Scents Are The Invisible Language of the Garden, And the Brain
The garden is in full bloom, though some plants, like the clematis, especially gorgeous and abundant this year, are starting to fade. There were so many blooms that the trellis pulled away from its moorings. I want more clematis! Now the bulb plants are taking over, many of them scented as well. This makes me wonder about the power of the nose.
Scent is a primary function of the brain, essential for survival. Our brains are designed to help us thrive, and scent guides us: sweet smells draw us closer, while stinky smells lead us away. Our sense of smell is an early warning system for safety or danger.
Your olfactory nerve is the first sensory nerve, CN I. That alone suggests smell is important to humans. Your sense of smell reaches the brain in two ways. One is through your nose. The nose protects and serves as an early warning system. Airborne molecules enter your nose and send information to your brain, alerting you to approach or avoid. The other pathway is through your mouth. Taste receptors allow molecules from food or liquids to travel to the olfactory sensors at the back of your nose.
Our olfactory sense acts as an early warning system for survival. If you put something dangerous in your mouth, you will reflexively spit it out. Scents in the air similarly alert you to danger, prompting you to move away. Who knew your nose was such a good survival tool?
However, there are specific situations in which you do not want this system to take the lead. In certain types of danger, responders must be trained to tolerate odors to perform the necessary work. The same is true for soldiers in battle. They must also be trained to tolerate such smells. This is not an easy task because we are all naturally programmed to avoid them. Counteracting your brain is not easy.
For now, I focus on the sweet scents from the backyard border plantings and the flower garden by the porch. The image of a young maiden lying in a field of flowers is perfect. Who would not want to lie in a meadow and experience wonderful scents wafting through the air?
For more reflections on sensory experience, memory, and the brain’s emotional pathways, explore articles on Psychology Today and research from Greater Good Science Center.
If you are exploring how sensory experiences, early memories, or emotional patterns shape your well‑being, therapy can offer clarity and grounding. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support insight, resilience, and emotional renewal.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst