Your useless water cooler trivia of the day: the smell of a baked potato can actually make us feel happier. Researchers found that smells given off during the cooking process can trigger positive memories in the brain. Apparently, the potato smells reminded people of comforting childhood memories, including favorite grandparents and meals with the family.
The positive emotions are triggered by something called the ‘Maillard Effect’ – in short, aromas are subconsciously recognized by our memories.
