How can we affect the hypothalamus to signal full? The nose is directly connected to the hypothalamus. So now we have another formula;
I smelled it = I ate it
Dr. Hirsch points out that when the nose is stuffy or not fully open that it actually smells more deeply. The more deeply you smell; the more the hypothalamus is effected. Your nose has two nostrils and only one is open at a time. Smelling through the nostril that is not as open can cause greater stimulation to the hypothalamus. Take your finger and close one side of your nose. Now smell. Close the other side and smell. Notice the difference in scent and ease of smell. One side is harder to smell through and the scent is stronger.

Dr. Hirsch explains it this way.
An odor molecule in the air makes its way to the top of the nose to a pin-sized area of the olfactory membrane where millions of olfactory receptors are found. The odor molecule moves through a thin area of mucous and binds to receptor sites on the olfactory nerve. These receptor sites may be very specific, in that they are designed to detect particular odor molecules. We also know that some odor molecules respond better at some receptor sites than at others, which is part of the mechanism that allows us to discriminate between odors and identify odors that are present in our environment. Each of these receptors-and we have millions of them-will link with odor molecules that match them. Once an odor molecule reaches a receptor site, the body's electrical signaling system begins operation. The odor molecule stimulates a long thin neuron nerve cell-known as the bipolar receptor cell-to fire. We can think of this as stimulus-response

odor molecules-fire, mechanism. Now a representation of the odor molecule is transmitted up to the olfactory bulb at the top of the nose. The important point here is that the representation-or neural image or picture-of the odor changes. Through a complex mechanism, the original odor stimulus is intensified by a factor of one thousand. The intensified odor signal is projected through the olfactory bulb and reaches the main components of the brain. In other words, the system operates to take individual odor molecules and then intensifies them in such a way that the brain can respond to them.

The part of the brain where this is taking place is called the limbic lobe and is the seat of our emotions. The limbic lobe activates the hypothalamus which controls our drives and instincts and of course the ability to feel full. So you can see that smelling food can trigger instinctive or mindless behavior and we put food in our mouth. An emotional state could also trigger a desire for food.

We can also control what we feel by smelling certain scents. Vanilla scent in a home for sale seems to increase its chance for being sold. It is thought the vanilla gives one a sense of security, home, and feels good. Scents can also be used in the opposite direction. You can see and smell donuts on your office counter and be stimulated to eat one. If you take out vanilla essential oil and smell it, you can connect with the feeling of security, home, and just feel good. This could replace the need to eat the donut with the pleasure of feeling comfortable, at home, and secure at work.

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