One study found that bergamot, lavender, and lemon essential oils are particularly therapeutic. Using your sense of smell, they prompt your brain to release serotonin and dopamine.
Citrus scents are often cited as some of the most pleasant smells and have been shown to boost energy and reduce stress. This is excellent news for perfume lovers, as citrus scents are frequently used in the top notes of your favourite fragrances.
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) and its key constituent vanillin has been shown to relieve and prevent depressive symptoms via the olfactory pathway. The underlying mechanisms involve modulating the monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain, elevating both serotonin and dopamine levels in brain tissue.
When a fragrance travels to your brain through the nose it releases feel-good endorphins and serotonin. These can improve your mood giving you mental clarity and easing your tension.
Peppermint
A known energy booster, peppermint invigorates the mind, promotes concentration and stimulates clear thinking. It is one of the best scents for focus. Find uplifting peppermint in our Onsen collection, along with eucalyptus and mandarin.
Some people will love the smell of fresh paint or varnish while others will feel nauseous just thinking about it! These odors seem attractive because when we smell them, our brain activates a circuit linked to pleasure and reward. It will then release serotonin and dopamine, the hormones of happiness.
Scents send signals to our limbic system, which is the sector of the brain that controls memory and emotion. According to a 2011 study conducted by Masahiro et al, positive emotions, which can be elicited by certain fragrances have been proven to lower stress levels and improve overall mental outlook.
Lavender. Smelling lavender may have a relaxing effect without making your mind feel cloudy or foggy. Lavender aromatherapy may be recommended to someone experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression. Smelling lavender is also linked with improving pain and inflammation.
There is no scent more relaxing than lavender. Extracted from the fresh flower of the lavender plant, the oil has been shown to have sedating effects that help our body and mind relax. Its antioxidant components can lower the level of stress hormones in our body and soothe our nerves to relieve anxiety and depression.
Certain drugs and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, NutraSweet, antidepressants, and some cholesterol-lowering medications deplete serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels.
SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin into neurons. This makes more serotonin available to improve transmission of messages between neurons. SSRIs are called selective because they mainly affect serotonin, not other neurotransmitters.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): This medication blocks the activity of an enzyme that breaks down serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
Honey also supports your mood. Since it raises your serotonin levels in the brain, honey is able to regulate how you feel - which can reduce the occurrence of depression and anxiety.
Sometimes, my patients and I discover that the root cause is an underlying autoimmune disorder, sleep disorder, hormone imbalance, food allergy, genetic disorder, etc. Sometimes we discover that unaddressed trauma, stress, or childhood depression is the root cause.
In the central nervous system (CNS), serotonin is almost exclusively produced in neurons originating in the raphe nuclei located in the midline of the brainstem. These serotonin-producing neurons form the largest and most complex efferent system in the human brain.
In one study, people who were exposed to natural plant odors were more calm, alert, and in a more chipper mood than those in an odor-free environment. (Weber, 2008) Research suggests scents such as orange, lavender, coffee, or licorice can give snifers a longer attention span when presented with information.
Lavender. Lavender is one of the most widely used scents in aromatherapy, and for good reason: it's uplifting and can help with stress, anxiety, depression, headaches and insomnia. It also has a positive effect on digestion, inflammation and skin health.