Food and Connection Series: Why Smell Shapes Everything We Eat with Rachel Herz, Ph.D.

Smell is on the table today! For the inaugural episode of our Food and Connection series, we are joined by Rachel Herz, Ph.D. Rachel Herz, Ph.D. is a neuroscientist and world leading expert on the psychological science of smell. She has been conducting research on the senses of smell and taste, emotion, motivated behavior and cognition since 1990. Dr. Herz. has been on the faculty at Brown University since 2000 and is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, and teaches a seminar course on olfaction in the CoPsy department. Dr. Herz is the newly elected President of the International Society of Neurogastonomy. Her most recent book Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind Our Relationship with Food explores how our senses, brain and psychology shape our perception of food, and the experiences and consequences of eating. Why You Eat What You Eat was a finalist for the “2018 Readable Feast Awards” and listed among the “Best Food Books of 2018” by The Smithsonian and The New Yorker.Dr.Herz joins us to discuss what may be the most important, yet often overlooked, aspect of eating: smell. As an olfactory researcher, Rachel explains the ways our sense of smell shapes pleasure, taste, memory, and even overall health. Together, Dr.Herz and Ashley explore food intolerances, including neophobia and picky eating, while examining how cultural differences influence the flavors and aromas we grow to love. The result is a fascinating conversation that highlights the power of our senses and sets the stage for a compelling season exploring food, culture, and human connection.Learn more about Rachel’s work. Follow Rachel Herz on Instagram. Read Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind our Relationship with Food by Rachel Herz.Read That’s Disgusting: Unraveling the Mysteries of Repulsion by Rachel Herz.Read The Scent of Desire: Discovering Our Enigmatic Sense of Smell by Rachel Herz.Follow On the Table with Ashley on Instagram and TikTok.On the Table with Ashley is presented by Âme Atendre, a luxury home goods and tableware brand with a mission to connect people to all that matters.