Smell perception is influenced not only by the meaning of the scent but also by the intensity of the smell. Personal encounters with a specific scent can affect the individual's perception of its intensity. Different people may perceive the same scent intensity differently based on their genetic factory receptor expression. The perceived intensity of a smell can also affect the overall perception of the smell, with strong smells being associated with more negative experiences.
Does happiness have a scent? Dr Laurie has been trying to remove the bad smells in her life and bring in more fragrances that enhance her wellbeing. But she's noticed that some of the smells that bring her joy can be a little weird - like musty books and rotting seaweed.
So what's going on in our noses and brains? Laurie turned to neuroscientist Dr Rachel Herz (author of The Scent of Desire) 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.
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