Marcel Proust once wrote, “the smell (and taste) of things remain poised a long time, like souls…” We associate memory and smell at an early age. Fetuses are able to distinguish garlic, cigarettes, and other strong smells from flavours compounds found in the amniotic fluid of their mothers. Once that child is born, both he and his mother can recognize each other by smell.
Humans can distinguish among 10,000 odours. A scent can evoke fond memories and give us a feeling of well being. Marketers and businessmen are taking advantage of the neurobiology of scent to enhance sales. They know that we process scent in our limbic system – that “animal” portion of our brains that gives us drive and emotion. Who doesn’t recall the smell of a lover’s hair against newly laundered sheets? The smell of hospitals forever reminds us of illness or other unpleasant things.
Scent marketing is used to change our spending habits in subtle and subliminal ways. In Japan the smell of citrus is used to enhance work production. Harrods of London increase their sales by using a lime-basil fragrance beginning at the front entrance of the store. Gamblers in Las Vegas gamble up to 40% more when pleasant smells are piped into the premises.
Scent systems are easy to use. Just pop in a cartridge and a measured amount of scent entices customers into your store. A baker may make his pastries even more appealing by aromas that smell better than the real thing – dark chocolate, vanilla bean, or spicy vanilla.
scent machines can be used in homes or businesses. They come in a variety of shapes and can accommodate different room sizes. Once the machine is plugged in, you choose the fragrance relaxes you or stimulates you after a rough day at work.
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