Which sparks memories more for you, music or smells?

Question

I was reading somewhere that scent is the biggest trigger of memory but for me, it is music. Sometimes when I hear a song, I can feel how I felt at that period of time when the song was popular or when I listened to it a lot.

For instance, I had a miscarriage in April and Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park is like my song for the baby and the whole situation. Depending on my mood, I can feel what I felt in April. It just completely takes me back.

So for you, which is more of a trigger, music or scents? Tell a story if you wish.

Answer 1

Well, I could see why you might say music, because music does the same for me, but I think scientifically, smells have a greater connection to memory than anything else.

Sometimes, it will feel as if music holds a greater potential, but smells are more instantaneous, and if you ever smell a smell today than you only ever used to smell when you were a kid, trust me you'll be back there way faster than music could take you there.

Although, once again, I do get what ur saying about music. There are some songs that I put on sometimes just cuz I KNOW they'll take me back. But if I could do that whenever I wanted to with smells, I think that would be cooler.

Answer 2

MUSIC!

Answer 3

oh definitely MUSIC for me. Instantly.

Answer 4

I tend to think music triggers my memory much more, the main reason being is that they are more distinct.

For me, anytime I hear a song by Alan Jackson, I think of 9/11. I remember getting the CD and listening to it on my way to a restaurant where we ate ribs, and it was the day before 9/11. The weird thing is, I don't even like Alan Jackson.

Answer 5

Both music and scents trigger my most cherished memories but the scent brings memories back more than music.  If I smell and scent I wore when I was a teenager, I am automatically placed back into that moment, emotions and all.  Music just sort of triggers my memory and while sometimes emotional, it just doesn't bring back the emotion that scents do.

Answer 6

They say the memory of smells can last 30 years. I don't know about songs. I am sorry to hear about your miscarriage. My cousin was killed when I was 17 - 20 years ago - and I still flash back to that night every time I hear a certain song.

I hope you know your baby is in a safe and loving place and you'll see her again someday.  Best wishes to you! :)

Answer 7

Yes I totally agree about the music! I hear songs now that remind me of crazy times when I was a teenager & I almost feel like I'm right back in that moment!  

Answer 8

wow...that's a tough one...sometimes smells just hit me, i think whoah, it smells like the condo we rented last year...but music has the ability to make me cry and it brings back soooo many memories...so have i have to agree with you

Answer 9

Music more then smells for me but there ahve been a few smells that remind me of childhood.

Answer 10

Music is a huge trigger. Once in a while I'll smell an old perfume and get all nostalgic, but music triggers so many memories. My aunt used to babysit me a lot and I remember how when I was going through things with my dad she would make me feel better. She always listened to 80s and 90s songs, but she mostly listed to How Bizarre by OMC. one day after a horrible day of school i got home and put my itunes on shuffle. That song came on and instantly I just remember how we would watch cartoons and play games and eat candy all the time and i instantly felt happy. ALL DEPRESSION GONE. no kidding.  

Answer 11

music makes me remember places i've been and things i've done in the past. such as summer- many songs remind me of things i've done in past summers. smells remind me of different people.

Answer 12

Music is more common but when ever I smell something I had in the past, it brings back a more vivid image.

Answer 13

Both, but a smell is so much more deeper I think :)

Answer 14

That's a really good question. Both of them work for me, actually! Like, if I smell ham cooking, I always think about Christmas. And if I smell cookies baking, I always think about this day I came home from school crying, and my mom baked me cookies to make me feel better.

But, I do have songs where I feel/remember incidents in my life. I think that's why people love music so much; songs make people feel certain emotions by listening to them.

Answer 15

I always thought it was music for me until I happened upon a lollipop that brought back a memory of mine when I was very young and at my father's work.  It was Christmas and I remember getting the lollipop, my father handing it to me, but that was about it.  I didn't even realize that memory was even there!

Answer 16

smells, tri color at the car wash reminds me of a popsicle i ate when i was little

Answer 17

Awesome question!  I've read that the smell center in the brain is physically very close to the centers for memory and emotion.  So often smells elicit a more emotional response to a memory.

Personally, that's how it works for me, but music is also very influential.  There are certain songs I won't listen to anymore for that reason.

Answer 18

music. there is a spanish song that my dad listens to all the time im not sure of the name but when i hear it takes me back to the second grade, i can imagine being in the class room in the afternoon, sunlight shining through the window, and a car passing by with the song playing really loud.

Answer 19

Smells

Answer 20

both of them...love the smell of rain,the smell of vanilla in the air at evening  from the bread factory,the smells of cookies...everything gets you to old memories...and about music,they get you to a specific decade,hehe,makes me remember my childhood days or when a song was a hit.

Answer 21

I would think smells.  

Answer 22

Smells...

Answer 23

Smells.  Smells can trigger memories unexpectedly for me.  I smell Oil of Olay and it reminds me of my grandmother, smell of the ocean reminds me of lots of childhood memories with my father's family in Florida, smell of a certain gum reminds me of an ex-bf, etc.

I think smell more easily ties to a memory for me because there isn't an emotion already there like there are in most songs.  So if I'm having a strong emotion (pain, happiness, heartbreak or such) then my mind may tie a smell that's also present to that emotion and memory.