I love that new car smell. The new car smell makes me happy. My first car was not new…and it definitely did not smell new. I think I finally owned a new car by the time I was in my 30s. It smelled great. Apparently, the new car smell is the conglomeration of all of the new materials, paints, adhesives, etc. It’s the “etc” that is probably the secret to the new car smell.
I also like the smell of cinnamon. Cinnamon makes me happy.
There has been a group of researchers at the University of Sussex, in Britain, looking into the possibility that pleasant scents may create better drivers, and also improve the well-being of angry drivers. They call this “CARoma” therapy. Who thinks up this stuff!?!?
There is no arguing that certain smells make us happy. For me, off the top of my head, it is fresh bread, dill weed and of course cinnamon. For many of us, the scent of cinnamon makes us happy. It brings back happy childhood memories of wonderful desserts and holiday happenings. The CARoma researchers found that pleasant scents like cinnamon, can ease tension in irate drivers. Peppermint and rose scents were also found to be beneficial in making angry drivers happier.
Could this be the answer to road rage?
Equally interesting, although maybe not so surprising, unpleasant smells did the opposite for motorists. Bad smells caused more arousal in a negative way for drivers. This could lead to more angry drivers, more aggression, and thus more accidents.
Apparently, there are some car companies that have been experimenting with numerous scents advertised at improving the car occupant’s well-being. This may however be more of a sales ploy, just like a realtor’s attempt to bring on the sale of a home during an open house with cinnamon or vanilla candles.
Either way, we may start to see another option being brought into the new car market, customized scents from the dashboard. Someone just cut in front of you on your way to work? Just press the button on the steering wheel for a puff of peppermint in your face and all is well.
For now, maybe just dash some cinnamon powder on your hanging dice or discard some peppermint gum under your car seat.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
