Can Odors Affect the Left Brain As Well?
Odor induced feelings do influence thought content and the thinking process, mental concentration and perhaps even rational judgment which is left brain activity but only indirectly. They can also affect our moods which are not only complex but transient. Moods can strongly affect and determine every behavior from eating habits to social conduct. So what happens? Odor stimuli in the limbic system release neurotransmitters: Endorphins reduce pain, stimulate sexual feelings, and produce a sense of well-being. These are also feel-good hormones. Endorphins are endogenous opioid polypeptide compounds. These are big words that simply tell us that these hormones are created by the body and have similar actions to opiates. They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus during strenuous exercise, excitement, and orgasm. And, they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being. Endorphins work as “natural fever relievers.” The term “endorphi
