From Ecology to Culture: How Environment Shapes the Way We Imagine and Perceive Smells

Why do people from different cultures prefer different smells? Can the place where we live shape the smells we love?

Through a cross-cultural study involving Italy, Spain, and Mongolia, this research investigates how environment and culture influence odor preferences, memories, emotions, and self-perception. The findings show that smell is much more than a sensory experience: it reflects our daily lives, personal history, and cultural background. Discover how different societies build distinct "olfactory worlds" and how the human brain transforms smells into meaningful experiences.