The Power of the Senses: How Taste and Smell Boost Our Wellbeing
The way we experience the world is deeply rooted in our senses. Research has shown that humans can distinguish more than one trillion different odours—orders of magnitude beyond the 7 million or so colours we perceive—while the average person is born with around 10 000 taste buds that gradually decline to about 5 000 by later adulthood. A familiar aroma can transport us to a childhood memory, while a well-crafted dish can offer more than just nourishment—it can uplift our mood, bring people together, and provide moments of joy. Our sense of taste and smell plays an unsung yet critical role in daily wellbeing, influencing everything from our appetite to our emotional state.
Though often overlooked, these sensory experiences are tightly intertwined with how we connect socially, how we find comfort, and how we celebrate. A leisurely Sunday roast with family, the first sip of a chilled drink on a summer afternoon, the scent of herbs in a bubbling stew—these moments enrich life far beyond the nutritional content on our plates. As our lives become increasingly fast-paced and digital, slowing down to enjoy these multisensory experiences is not only grounding but genuinely beneficial for our mental and emotional health.
In this article, we'll explore the science behind how taste and smell impact our wellbeing, examine their role in building lasting memories and social connections, and uncover ways you can create more of these sensory-rich moments in everyday life. Somewhere along the way, a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc may even make an appearance—supporting the idea that simple pleasures often carry the most value.
The Science Behind Sensory Pleasure and Mental Health
Our senses are powerful tools that shape how we interact with the world, but few influence our emotional state as immediately as taste and smell. Together, these two senses form the foundation of flavour perception—and, surprisingly, of emotional memory. The olfactory system is wired directly to the limbic structures of the brain, which helps explain why roughly 75 percent of the emotions we generate each day are triggered by smell and why we are about 100 times more likely to remember something we smell than something we see, hear, or touch. After a full year people can recall a scent with 65 percent accuracy, whereas visual recall of images drops below 50 percent after just three months.
Unlike other senses, smell bypasses the brain's thalamus, reaching the amygdala and hippocampus almost immediately—within a fraction of a second—so scent can stir feelings of comfort, nostalgia, or calm almost instantaneously. Taste, meanwhile, engages reward pathways, releasing dopamine and serotonin, the very neurotransmitters tied to motivation and mood. In practical terms, pleasure on the palate translates into a measurable lift in the chemistry of wellbeing.
The link between the chemical senses and mental health became unmissable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meta-analyses estimate that about 47 percent of infected people experience some loss of smell or taste, while large observational studies of mild cases report rates as high as 80–86 percent. Many of those affected described an abrupt dip in mood, appetite, and overall enthusiasm—highlighting how much sensory pleasure contributes to daily joy.
Simple rituals—like savouring the aroma of morning coffee, indulging in a favourite dessert, or pairing a light dish with a glass of sauvignon blanc—can lower perceived stress. One systematic review of 11 randomised controlled trials involving 972 participants found that inhaling lavender essential oil reduced anxiety in 10 of the 11 studies; a separate network meta-analysis of capsule-based lavender therapy in 645 patients recorded an average five-point drop on the Hamilton Anxiety scale. Pleasant fragrances in general have been shown to lift mood scores by about 40 percent. These moments are more than luxuries; they are essential touchpoints that support emotional resilience, comfort, and connection to the present moment.
Taste and Memory: How Flavours Create Lasting Impressions
Taste has an extraordinary ability to tie itself to memory. One mouthful of a specific dish or drink can bring back vivid recollections—where you were, who you were with, and even how you felt at that moment. These flavour-based memories can be so powerful that they seem to transport us through time without warning.
This isn’t just a poetic idea—it’s grounded in neuroscience. Because olfactory and gustatory cues plug directly into the brain’s memory circuitry, they become potent triggers for recall. A favourite pudding from childhood or a distinctive wine shared on a special holiday can become an emotionally charged anchor. Unlike purely visual memories, which fade or become abstract, sensory memories often remain immersive and immediate.
