Why the Same Smell Can Relax One Person and Annoy Another

Ever wonder why the scent of baking bread makes someone sigh with happiness while another person wrinkles their nose? Or how one person finds lavender comforting, but someone else gets a headache from it? This is a very common thing, yet a lot of people don’t know why this occurs.

Smell is personal; more than we usually admit. Fragrance isn’t just some background detail. According to a study published in the journal 'Frontiers in Psychology', a single whiff can drag up a memory from years ago, bring someone you love to mind, brighten your mood, or make you uncomfortable, often before you even realize what’s happening.

The Link Between Smell and Your Emotional Brain

According to Dr Blossom Kochhar, Pioneer in Aromatherapy, Skincare Expert and Chairperson of Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies, here’s what’s actually happening: you breathe in, odor molecules hit receptors in your nose, and those receptors shoot messages straight to your brain; the parts that store memories and emotions. It’s a direct line from a scent to how you feel.

That’s why a fragrance like jasmine might flood one person with memories of their grandmother’s garden, while another person thinks, “Oh, that’s kind of nice."

Even the smell of food, maybe a certain curry or bread, can bring someone comfort but remind someone else of a bad day they’d rather forget.

Over time, your brain starts connecting smells with your own stories.

Your Memories Set the Scene

This is really the heart of the whole thing. How you react to a certain smell depends on what you’ve already lived through.

• If you smelled sandalwood every time your family got together for holidays, you might always love it.
• But if you caught that scent during a tough, lonely time, it might always make you uneasy.

There’s no universal ‘relaxing’ smell. Lavender, rose, sandalwood, citrus- people talk about them as calming or uplifting, but your mind’s history with each one is what truly matters.

How Sensitive Is Your Nose?

Not everyone smells things the same way. Some people can catch whiffs no one else notices, and sometimes, that’s not a great thing. If your sense of smell is sharp, a strong perfume or oil can hit too hard and quickly turn from pleasant to overpowering.

Even the space you’re in changes things. A scent that’s gentle in a big, airy room can take over and become unbearable in a small, closed area.

Honestly, that’s why I always say: go easy with scents and keep your room well-aired.

Also Read: Spraying Perfume On Your Neck Might Trigger Hormonal Imbalance

What You Expect Shapes What You Feel

It’s not just your memories, either; it’s what you expect.

• If you always use lavender oil at bedtime, your brain learns to connect that smell with winding down.
• Same thing: if citrus means ‘clean and fresh’ to you, smelling it will most likely wake you up and give you energy.

Smells can help you relax or brighten your mood, but they won’t solve serious health problems. Think of them as pleasant little touches in your day or your self-care routine.

Why Aromatherapy is a Different Experience for Everyone

Aromatherapy uses plant-based extracts and oils, but no single formula works for everyone. One person’s idea of ‘soothing’ might send someone else running for fresh air.

“My advice is forget the labels and pay attention to what actually makes you feel good,” shares Dr Kochhar.

Lean in to scents you already love. Start small, use less than you think you need, open a window, and always use oils safely, especially if you’re mixing them into lotions or putting them on your skin.

Also Read: 10 Common Mistakes People Make When Using Essential Oils

Your Nose Tells Your Story

At the end of the day, your brain doesn’t process a scent on its own; it colors every smell with memories, expectations, and how sensitive you are to everything around you. If something helps you relax but irritates your friend, that’s not weird. You have different stories attached to the same smell.

Final Word

So, when it comes to fragrance, there’s no need to chase someone else’s idea of what works. Notice what feels good to you, where you like certain scents, and which ones you’d rather skip. The best perfume is not what someone tells you to buy; it is the one your mind already feels good about. That’s the one worth keeping around. So, don’t feel bad when someone doesn’t resonate with your liking, or when you hate someone’s favourite scent. This is your brain doing its thing.