Humans are not exempt from the powerful effect of smell on the limbic system. Every time I smell warm, homemade chocolate chip cookies, I remember the same thing. I remember running in the door, and chasing the smell to the kitchen. My Mom would be pulling a pan full of cookies out from the oven. After pleading starvation, and being forced to take an apple with me too, I was allowed to grab a couple cookies before being kicked out of the house until dinner time.
Most people have some sort of food related memory.
Often times this is why we eat, not because we're hungry, but because we want to feel the way we did when Mom made us cookies. I can think of many occasions when I'd rather be eating chocolate chip cookies with Mom, than say, stuck on the San Mateo Bridge. Everybody uses food occasionally to feel better, but when we consistently substitute it for emotions and feelings our physical health may suffer. It is important to understand that our physical and mental health are inextricably knotted. If we take care of one and neglect the other, complications of some sort will arise.