Our olfactory sense

One of the most fascinating parts of perfumery, and about fragrances in general, is the way our bodies perceive smells. The olfactory sense, or the sense of smell, plays a crucial role in how perfume works, and understanding the science behind this can help us appreciate and enjoy fragrances even more than we already do.

So how does our sense of smell work then?

The sense of smell is one of the most complex and powerful senses in the human body. Our sense of smell is based on olfactory receptors that are located in the nasal cavity. These receptors are specialized cells that can detect different odors and send signals to the brain, which is responsible for processing and interpreting these signals, and with 50 million different receptors in our olfactive sense, it’s no wonder that humans are so particular when it comes to scent.

When we inhale a scent, the odor molecules from the perfume enter our nasal cavity and bind to these receptors. These receptors then send electrical signals to the brain, which interprets these signals as different scents.*

So then how does perfume work exactly?

Perfume is made up of a combination of fragrant oils, aroma compounds, and fixatives, which are designed to create specific scent profiles. The scent profile of a perfume can be broken down into three parts: the top notes, the middle notes, and the base notes.

The top notes are the initial scents that we detect when we first apply the perfume. These are typically lighter, more volatile fragrances that evaporate quickly. The middle notes, or heart notes, develop after the top notes have evaporated and are often more complex and longer-lasting. The base notes are the underlying scents that anchor the perfume and can last for several hours or even days.

When we apply perfume to our skin, the scent molecules are released into the air and enter our nasal cavity. As the scent molecules interact with our olfactory receptors, we detect the different scent notes and perceive the overall fragrance of the perfume.

There are several factors that can affect the way perfume works with our olfactive sense. These include:

  • Body chemistry: The natural scent of our skin can interact with the perfume and alter the way it smells. This is why a perfume that smells a certain way on one person may smell different on another person.

  • Temperature and humidity: Temperature and humidity can affect the evaporation rate of the perfume and the way it smells. In warmer temperatures, the scent molecules evaporate more quickly, which can alter the fragrance.

  • Application method: The way we apply perfume can also affect the way it smells. Applying perfume to pulse points, such as the wrists and neck, can help the fragrance develop more fully and last longer because of the constant body heat emitting from these points.

Perfume is a fascinating product that works by interacting with our olfactory sense and by understanding the science behind how perfume works, we can better appreciate and enjoy the fragrances that we wear. With so many different scents and notes to choose from, there is a perfume out there for everyone, and at Antonio Chartrand, we are devoted to helping you find your forever fragrances.

 

*Here’s another way to think about this; each odor chemical has a specific code associated with it that coincides with specific olfactive receptors. For example, let’s just say that pink pepper has the code 15, 98,000, and 1,000,087. That means that receptors 15, 98,000, and 1,00,087 get blocked, which, in turn, sends the smell of pink pepper to our brain through electrical signals. Fascinating, huh?

 

Jared Antonio Chartrand

Founder & Perfumer

Antonio Chartrand

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