How smell brings back memories faster than other senses
UC expert featured in Personal Care Insights article
The University of Cincinnati's Kelly Dobos was featured in a Personal Care Insights article discussing why humans are attracted to pleasant smells for a mix of biological, psychological and cultural reasons and safety guidance for the industry when creating fragrance.
“Biologically, our olfactory system has a direct neural connection to the brain’s emotion and memory centers. That’s why the smell of something familiar, such as fresh-baked cookies or a favorite perfume, can instantly transport us back to a moment in time,” said Dobos, a cosmetic chemist and adjunct instructor in UC's Cosmetic Science Program in the James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy.
Dobos explained that even the “clean” smell we associate with laundry isn’t natural. It’s a carefully crafted scent marketed and reinforced over time.
“Global industries play a big role in shaping what we think smells good, often blending science with storytelling," she said. “When you perceive a scent, odor molecules detected by receptors in your nose send signals directly to the olfactory bulb. This direct route allows smells to powerfully and immediately evoke memories, often with a strong emotional response."
Read the Personal Care Insights article.
Featured photo at top of perfume bottles. Photo/Luza Studios/iStock Photo.
Related Stories
Recent advances may speed time to endometriosis diagnosis
March 16, 2026
The average time to clinical diagnosis of endometriosis is nine years. Definitive diagnosis of the disease is difficult, and until recently, has relied on laparoscopic surgery. Now, as Medscape recently reported, novel clinical recommendations, advanced diagnostic tools and research into inflammation and immune responses, are bringing promise that women with endometriosis will find relief sooner and without surgery, according to experts, including Katie Burns, PhD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine associate professor.
Position-specific helmets may not improve protection
March 16, 2026
Local 12 highlighted a new study by biomedical engineering researchers that looked at how well new football helmets protected players from impacts that can cause concussions.
UC biologist talks about 'pearmageddon'
March 16, 2026
WLWT talks to UC biologist and Department Head Theresa Culley about invasive, nonnative Callery pear trees that are spreading across Ohio forests after they were introduced by landscapers more than 50 years ago.