Can scent effect our mood or memory. Aromatherapy is a natural therapeutic treatment that utilizes this aspect of our physiology - specific essential oils are thought to influence our consciousness in certain ways. It is known that the sense of smell is directly transmitted and processed in the limbic system. This part of the brain is related to memory and emotions. Perhaps you have experienced a strong memory associated with a specific scent. Has a smell ever taken you back to a time or place in your life?
Studies have supported the use of essential oils to modulate mood and stimulate specific emotional responses. A variety of studies have shown unique effects from different essential oils.
One study showed significant differences on objective measures of cognition and subjective influences on mood between subjects exposed to the aroma of rosemary and lavender oils, when compared to a control group exposed to neither. Lavender was found to relax subject while rosemary made them more alert.
Another study supports these findings. Lavender was found to relax subjects, decrease anxiety and was supported by increased beta power on EEGs. Subjects were also faster and more accurate in mathematical computations after aromatherapy. Subjects exposed to rosemary oil were found to be more alert as seen in increased frontal alpha and beta power on EEGs. They were found to be faster but no more accurate on mathematical calculations after being exposed to rosemary oil.
Though these studies show significant changes when exposed to specific essential oils, it is unclear to what extent these differences are due to direct biochemical effects or psychological associations between subjects, scents and personal experiences.
At least one study suggests that these aromas may actually interact with ion channels in our cell membranes. A study published in the Journal of the Federation of Societies of Experimental Biology showed that a compound from frankincense seemed to alleviate depression and anxiety through triggering a poorly understood ion channel in cells of the brain (link).
Researchers believe these findings may lead to the development of new anti-depressant drugs, all the while many natural health practitioners have already been utilizing these substances for depression and anxiety for hundreds of years with good results.
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