Olfaction...

... is not a euphemism for some kinky game, it is the sense of smell.

In the words of Edina Monsoon (Ab Fab fame) "if there was only a scent that lingers longer than he does."

The sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses, it has the power to invoke past deep emotions and graphic memories. Whether that be the smell of a long lost love, or a graphic shag flashback... The smell of people can be intoxicating.

After numerous breakups, smell is one of the hardest things to let go of. Years later smells can come back to haunt you. We all may as well admit that we sniff the pillow of the one who broke our hearts and left us alone in the dark. I've been known to not wash pillows for many weeks. Why is this?

I am now in a happy relationship and I love to smell my partner's neck. Not sure why? But the scent sends shivers down my spine, my shakras swell and bulge and erupt... What a bizarre thing. Smell also invokes the most amazing and instant physiological activity.

I smelt 'Joop' on a man on the train this morning. Not only did it remind me of my past love (ancient history believe me), but I suddenly felt the nauseating emotions associated with being lied to, cheated on, left out in the cold all alone... How bloody bizarre! Music and songs I once shared with people also has an effect on me, but nothing as deep and physiologically moving as a smell.

Are human beings still susceptible to pheromones that create involuntary physiological arousal? We must be. I feel ashamed to say I'm a psychology graduate, but it is one of the areas I never really indulged in as a student. But now it fascinates me...

I wonder what the next arousing scent will be?

I must point out that by 'arousal' I mean any physiological change in the body or invocation of emotions, not necessarily of a sexual nature...