The sense of smell was important to early humans. They used it to stay away from danger and to track food. Today, our noses still help us. We might notice a fire, leaking gas, or spoiled food just by smell. But we no longer need smell just to survive. It’s still very important to us, though.
It connects us to our memories and emotions. A smell you knew long ago can bring back memories and feelings from the past. The aroma of baking bread may make you think of grandma’s cozy kitchen. But a whiff of hot coffee may remind you of an accidental burn you got years ago.
Our emotional tie with smells is strong. It’s so strong, smell is often used to help sell things. Car sellers may spray new-car smell into older cars. Real estate agents spray baking smells at open houses. Some even bake real cookies! Some shopping malls use pizza smells to make shoppers feel hungry. That’s how they lure folks into the food court.
