Being human means that we
are
not ruled by smells.
The social behavior of most animals is controlled
by smells and other chemical signals. Dogs and mice rely on smells to
locate food, recognize trails and territory, identify kin, find a
mate. Social insects such as ants send and receive intricate
chemical signals that tell them where to go and how to behave
at all times of day.
But humans "see" the world largely through eyes and
ears. We neglect
the sense of smell—and often suppress our awareness of what our nose
tells us.
Mothers can recognize their babies by smell, and
newborns know their mothers the same way. Smells that surround
you
affect your well-being throughout your life.
Smells have a power over us. A whiff of pipe
tobacco, a particular perfume, or a long-forgotten scent can make us
remember scenes and emotions from our past.
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