sniff sniff..what's that I smell?

A few evenings ago, while falling asleep, I had a strange thing happen.  I suddenly had a memory, a faint one, of a smell from my past. I can't really describe it here, but that's not really the point.  The smell triggered in me not only a memory of a certain age range (teenage), but also a certain set of emotions.  I'd never really remembered a smell before, typically it's the opposite. At least it is for me. The human brain is known for sensing a smell specific from our past and it marvelously recalls an event, place, and/or feelings that go along with it.  Apparently even corporate marketing has taken to using smells to encourage sales.

I think it's a really powerful thing to imagine a smell can encourage a set of memories, but fascinating to think about the impact of triggering emotions.


What if you could somehow modify or encourage your emotions through a smell (aroma) therapy, of sorts?
 I suppose this is what all the aromatherapy experts out there are claiming to do.

Taken a different direction, as with my recent experience, could we potentially train our brains to recall a specific smell that makes us happy...or whatever emotion we're looking for at the time.  This could be applied not only to behavioral therapy but also the obvious marketing, and perhaps even theatrics training.  Maybe I'm nuts to think about this, but I think there's something valuable to be had in taking advantage of smells you know will make you your best self. What types of smells boost you to be your best? Food for thought found here from a local smell and flower essence expert I know.