Did you know that trying to guess the different aromas of a wine is more difficult than solving a math problem? According to recent neuroscience research, truly savouring a wine – that is, smelling and tasting each of its notes as opposed to quaffing it – can stimulate our brain much more than solving a complex arithmetical puzzle.
Gordon M. Shepherd, Professor of Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine and author of the book Neuroenology, says: “It involves multiple sensory and motor systems, as well as central conceptual systems for cognition and memory — and systems for emotion and pleasure.” In other words, the brain becomes more engaged because more body systems, such as the sense of taste and smell, are engaged in the process.
Interestingly, even a few years back, our sense of smell was considered the least important of the five senses, In fact, in a 2011 survey, 53 percent of millennials said they’d rather give up their sense of smell than give up a tech gadget. But it seems that now, somewhat belatedly, this overlooked sense is having its moment of revival. From aromatic oils that are designed to evoke a sense of calmness to scented candles that conjure up smells of favourite cities, more and more products are channelling the direct co-relation that our sense of smell has with our sense of well-being. So here are our top recommendations for a few mood-lifting scented candles for your home.