash scent booster, to create the most luxurious and customized scents for my entire family’s laundry. My favourite combination has been the Sage Jasmine Infusion paired with Glow Unstopables because the layers of fruit, florals and earthy undertones leave a lasting impression. Regardless of the scent combinations you come up with, the entire Downy line leaves behind a scent that fills your house for days and creates it’s own scent memory for all those that encounter it.
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Downy Infusions
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Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Procter & Gamble via Glam Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Procter & Gamble.
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