Interesting tidbit from one of the Genius Grant recipients, neurobiologist Rachel Wilson:

Something that is interesting about olfaction is it seems to have a very intimate connection with the sense of emotion and memory. We’re interested in why it is that it seems to be such a visceral and emotional sensory modality.

As I’ve started living in California, the scent of the evening air has evoked the great memories of my childhood visits. Smell is without a doubt the sense I am most acutely aware of. It’s interesting to learn that there’s scientific evidence behind the vivid memories smells can conjure for me.