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scents

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Lavender sways in a field.

Most of us have gotten a whiff of something and instantly felt at ease. Or, we've experienced a surge of serotonin after walking past a bakery, flower garden, or (gasp) gas station. Our sense of smell is deeply ingrained in the memory centers of our brain and just one sniff can alter our mood.

The olfactory system is really quite something. There is literally a super short nerve (first cranial 1) that, according to the Cleveland Clinic, "starts in the brain and ends in the upper, inside part of your nose." It gives the ability to process odor, while working with a whole system of olfactory receptors which receive the tiny molecules emitted by substances. (There's a whole system of membranes, bulbs, and neurons which work together to absorb a smell and make sense of it in your brain.)

What's extra interesting is that if this nerve is damaged, the long-time effect has been linked to Alzheimer's and other memory-loss diseases. Rather, an early sign of such a disease is anosmia (lack of smell), so whether it's causal or a symptom, it's theorized that smell and memory are intricately neurologically linked.

Beyond just memory (which factors into our moods, of course), there are many experts who claim specific scents affect different parts of the brain, and the science behind it is quite fascinating.

The power of scent. www.youtube.com, Real Men, Real STyle

But why and how different scents have such different effects on aspects of our lives are some remaining questions. Think of it like this. When you're taking medicine, whether it's for a physical ailment or mental health, different neurotransmitters are targeted. Smell is no different, which is why aromatherapy is so popular. From "The Science of Scents": "From the olfactory epithelium, nerve impulses are transmitted to the limbic system, a region in the brain associated with emotions, memories, and behavior. This direct connection explains why scents can evoke powerful emotional responses and trigger memories. Different aromas stimulate specific areas within the limbic system, influencing mood, stress levels, and even cognitive function."

Professor Kathy Willis writes in a piece for the BBC's Countryfile section about the importance of plants and their "science-backed" effect on overall wellbeing.

LAVENDER

lavender, flowers, aromatherapy, wellbeing, scents Lavender flowers in the evening. Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

Lavender can literally help you sleep better. Willis shares, "Experiments in sleep chambers have shown that during the nights when participants had aromas of lavender puffed into their rooms while sleeping, their brain wave activity indicated that they slept for longer intervals of time and also had more slow-wave deep sleep."

Dr. Elizabeth Ko, medical director at the UCLA Health Integrative Medicine Collaborative, adds that lavender oils for older people can greatly improve racing minds. "If you’re experiencing anxiety, try lavender. Inhaling lavender or diffusing it in your space may temporarily relieve feelings of stress and anxiety."

ROSEMARY

This scent actually has the opposite effect. Willis claims that many studies have shown that the "scent compounds of rosemary influence the neurotransmitters in our brain that are responsible for wakefulness and alertness."

Kate Rockwood backs up this claim, writing on Oprah.com, "Researchers at Northumbria University in England found that participants who sniffed essential oil of this (rosemary) herb performed significantly better on prospective memory tests, meaning they were less likely to forget future tasks."

PINE

Feeling anxious? The smell of pine can significantly reduce that. In experiments where respondents were exposed to the smell of pine, Willis shares that "even after as little as 90 seconds, participants showed clear evidence of physiological relaxation and reduced anxiety."

ROSE

roses, flowers, aromatherapy, wellbeing, scents A red rose with drops of dew. Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash

This one is super cool. One experiment, described by Willis, had subjects drive a simulated car. During their drive, different scents were pumped into the "car" to assess whether they could reduce anxiety or create alertness. The smell of rose, peppermint, and civet were used, but "it was the smell of roses that indicated the best performance: slower speeds, less crashes, and the participants feeling more relaxed and cautious when behind the wheel."

CITRUS

This smell energizes and uplifts. An article on the Maison 21G, a perfumery website, "How Fragrances Affect Your Mood: Understanding the Power of Scents" further explains how deeply rooted smell is to our mental health and adds some more powerful scent connections to the list. Of citrus, they explain, "fragrances (with citrus) can help improve mood, increase alertness, and reduce feelings of fatigue."

Ko adds, "Citrus oils like bergamot or lemon tend to be uplifting and promote happiness."

EUCALYPTUS

We often think of these plants as having healing qualities (and may notice it in the ingredients of products meant to provide calm to the skin or hair.) There's a reason for that. The perfumery site claims, "Eucalyptus has a fresh, cooling scent that is known for its ability to clear the mind and promote focus. (It) can also help alleviate congestion and promote clear breathing, making it a popular choice for those suffering from colds or allergies. This invigorating scent is perfect for maintaining mental clarity and focus, especially during times of stress."

CINNAMON

cinnamon, aromatherapy, wellbeing, scents, spices cinnamon sticks and powder sit on a table. Photo by Rens D on Unsplash

Want to feel sexy? Who would have thought the spices you sprinkle atop eggnog could do the trick? "Cinnamon boasts a warm, spicy scent that can evoke feelings of comfort and warmth. This fragrance has been linked to increased alertness, focus, and even a mild aphrodisiac effect."

Rockwood adds, "Scientists at Wheeling Jesuit University discovered that when people smelled cinnamon, their attention improved and they had a better working memory. That could come in handy when you're trying to remember which party guest wanted your banana bread recipe."

