I have literally just finished writing a book, Sacred Aromatics: Ritual and Healing in Non-Ordinary States which will be published in September, 2026. What a great post, thank you!
So enlightening, so informative. The biology/physiology of scent was somewhat intuitive (I have long associated the smell of cut grass taking me back to playing baseball as a young boy), and I knew that scent went to a different part of the brain that connected to memory, but I didn't know all the science behind it. Thank you for all that! I wish I didn't need the science to "validate" the emotion or intuition, but it does help me concretize those experiences. Wonderful article.
Appreciate that! Yeah, science and intuition have a fascinating relationship. That actually reminds me of a Robert Sapolsky line: “The purpose of science is not to cure us of our sense of mystery and wonder, but to constantly reinvent and reinvigorate it.”
Fantastic. Especially control angle. Naturally if human behavior is less enlightened, we are easier to control. On the other hand, we don’t know of theres are dangerous boundaries on the freedom side. Still, clearly we are too deep in the control trap.
Wonderful essay. Thanks for sharing. Smell has always struck as a bridge to memory without artifice or filter. Like how smelling a smell from your youth can transport you back to that time…. Thanks again.
Thanks so much! Scent allowing us to time travel is so fascinating. For me, the smell of pancakes or bacon frying always brings me back to Sunday mornings as a kid
Incredible article. Thank you for sharing. I've been interested in the topic of smell for a while, in particular, how it can be used in more deliberate ways to shape experience. This is the first piece I've come across that actually takes the topic more seriously. Usually, if the topic of smell is brought up in conversation, people giggle as if they are nervous to speak on it! So this was so refreshing to read. Anyway, keep it up, thank you again.
Thanks so much! Agreed, it’s time to take the topic of smell seriously. Whenever people disregard the power of scent, I always think of this line from a classic Old Spice ad: “Believe in your smellf!” And honestly, that makes me feel better lol
Thank you for putting so much effort into an article like this. Super fascinating read! Blending science with intuition feels like it's really coming to the forefront now, at least I feel like it is.
In a culture that privileges abstraction and visual dominance, returning to scent is a return to the body, to memory, to vulnerability, to immediacy. If psychedelics dissolve rigid frameworks, scent helps the nervous system feel safe enough to let that dissolution integrate rather than fragment.
I have literally just finished writing a book, Sacred Aromatics: Ritual and Healing in Non-Ordinary States which will be published in September, 2026. What a great post, thank you!
No way, that's awesome! I can't wait to read it. Really appreciate the kind words 🙏
So enlightening, so informative. The biology/physiology of scent was somewhat intuitive (I have long associated the smell of cut grass taking me back to playing baseball as a young boy), and I knew that scent went to a different part of the brain that connected to memory, but I didn't know all the science behind it. Thank you for all that! I wish I didn't need the science to "validate" the emotion or intuition, but it does help me concretize those experiences. Wonderful article.
Appreciate that! Yeah, science and intuition have a fascinating relationship. That actually reminds me of a Robert Sapolsky line: “The purpose of science is not to cure us of our sense of mystery and wonder, but to constantly reinvent and reinvigorate it.”
Fantastic. Especially control angle. Naturally if human behavior is less enlightened, we are easier to control. On the other hand, we don’t know of theres are dangerous boundaries on the freedom side. Still, clearly we are too deep in the control trap.
Thank you and totally agree! I feel like somatic awareness helps us steer our own lives. I really appreciate you reading so closely
Wonderful essay. Thanks for sharing. Smell has always struck as a bridge to memory without artifice or filter. Like how smelling a smell from your youth can transport you back to that time…. Thanks again.
Thanks so much! Scent allowing us to time travel is so fascinating. For me, the smell of pancakes or bacon frying always brings me back to Sunday mornings as a kid
Incredible article. Thank you for sharing. I've been interested in the topic of smell for a while, in particular, how it can be used in more deliberate ways to shape experience. This is the first piece I've come across that actually takes the topic more seriously. Usually, if the topic of smell is brought up in conversation, people giggle as if they are nervous to speak on it! So this was so refreshing to read. Anyway, keep it up, thank you again.
Thanks so much! Agreed, it’s time to take the topic of smell seriously. Whenever people disregard the power of scent, I always think of this line from a classic Old Spice ad: “Believe in your smellf!” And honestly, that makes me feel better lol
Thank you for putting so much effort into an article like this. Super fascinating read! Blending science with intuition feels like it's really coming to the forefront now, at least I feel like it is.
Wisdom !!
Have you (or anyone here in the comments) read Jitterbug Perfume??
Not yet, but it’s definitely on my list. Funny enough, that book comes up almost every time I tell someone I’m interested in psychedelics and scent.
It’s very relevant to your amazing work here and also such a trip haha. This is your sign!
Feels like a sign! I’ll check it out. Thanks for rec!
In a culture that privileges abstraction and visual dominance, returning to scent is a return to the body, to memory, to vulnerability, to immediacy. If psychedelics dissolve rigid frameworks, scent helps the nervous system feel safe enough to let that dissolution integrate rather than fragment.
Spot on! Returning to scent is a rebellious act in a lot of ways