The Art of Scent: Hedonium and Emotional Fragrance

Andrés Gomez Emilsson is the director of the San Francisco–based Qualia Research Institute (QRI), a nonprofit developing formal models of consciousness and emotional valence. QRI’s research aims to untangle the harmonic, computational, and symmetry-driven mechanisms underlying phenomenological experience. They approach the optimization of subjective experience through two powerful psychotechnologies — psychedelics and meditation — using them to explore the state-space of mind and map the structure of qualia. In this conversation, we discuss the phenomenology of enlightenment, the non-local field effects of consciousness, and one of Andrés’ side projects: how perfumes and smells modulate perception and emotional geometry. Check out his work at https://qri.org/ and follow his channel at https://www.youtube.com/@QualiaResearchInstitute.MAKE HISTORY WITH US THIS SUMMER:https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go!00:04:22 Research Phases and Insights00:06:37 Dynamic Systems and Brain Waves00:10:00 Neural Oscillation and Interaction00:15:17 Coupled Oscillators and Consciousness00:21:55 Brain Activity and Anesthesia00:23:35 Understanding Brain Patterns and Psychedelics00:26:03 Consciousness Beyond Molecular Interactions00:28:06 Meditation and Psychedelic Experiences00:30:19 Tracer Effects as Psychedelic Signatures00:34:09 Insights into High-Dose Psychedelic Experiences00:40:05 Safety and Ethics in Psychedelic Use00:44:16 Psychedelics and Meditation's Impact00:51:55 Frames of Perception and Transformation00:56:00 Psychedelic Experiences and Emotional Well-being01:01:13 Harm Reduction and Substance Use01:05:09 Acceptance and Stress Management01:06:30 Meditation Techniques for DMT Experiences01:10:18 Nature's Role in Stress Dissipation01:14:18 Psychedelics in Modern Society01:22:03 Meditation vs. Psychedelics01:26:39 Psychedelic Experiences and Personal Growth01:28:01 Laser Chess as a Metaphor for Brain Function01:32:42 Expectation and Experience01:36:07 Ego and Enlightenment01:41:03 Identifying Enlightenment and Cultural Dynamics01:46:16 Recognizing and Switching Views01:48:24 Understanding Ego and Motivation01:51:00 The Artist's Dilemma01:53:37 Enlightenment and Motivation01:57:07 Paths to Enlightenment02:00:16 Psychedelics and Consciousness02:06:32 Flow States in Art and Life02:09:24 Meditation and Music as Repetitive Practices02:11:57 Awakening and Functionality Post-Transformation02:14:31 The Hive Mind and Inner Harmony02:18:11 The Impact of 5-MeO-DMT on Consciousness02:22:49 Visual Illusions and Perceptions of Reality02:24:49 Neural Annealing Theory02:30:02 Music and Neural Annealing02:34:20 Surprise, Comedy, and Sensory Experience02:37:47 The Art and Science of Perfumery02:44:09 Using Scents to Influence Emotional States02:51:48 Scents Inspired by the Natural World02:55:04 Premium Fragrances for Fundraising02:57:28 Pear and Violet Perfume Exploration03:00:47 Sensory Experiences with Perfumes03:13:32 Understanding Brain Dynamics with Psilocybin03:16:04 Personal Experiences and Differences in Psychedelic Effects #psychedelicscience , #consciousness , #neuroscience, #brainwaves , #psychedelictherapy, #meditationscience , health, #psychedelicexperience, #neuroplasticity #philosophypodcast, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. MUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671