Removing strong smells can improve cognitive ease by reducing distractions and mental effort needed to process sensory information. Strong or unpleasant odors can demand attention and interfere with concentration, making cognitive tasks feel more difficult. When strong smells are removed, the brain can focus better on the task at hand, leading to smoother thinking and easier information processing.
Research shows that the brain processes odors in stages: initially detecting molecular features and later evaluating how pleasant or unpleasant the scent is. Strong or unpleasant odors can trigger brain activity related to negative emotional responses, which may increase cognitive load and reduce mental clarity. By eliminating these odors, the brain avoids this extra processing, which can help improve cognitive ease.
Additionally, studies link olfactory function with cognitive health. A decline in the ability to smell is associated with cognitive decline in conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. This suggests that the sense of smell is closely tied to brain function. While this does not directly mean that removing strong smells improves cognition, it highlights how odors influence brain activity and cognitive performance.
In environments where concentration is important, such as workplaces or study areas, removing strong smells can reduce sensory distractions. This can help people feel more comfortable and mentally clear, supporting better focus and decision-making. Pleasant or neutral scents, or simply odor-free spaces, tend to promote a calmer mental state, which is conducive to cognitive ease.
Sources
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-11-people-scents-pleasantness.html
https://www.mk.co.kr/en/society/11463453
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12576085/
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2025.1635673/full
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-25995-1
