Do scents trigger different memories?

[dije1]

I notice that different scents or smells trigger different memories in me. For example, the scents of Escape cologne and Noxema make me feel like I'm back in junior high. What examples do you guys have of a scent reminding you of something?

 

[LATEXXX COMMANDO]

Of course.

Another big trigger is music. Just about every song I know or heard I can remember or put together with a time period, a setting, etc. in my past.

 

[BJ@LW&WW]

of the five standard senses, smell is the one most tightly tied to memories.

 

[Graves The Elder]

 

[dije1]

Pretty cool. What scent reminds you of something?

 

[CatchOmega]

The smell my oven makes when it's on, not a burning smell, but the smell the unit itself makes as it heats up, always reminds me of a girl that broke up with me when I was like 16.

It's fucking weird. We only dated for a week.

 

[shanegotu11]

Yea sometimes I'll smell something or see something and it triggers memories. I smell zucchini bread and think my grandma though its been 17 years since her passing. I will hear songs and think of friends u haven't seen for a decade.

The brain is a wonderful, complex thing. Its a shame we ruin it. Lol

 

[Graves The Elder]

Pretty cool. What scent reminds you of something?

numerous ones actually. food smells, wintry pine needle smells, a rich cabernet's aroma.
the intoxicating smell of a young woman's hair and perfume.
the distinct smell of burnt race fuel at the track when hot rods come by at speed.
all these smells remind me of the richness of my past...
and it makes me smile.

 

[dije1]

Yea sometimes I'll smell something or see something and it triggers memories. I smell zucchini bread and think my grandma though its been 17 years since her passing. I will hear songs and think of friends u haven't seen for a decade.

The brain is a wonderful, complex thing. Its a shame we ruin it. Lol

I haven't been in junior high for almost 20 years, but Noxema makes it feels like yesterday.

 

[RetiredSlave]

My mommy used to figure skate and often took me to watch when I was very young. I think of her everytime I step into an arena now.
Awwww so sweet. Shaddap.
Also the smell of diesel reminds of my days of being a drone labourer.

 

[Mike]

Sure, for me it's usually vague though. Often I'll smell particular scents in the air while outside that'll take me back to some other time. For me I have a photographic memory in the sense that I can literally feel myself taking a picture during anything traumatic or impactful. Unfortunately anything like that stays burned into my memory like it just happened forever. I think that's a key reason alcohol exists.

 

[RetiredSlave]

Sure, for me it's usually vague though. Often I'll smell particular scents in the air while outside that'll take me back to some other time. For me I have a photographic memory in the sense that I can literally feel myself taking a picture during anything traumatic or impactful. Unfortunately anything like that stays burned into my memory like it just happened forever. I think that's a key reason alcohol exists.

What happened if you dont mind my asking?

 

[Mike]

What happened if you dont mind my asking?

It's for anything my mind finds important.


For example reciting vows on my wedding day, when I was in a car accident I thought would be fatal, the day my wife left and the preceding argument. Childhood trauma stuff, like watching my mom get severely beaten various times. My mom dated a guy that used to psychologically torture me and who knows what else really. I have some scary memories that just end in a black hole. If I try to probe those any further I get crazy panic attacks. The last time I saw my cousin, who was like a sister to me. Coming home from visiting my grandparents on a greyhound bus, I read an obituary for my father on the way home and that's how I found out he died. I remember getting off the bus and my mom had an About To Deliver Bad News face. The time a bunch of cops pulled guns on me and I thought I was going to die. Lots of other stuff.

 

[fightingrabbit]

Everytime I fart it takes me back...

 

[RetiredSlave]

It's for anything my mind finds important.


For example reciting vows on my wedding day, when I was in a car accident I thought would be fatal, the day my wife left and the preceding argument. Childhood trauma stuff, like watching my mom get severely beaten various times. My mom dated a guy that used to psychologically torture me and who knows what else really. I have some scary memories that just end in a black hole. If I try to probe those any further I get crazy panic attacks. The last time I saw my cousin, who was like a sister to me. Coming home from visiting my grandparents on a greyhound bus, I read an obituary for my father on the way home and that's how I found out he died. I remember getting off the bus and my mom had an About To Deliver Bad News face. The time a bunch of cops pulled guns on me and I thought I was going to die. Lots of other stuff.

Stay strong friend. Ive had similar trauma, rough upbringing, alcoholic family etc. It had the potential to destroy me, but paradoxically Im now thankful for it for making me who I am and showing me who I want to be. Those who suffer and come out the other side have the option of defeat or triumph. My life has given me an acute awareness of right and wrong, a big heart and a strong mind.
I still have and always will have underlying issues but I chose victory. I own my problems not the
other way round.
I believe youll find your way and your peace. All the best to you.

 

[Mike]

Stay strong friend. Ive had similar trauma, rough upbringing, alcoholic family etc. It had the potential to destroy me, but paradoxically Im now thankful for it for making me who I am and showing me who I want to be. Those who suffer and come out the other side have the option of defeat or triumph. My life has given me an acute awareness of right and wrong, a big heart and a strong mind.
I still have and always will have underlying issues but I chose victory. I own my problems not the
other way round.
I believe youll find your way and your peace. All the best to you.

Thanks, and that's good to hear. As you get older eventually you think about the bad times less, so that's nice

 

[dije1]

Everytime I fart it takes me back...

 

[Kardashians]

Lol it's so basic, but the smell of this berry lip gloss reminds me of summer '08, which was a great time, and happiest I've been in life, and had everything together. When I smell it, it's good memories.

Then moved out to Alberta
Was still happy, but then stuff n things happen
Kinda start . . . idk, whatever-ing lol
And changed my gloss to the cotton candy one
So that one reminds me of winter '09

Idky, but these are like, the strongest? I guess. When I smell them, it's all over man.

They taste great too ftr, lmao

 

[fingercuffs]

...newborn baby's head

 

[weed]

I went to my niece's play at her school a while back & as soon as I smelled the cafeteria I got thaat nostalgic feel of a stomach ache I used to always get when I was younger.