“Memories triggered by scents can feel very powerful indeed,” says psychologist Dr Meg Arroll.

“Certain scents, especially those from childhood, can elicit strong, immediate emotions, and can even feel overwhelming in the moment.

“For instance, walking past a stranger in the street who happens to be wearing the same fragrance of a much-loved but departed relative can cause a tsunami of memories and emotions.

“A wealth of research shows that scent can also trigger positive autobiographical memories and even has the potential to boost mood, decrease negative feelings and halt cravings.

“This is because there is a neuroanatomical relationship between olfaction and the neural pathways associated with emotion – these pathways are developed throughout our lives and influenced by our odour perception, genetics, gender, age, personality and life experiences.”

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