Sniff test

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Scent can be very powerful, often evoking memories and positive associations more clearly than by looking at a photograph or listening to a song. When we think of our sense of smell and its link to memory, however, we tend to focus on pleasant scents – the aroma of a favourite dish or a loved one’s signature perfume.

While unpleasant smells and negative experiences warn us of dangers and hazards, could they also play an important role in how we remember things? According to a new paper, memories are actually strengthened if a bad smell was part of the original experience.

The study, published in the journal Learning and Memory, and with authors from New York University, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Weizmann Institute of Science, highlights the link between aversive odours and episodic memory. Aiming to build on previous research that has shown how adults’ memories are boosted by emotional associations, the researchers decided to focus on ...