When I first heard that, I didn't know exactly how true it was. 

But not too long ago, for whatever reason, my wife decided to spray on some perfume she hadn't worn since we were dating. OH BABY. With one sniff, a Pandora's box of memories and feelings immediately burst open. It was as if I was instantly transported back in time and was standing face to face with my teen sweetheart (my wife) that I had a romantic crush on.

So I decided to do some research. Apparently, 75% of our emotions are directly connected to what we smell rather than what we see and hear. Dr. Alan Hirsch of the Smell and Taste Treatment Center and Research Foundation in Chicago believes...

 

... that smells can change a mood state faster than anything else. For over 25 years Dr. Hirsch has researched and conducted more than 180 studies on smell, taste and other sensory phenomena. One such study by Dr. Hirsch documents the ability of certain aromas to enhance "getting in the mood." The study included 31 males who were exposed to 30 different essential oil aromas. The scents that produced the most excitement among the subjects were a combination of lavender and pumpkin. Now I know why Pumpkin Pie has always been my favorite desert. Women also respond to different aromas as well. The licorice aroma of "Good & Plenty" candy combined with cucumber smell apparently puts women on the prowl. Grrrrr.

Some might think this information is new revelation, but using aroma and fragrances to enhance love goes all the way back to Bible days.

"My bed is aromatic with spices and exotic fragrances."

"Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul."

"How beautiful your love, dear friend-- far more pleasing than a fine, rare wine, your fragrance more exotic than select spices."

Where do these lines come from? Straight from the Bible. Who knew the Bible could be a romantic handbook. Supposedly, our nose acts as a vehicle for transporting smells to receptors located on the edge of our brains at the top of the nose. These receptors go straight into our limbic system - the part of the brain that controls our feelings of happiness and pleasure. So, in effect, our nose gives us a direct route into our 'pleasure center'.  That might explain why realtors encourage homeowners to bake bread or cookies during an open house or light a vanilla candle. Vanilla is high on the list for soothing and relaxing fragrances.

ROMANTIC IDEA: So if smells can change a mood state and are directly connected to the part of the brain that stores memories and feelings of happiness, then wouldn't we want to incorporate that into a romantic date or special time together? Consider using essential fragrant oils or candles to fill the air with happy thoughts and enhance your time together.

Start experimenting with different smells for different occasions. You would be amazed at all the scents of candles people have come up with. I'm not sure "Buttered Baked Potato"(true candle) would have the right effect on your romantic evening. That's why it stands to reason that if pleasant fragrances are positive enhancers then unpleasant fragrances would have a less desirable effect as well. So take those showers and baths...use mouthwash...and stay away from the city dump and cow farm.   

CREATIVE DATE IDEA:  Go on a Fragrance Field Trip or Aroma Scavenger Hunt. Go on a date where you try to find as many smells as possible. When you find one talk about what you like or don't like about them or if any smells bring back memories. Go together to a candle store to pick out candles or essential oils that you want to use during a romantic time together. Try to smell as many as possible. Have fun. Don't give yourself a headache though. We certainly don't want to hear that excuse later. Go on a scavenger hunt all across the city trying to find a variety of smells.

The point here is to have a wonderful time that will be sealed forever in your memory because of the use of fragrances and smells. So hopefully later on when you smell a certain smell you are reminded of a great time together.

Search the internet for poems that relate to fragrances and aromas. On one certain Valentines Day triple date, we created an evening around poems. One such poem was I do not love you... by Pablo Neruda:

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

After the evening was over, my wife had mentioned to me that the poems and the whole night was one of the more special creative dates we had done. I can't imagine what the evening would have been like had we had a cucumber and licorice candle burning.