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Definition

To play a part in or have an influence on something. In the context of our sense of smell, it means that our olfactory system plays a role in shaping our experience and memory of a specific event.

Related terms

Context-dependent memory: The phenomenon where it is easier to recall information when we are in the same context or environment as when we encoded that information.

Olfactory bulb: The structure at the front of the brain responsible for processing smells and sending signals to other parts of the brain, such as the hippocampus involved in memory formation.

Emotionally charged memories: Memories that are associated with strong emotions, such as fear, joy, or sadness. Our sense of smell can contribute to these emotionally charged memories by triggering certain emotional responses.