Flavours help us preserve experiences in a way that engages both body and mind. Think about the tangy sweetness of a lemon tart at a summer fête, or the herbal warmth of sage in Christmas stuffing. Even something as simple as a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc enjoyed during a garden picnic might become an enduring symbol of leisure and joy.
This connection also plays a vital role in identity. Regional and cultural dishes, family recipes, and personal rituals around food and drink shape how we define home and heritage. Embracing this link deliberately—by revisiting old recipes or building new traditions around specific tastes—gives us tools to immortalise moments in a deeply emotional and tangible way.
Social Rituals and Shared Experiences That Strengthen Bonds
Food and drink are far more than sustenance—they’re social glue. Throughout history, communities have gathered to share meals, toast milestones, and bond over flavours both familiar and new. The measurable benefits are striking: a national survey led by Oxford University showed that 76 percent of respondents felt sharing a meal was the best way to draw people closer, yet a third of weekday evening meals in the UK are eaten alone. On average, adults dine solo for 10 of the 21 meals each week, and 69 percent have never shared a meal with their neighbours. Conversely, the 57 percent who regularly eat an evening meal with others report higher life satisfaction and larger friendship networks.
The act of sharing a meal or drink invites conversation and closeness. It creates a pause in the day where people gather without distractions, focusing on each other. There’s quiet magic in clinking glasses or passing plates—a shared language of gestures and appreciation that strengthens relationships. Alcoholic drinks can add symbolic layers: a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc, for instance, often signals relaxation and conviviality without feeling heavy or formal.
These shared sensory experiences become cultural traditions—Sunday roasts, pub gatherings, picnics in the park—each with its own sensory landscape. Inclusivity matters too; thoughtful non-alcoholic options or dietary-aware menus ensure everyone can join in. At its heart, the power of shared meals lies in their ability to bring people together, regardless of background or preference.
Aromas That Comfort and Uplift: Beyond Food
Scent has a unique ability to alter mood almost instantly. Pleasant aromas can improve mood ratings by roughly 40 percent, and patient studies show that sweet, vanilla-like scents can cut pre-procedure anxiety by more than half. Lavender stands out: the 972-participant review mentioned earlier found consistent anxiety reduction, and Japan’s tech industry famously recorded up to a 54 percent jump in data-entry productivity when uplifting scents such as lemon were diffused through offices.
These effects extend far beyond the kitchen. Hotels use signature fragrances to cement brand identity; spas rely on blends of lavender and eucalyptus to signal calm. At home, assigning different scents to work, rest, and social areas can help the brain switch gears—boosting focus, deepening relaxation, or marking celebration.
Morning rituals that involve brewing a favourite tea, lighting a subtly scented candle, or simply inhaling the citrus-herbal notes of a freshly opened sauvignon blanc can transform routine tasks into mindful moments. When thoughtfully used, aroma becomes more than an indulgence—it becomes a practical tool for emotional harmony.
Sensing the Full Picture of Wellbeing
In a world that often prioritises productivity and speed, the quiet power of our senses offers a refreshing counterbalance. Taste and smell are not just passive experiences—they are active contributors to how we feel, remember, and connect. From the first sip of a familiar drink to the comforting scent of a home-cooked meal, these sensory moments shape our emotional landscape in profound ways.
The evidence is clear: the chemical senses stimulate memory, release feel-good neurotransmitters, and create lasting emotional imprints. They help us form bonds—with people, places, and even periods of our lives. Flavours remind us of who we are and where we’ve been, while aromas keep us rooted in the present.
Even in the smallest rituals—a glass of sauvignon blanc shared among friends, the scent of herbs simmering on a Sunday, or the joy of tasting a childhood treat-there is wellbeing to be found, pointing to the profound sensory and cultural richness available through experiences like visiting vineyards.
So, the next time you pause to taste, smell, and savour, ask yourself: what story is this moment telling, and how might it shape the way you feel tomorrow?
