There is nothing more primal a sensation than olfaction. Because of the proximity of olfactory receptor cells and its association to the limbic system, which is one of the oldest parts of the brain, olfaction seems to have the ability to evoke the emotional aspects of our experiences. Although the process of how odors are exactly perceived, stored in memory and recalled years later is not completely understood, the memory of smells undoubtedly is still considered crucial to survival. The memory of odors in animal studies has been linked to many survival functions such as avoiding danger, seeking food, fighting, and mating. It could also be extended to allow time to participate in small group reflection.
Olfaction is a very important sense that it has similarities in terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates.
There are approximately 25 million olfactory receptor cells that collect smell information of an environment. Just like other senses or organs, olfactory fatigue can occur when a series of inputs of similar strength stimulate the receptors. Participants will select four areas. At each area, they will record the different smells they encounter for 10 minutes. Sensitivity to odors varies among people.