Fragrances affect emotions, but their first language is biological: receptors, channels, ions and signals.

Inside human olfactory receptor cells, odor molecules activate cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, allowing charged ions to flow across the cell membrane. This movement generates an electrical signal that travels through the nervous system to the regions of the brain involved in emotion, memory, and perception. It is this remarkable transition—from chemistry to conscious experience—that Prof. Dr. Hanns Hatt helped make measurable through his pioneering research in olfactory neuroscience. At AMATRIUS, we see scent as far more than fragrance. We use it as a tool for consciousness, because a scent is never just a smell; it is chemistry translated into atmosphere, memory, presence, and emotional experience. Understanding the biological mechanisms behind scent does not diminish its mystery—it reveals the extraordinary precision with which our bodies transform invisible molecules into deeply personal moments. This article is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Dr. Hanns Hatt, whose groundbreaking scientific contributions continue to inspire us, and to the enduring friendship that outlasts life itself. The scientific findings discussed here are based on: Thürauf, N., Gjuric, M., Kobal, G., & Hatt, H. (1996). Cyclic nucleotide-gated channels in identified human olfactory receptor neurons. European Journal of Neuroscience, 8, 2080–2089. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-9568.1996.tb00729.x