subject: The Effects Of Fragrance On Emotion [print this page] The fragrance that you wear can have a positive or negative effect on your emotions and the emotions of those around you. You need to keep this in mind when you choose a fragrance to wear as you should use fragrance to make a statement about yourself to the environment around you. The last thing that you need is to wear a fragrance that no one around you can stand. This would in fact give people a negative impression of you which would not serve you well in your interpersonal interactions.
The link between scent and emotions has been attributed to the fact that our body's scent center in the brain, called the olfactory bulb, is connected to where our emotional memories are stored. Joy, sorrow, anxiety, fear, rage - all these reside in one place and can be accessed through scent.
Moreover, these areas are also connected to parts of the brain that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, stress levels and even the balance of hormones. What this means is that fragrance impacts not just emotion, but the way that you respond to it. Doctors have discovered that certain essential oil scents can influence weight loss, increase learning and even assist in releasing emotional trauma. In market research, it was found that when a consumer actually smells a product, there is greater recall for the products other attributes. And, in psychological circles, studies have been made on the impact of scent on sexual attraction.
Aromatherapy believes that a whole range of illness or negative experiences/emotions can be relieved through the power of smell. There is a scientific reality for this. The natural chemicals in essential oils, released through scent, are the ones that actually trigger our emotional and physical responses. Certain aldehydes are actually very calming to our central nervous system. Terpenes which are a main component of natural essential oils, are also present in human metabolism. While the scent of peppermint, cardamom and rosemary contain stimulants that trigger the brain to receive learning. The presence of scent in our home can be used to alter mood or control the emotional atmosphere in the home. If you want a loved one to have favorable memories or are having guests over you can use fragrance to swing their behavior in your favor.
Research has also found that scent can help regulate our glands and hormones. When scent triggers nerves in the brain, it also stimulates the release of hormones from our hypothalamus. Hormones affect reproductive growth, sex drive, our fight or flight response, digestion and also our heart rate. Since the endocrine system, where our glands and hormones belong, is extremely sensitive, one imbalance affects the whole system. Scent from essential oils assist in balancing hormone levels in our glands, including our thyroid, which governs metabolism and energy; reproductive organs and others.
It is because of this that fragrance can influence our energy levels, change our mood, and, even, kindle romance. It is also said that the right scent can impact how long we live!
I'd like to share with you a list of the most common scents and their uses in aromatherapy. This list can help inform your choices when it comes to choosing not just candle scents, but other fragranced products as well.
Bergamot, cedar, lemon, orange, rose, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang are known for their calming effects. You may want to use these scents to diffuse a situation which could become aggravated or dangerous.
If you want to alleviate fear or anxiety use either of these fragrances; lavender, chamomile, orange, and ylang-ylang. In addition to these fragrances there are some good depression fighting fragrances that you can use either for yourself or others they are; grapefruit, frankincense, lemon, lavender, orange, and white angelica.
If you need to use something to uplift your spirits you can use one of the following; bergamot, sage, eucalyptus, juniper, and lavender.
If you are studying or doing an activity for which you need help concentrating you may want to use one of the following; basil, peppermint, cypress, and lemon. I personally endorse using essential oils in their pure form. This way you get the full benefit of the natural ingredients used in the oils. Fragrance Oil Express
