The Scent of Desire

Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense of Smell

Book • 2007

Author

Rachel Herz

This book is the definitive psychological study of the importance of smell in our lives.

It explores how smell functions, its role in nourishment, procreation, and relationships, and its link to our survival.

Located in the same part of the brain that processes emotion, memory, and motivation, smell is crucial to our physical and emotional well-being.

Herz examines how smells affect our emotional lives, trigger memories, and influence our daily choices.

The book includes personal accounts and research findings to illustrate the profound impact of smell on human experience.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 5 episodes

Mentioned by

Chuck Bryan

as the author of a book exploring the sense of smell and its connection to desire.

68 snips

Selects: How Perfume Works

Mentioned by

Adam Grant

as one of the books

Rachel Herz

has written.

65 snips

ReThinking: The science of taste and smell with Rachel Herz

Mentioned by

Christina Kim

while discussing her anosmia and the impact on her memories.

40 snips

History of the Self: Smell and Memory

Mentioned by

Laurie Santos

to explain why we respond to certain smells and how we can use scent to reduce stress, boost our happiness, make us perform better and even to find the perfect mate.