Neuroscientists tell us that the sense of smell is directly connected via the olfactory bulb to the human brain's limbic system, those sub-cerebral elements which operate by activating the body's endocrine and autonomic nervous systems in response to various olfactory stimuli. The limbic system includes, among other members, the hippocampus, which is essential to the formation of long-term memories, the cingulate gyrus, which mediates autonomic functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, as well as attention and cognition, and the amygdalae, which play a central role in the processing and memory of our emotional reactions. To summarize in plain words, when we smell a scent, the brain quickly and vividly associates the scent with our memories and emotions. For a famous literary example of this phenomenon, consider the passages from Marcel Proust's Remembrance of Things Past, in which the subtle smell and taste of tea and a madeleine instantly transport the author to a uniquely happy moment from his Combray childhood.
Having some small appreciation now for the science of how scent affects us, we consider the art, or alchemy, if you will, of creating scents that can, at a time and place of your choosing, evoke these precious memories and emotions. Aromatherapists have long classified certain scents with corresponding responses; for example, basil is generally considered uplifting and energizing, while lavender is soothing and relaxing. However, each individual has his or her own unique memories to associate with any given scent.
The challenge we have undertaken, then, is to create just the "right" range of more than thirty (30) scents, blending pure essential oils and natural fragrances with the neutral white beeswax medium to produce the "magic" that recalls your favorite memories and emotions, or, more importantly, serves as your palette for creating new ones. Qualitas candles – for those who appreciate the best.
