I think the reason has a physiological basis. The other senses go to the thalamus and then to the cortex Vision - Lateral geniculate nucleus. https://en.wikip

I think the reason has a physiological basis. The other senses go to the thalamus and then to the cortex Vision - Lateral geniculate nucleus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_system#Lateral_geniculate_nucleus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_system#Lateral_genicula... Hearing - Medial geniculate nucleus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditory_system#Medial_geniculate_nucleus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditory_system#Medial_genicul... Taste - Ventra posteromedial nucleus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_posteromedial_nucleus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_posteromedial_nucleus Touch - Ventral posterior nucleus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_posterior_nucleus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ventral_posterior_nucleus Smell on the other hand goes first to the olfactory cortex, and is not routed through the thalamus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_sensory_areas https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_sensory_areas One interesting consequence is how powerful an influence smell can have on us. The olfactory cortex is in the limbic system which is associated with emotion and memory. This might explain why certain smells (like the smell of something your mother used to cook) can instantly bring back memories and emotions.