PAIN RELIEF

Dr. Ko also specifically shares, "When researchers reviewed the results of over 170 trials, the findings suggested that inhaled essential oils may have some benefits for pain. The Arthritis Foundation suggests that certain oils work better than others for pain relief."

BERGAMOT blended with LAVENDER

(It's common for aromatherapists to blend scents to create a desired response. Again, doctors blend medications all the time until they find the right balance.)

GINGER

This scent, Ko suggests, is excellent when paired with a massage.

GREEN APPLE

If you have a headache, try the scent of green apple. Ko mentioned this as having specific properties that target cranial pain.

While aromatherapy obviously can't be the end all for serious physical or mental ailments, research continues to show that it can be extremely beneficial. So if all of this feels overwhelming, grab some lavender and take a whiff. You might just feel a tad calmer.

True
Seventh Generation

Smell may be the most undervalued of all of the senses — but it shouldn't be.

A McCann Worldgroup study even found that some millennials rank their sense of smell below their phone and laptop in terms of importance. But we actually pay attention to smells a lot more than you may realize, especially when choosing items that go in our homes.

Consumer data shows that we buy A LOT of scented cleaning products. In a 2014 study, a polling company found that 40% of American consumers considered whether a dishwashing detergent had "a pleasant fragrance" when buying it.


And it makes sense — our olfactory cells feed information to our brains about things we might not be able to see. According to some doctors and researchers, what we smell may even directly affect our moods and our minds.

GIF from "Broad City."

Next time you're picking up a new cleaning product, here's what three of the most common scents mean to your brain — and one scent you won't find in the cleaning aisle.

1. For our noses, lemon-iness is next to cleanliness.

Image by iStock.

Even on their own, lemons are a popular tool for housecleaning. The juice of this lovely citrus has astringent properties for cleaning, and its oil is a powerful moisturizing wood cleaner and polish. Plus, it smells absolutely divine!

In aromatherapy, lemon oil is called the "rational" oil since it is believed to aid in the decision-making process. A study of lemon balm found that it may help improve mood and memory.

2. Lavender is loved for its calming powers (even when it doesn't really smell like lavender).

Image by iStock.

Like vanilla, lavender has become a very popular scent for cleaning products. Extracted from the flowers of the lavender bush, this gentle scent is flowery, woodsy, and slightly sweet.

When it comes to its use in cleaning products, you might not want to believe your nose. According to a scent specialist interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, many of the supposedly "lavender-scented" products on shelves today don't really smell like it. Since some consumers don't like the smell of lavender by itself — but really like the idea of things smelling like it — the products may be scented with things associated with the flowering shrub, like fresh fruit, vanilla, florals, and wood.

3. You don't need to speak the language of flowers to understand their scent-sual benefits.

Image by iStock.

There's a reason so many lifestyle gurus recommend keeping a bouquet of fresh flowers in the home at all times — they really do make things feel special. One of the most popular scents in the world, rose is lauded in the aromatherapy world for its many health benefits. Devotees say the scent of roses can improve moods, boost libido, and improve circulation, and rose oil can do double duty as an astringent and antiseptic. One study by The Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation even found that the presence of a floral aroma increased speed on a memory test.

4. One scent you won't find in cleaning products, even though you probably love it? Chocolate.

Image by iStock.

Chocolate is one of the most delicious and recognizable smells. But despite all its enticing qualities, it's unlikely you'll find it in cleaning products anytime soon.

Products that smell like cooked food may get confused with actual cooking smells, and products that smell too sugary can make consumers think of sticky fingers — the last thing you want associated with a cleaning product.

When it comes to our happiness, pleasing scents can pack a powerful punch. But not all fragrances are made of safe and healthy chemicals.

For the most part, I don't mind being emotionally manipulated by nice-smelling cleaning products because it really does make the chore of tidying up feel less like one. But, at the same time, I want to know that the chemicals that make my house smell amazing aren't having adverse effects on my health. And for some fragrance additives, there's a chance they might do just that. Here's what Physicians for Social Responsibility found out:

"In 2008, in an effort to improve transparency, the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) released a master list of over 3,100 chemicals that are used by the fragrance industry. Among the chemicals on the list are carcinogens like p-dichlorobenzene and styrene oxide; endocrine disruptors like galaxolide and tonalide (both synthetic musks); the phthalates diethyl phthalate (DEP) and di-isononyl phthalate (DINP); and problematic disinfectants like triclosan and ammonium quaternary compounds. Not surprisingly, numerous allergens are also included in the list. Unfortunately, there is no data provided on how commonly these chemicals are used, by amount or even by type of fragranced product."

Yikes, right? Plus, fragrance ingredients are often considered trade secrets and are not required to be disclosed on cleaning product packaging, so it's really hard to know what you're getting.

If you're worried about potentially harmful additives pumping up the sweet scents in your cleaning products, the smartest and easiest way to be in the know is to buy from companies that tell you the whole story of what they put into the products they sell you — no matter how delicious or soothing or sweetly they smell. Read up, buy smart, and then breathe in deeply!