Throughline History of the Self: Smell and Memory
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Dec 19, 2024 
Christina Kim, a reporter and producer on the Throughline team, teams up with Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist and author specializing in the psychology of smell. Together, they explore the profound connection between scent and memory, showing how aromas evoke powerful personal narratives. They share fascinating insights on how smells shape identity and recall, discuss the impact of losing one’s sense of smell during COVID, and highlight historical significance by connecting olfactory experiences to cultural narratives and trauma.
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Loss of Smell
- Christina Kim lost her sense of smell due to COVID-19.
- This loss deeply affected her, severing her connection to loved ones and memories tied to scent.
The Enigma of Smell
- In 1988, the scientific understanding of smell was limited.
- Linda Buck's research aimed to uncover how the nose and brain process scents.
Linda Buck's Discovery
- Linda Buck dedicated years to researching the science of smell, using rats as test subjects.
- Her groundbreaking discovery of 1,000 smell receptors led to a Nobel Prize.
