How Smell Works
What body part do odor molecules enter?
The nose.
True or False: Smells can remind you of memories.
True!
What should you drink to help support a healthy sense of smell?
Water / stay hydrated.
True or False: A sudden major change in your sense of smell is something you should tell a healthcare provider about.
True!
What detects scents inside your nose?
Receptors.
What two things can the brain connect with a smell?
Memory and emotion.
True or False: Smoke and gas are things our sense of smell can help us detect.
True!
What should you do if you suddenly lose your sense of taste or the loss lasts a long time?
Seek guidance from a healthcare provider.
Where do smell signals travel after being detected?
The brain.
Name one type of scent that may trigger a strong memory.
Food, perfume, or nature.
What should you regularly check at home to help keep you safe?
Detectors.
You smell something that nobody else can smell and nothing is actually there. What should you do?
Tell a healthcare provider.
Name two things smell helps us with.
Taste, safety, or comfort.
What part of the brain system connects scent with memory and emotion?
The limbic system.
Name two ways to support a healthy sense of smell.
Stay hydrated, avoid irritants, improve air quality, practice healthy habits, check detectors, or try scent training
Name two smell-related warning signs that mean you should seek guidance.
Any two: sudden major smell changes, sudden or long-lasting taste loss, unusual/distorted smells, prolonged nasal congestion, smelling things that aren’t there, or pain/pressure.
Put these in the correct order: Brain → Odor molecules → Receptors
Odor molecules → Receptors → Brain.
You smell your favorite food and suddenly remember eating it with your family. Why can this happen?
Smell is connected to areas of the brain involved with memory and emotion.
Why can losing your sense of smell be a safety problem?
You may have trouble noticing hazards such as smoke, gas, or spoiled food.
You hit your head, and afterward you notice that things smell very different. What should you do?
Seek guidance from a healthcare provider because the smell change happened after an injury.