Courtney Massey - Visual Explanation

To most people, a smell isn't just a fragrance -- it's a memory. When you get a whiff of chocolate chip cookies, you may think of baking in your Mom's kitchen. When a warm breeze blows the smell of fresh flowers, you're instantly rocketed back to your first dance and the corsage your date brought.

And these nostalgic ties aren't just a coincidence -- there's science behind why we cherish these aromas. Our olfactory response is directly linked to the emotional center of our brain, causing a flood of warm and fuzzy feelings with a simple sniff. Unlike touch or taste, scents are directly correlated with past experiences. It's no wonder the smell of rain or the scent of a swimming pool makes us so reminiscent.

But aside from their memory-inducing powers, certain scents can also do amazing things for our mind and body. From stress relief to headache relief, certain aromas have a way of making an impact (and positively so). In honor of Sense of Smell Day, below find 11 scents that are more than just a nice fragrance -- they benefit your well-being.