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Your brain on scent…

Last week I shared some details of last year when my father, aunt and uncle passed away and a close friend was senselessly killed in a drive-by shooting. The outpouring of care and love from people that we know only through The Perfumery has been incredibly touching and to some extent overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who took the time to send us a message, we are very grateful.

On our website we have published the story of my Mom’s ordeal and how it influenced us to start The Perfumery.

I would like to share another story that just confirms for us the amazing importance of scent in our lives. The powerful tether scent has to our memories and emotions and who we are as people.

I shared in last week’s newsletter that my Dad had for a number of years suffered from Alzheimer’s, a truly horrible affliction. What few people know is that Alzheimer’s has a smell, if you have smelled it you know, if not it’s hard to explain.  

My mom hated that smell on my Dad. I don’t think it was the smell itself, but rather what it represented – an ever-present reminder that the essence of him as a person was slowly disappearing. 

We were very blessed to find a good home for my father that was also close to where we stay, so visiting him was made easier. My mom would visit most days. She would make sure he was well shaven, his hair was neatly combed, and he was properly dressed. She would then spray on one of the fragrances that she loved on him. Paco Rabanne pour homme, Dior Farenheit or Van Cleef and Arpels Zsar. He would for a couple of precious moments in those few hours she was with him become her husband again and she could be his wife, sweethearts for over 60 years.

On the days when the nursing home staff dressed him, it just wasn’t the same. They were amazing people and we are forever grateful for the care he received, but without the ritual of dressing, grooming, perfuming and connecting him, he would stay hidden, lost in a sad and confused world.  

I wasn’t paying attention and only realised in the last year or so of his life that those scents could draw him out. I don’t have a good explanation for why, other than I know that scent affects all of us profoundly on a deep emotional and physical level. Maybe on some base level they reminded him of what he once was, or were a gateway to a few distant memories, I don’t know, but his demeanour would change, he would look me in the eye and for a brief period he would look like my Dad.

This weekend is Easter, an important time on the Christian calendar. It’s a time to both reflect and to celebrate. Easter too has a scent, the nostalgic smell of frankincense and myrrh and old wood, delicious chocolate, toasted hot cross buns and cups of hot tea. It’s the scent of family celebrating together, of bonds being strengthened and memories created.  

No matter whether you celebrate Easter or not, get your families together and find something to celebrate, spread the love and make memories. They are more important than you realise. 

Happy Easter.

“Perfume is the most intense form of memory.”

Jean Paul Gaultier

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