How to Associate Smells With Memories

Associating smells with memories is easy, as this is an involuntary reaction. When people encounter new smells, they often automatically link them to memory of the event or situation that is taking place. Most people encounter the majority of new smells during their early years, usually in the stages of childhood. However, as people grow and age, they still experience new smells that help to build memories. Memories of certain places, people and even traumatic experiences can be triggered by scent. It's easy to associate a scent with a memory as there are multiple, easy ways to do so.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider the functions of the brain. The brain's limbic system is associated both with memory and emotion. As your brain recalls the memory of certain scents, you will discover that you feel correlating emotions. For example, if the smell of a cologne reminds you of a fun date that you went on, you will find that you feel happiness or excitement at the encounter of this smell.

• 2

  Expose yourself to scents. Do this merely by cooking or going for walks through the neighborhood. You will find that certain scents cause you to conjure up memories of past experiences. For example, the smell of freshly cut grass may remind you of summer. A certain perfume may remind you of your mother. Humans associate smells with encounters, as this instinct is programmed in the human body. Humans associate smells in order to locate food and reproductive opportunities. Therefore, smells are programmed into memory in order to remind people of the purpose of the smell.

• 3

  Place yourself in situations in which you are exposed to new scents. You will find that throughout your life, you build new memories based on scents that you encounter. For example, the smell of incense may remind you of a specialty shop and the smell of wood may remind you of the time you built new kitchen cabinets. Test yourself; visit new restaurants or shops and actively notice the smells you encounter. If they are unique to you, you may find that you have created a new memory.

• 4

  Concentrate on incorporating a new smell with memory. Sometimes, people find themselves in situations where they try to remember every aspect in order to have the most pleasant and extensive memory of the situation. Many times, this type of emotional reaction occurs during big events. For example, on the wedding day, a bride may want to remember how the atmosphere smelled as she was going through the marriage ceremony. In this type of instance, inhale deeply and you will begin to associate whatever smell you encounter with this memory.