How A Cool Scent Sharpens the Mind: The Effect of Thermal Olfactory Cues on Performance

ABSTRACT This paper examines how the perceived temperature of scents influences cognitive performance. In an experimental study, we find that participants exposed to a cool scent (peppermint) reported significantly higher levels of concentration compared to those exposed to a warm scent (vanilla). Concentration emerged as the underlying mechanism driving the effect of ambient scent. Our findings provide novel empirical evidence for the role of olfactory perception in cognitive functioning, highlighting the importance of cues in shaping psychological processes.