--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The act of smelling something, anything…" description: "\"The act of smelling something, anything, is remarkably like the act of thinking. Immediately at the moment of perception, you can feel the mind going t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/lewis-thomas-2299_brain_the-act-of-smelling-something-anything-i_1382010.png" --- # The act of smelling something, anything, is remarkably… ![“The act of smelling something, anything, is remarkably like the act of thinking. Immediately at the moment of perception, you can feel the mind going to work, sending the odor around from place to place, setting off complex repertories through the brain, polling one center after another for signs…” quote by Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/lewis-thomas-2299_brain_the-act-of-smelling-something-anything-i_1382010.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/lewis-thomas-2299_brain_the-act-of-smelling-something-anything-i_1382010.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/113/lewis-thomas-2299_brain_the-act-of-smelling-something-anything-i_1382010.png) > “The act of smelling something, anything, is remarkably like the act of thinking. Immediately at the moment of perception, you can feel the mind going to work, sending the odor around from place to place, setting off complex repertories through the brain, polling one center after another for signs of re recognition, for old memories and old connection.” [Lewis Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-thomas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The act of smelling triggers mental processes similar to thinking, linking sensory perception with memory, recognition, and complex brain activity. **In simple terms:** Smell sparks thought and memory. Key Takeaway Pay attention to sensory cues as gateways to deeper thinking. Themes perception memory cognition sensory experience Mood curious inquisitive Type philosophical scientific When to use this quote - creative brainstorming - mindful observation - learning through scent - memory recall techniques - enhancing focus Key Concepts neuroscience embodied cognition associative networks Questions to Reflect On - How do your senses influence your thought patterns? - Can you use scent to improve concentration or creativity? A Different Perspective Sensory perception varies; not all smells evoke strong mental responses. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Complexes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complexes/) [Connections](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connections/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Old memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-memories/) [Perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perception/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Recognition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition/) [Setting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/setting/) [Smell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smell/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Clothing totally changes my perception of how I feel about myself depending on what it is that I'm wearing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brie-larson/clothing-totally-changes-my-perception-of-how-i-feel-about-myself/) [Brie Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brie-larson/) > [While some of us act without thinking, too many of us think without acting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-millman/while-some-of-us-act-without-thinking-too-many-of-us-think-without/) [Dan Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-millman/) > [An act of thinking without restriction- without boundaries or rules can lead to the point of no return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-william-scott/an-act-of-thinking-without-restriction-without-boundaries-or-rules/) [Sean William Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-william-scott/) > [Two equally steep and bold paths may lead to the same peak. 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