Who doesn't feel stressed at times in today's complicated world? When it comes to relieving that stress, aromatherapy followers may have had it right all along. A new study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that relieving anxiety and worry may be as simple as taking a whiff of a fragrant scent.
Fragrance to Lower Stress Levels?: The Study
In this study, researchers exposed rats to stressful stimuli. One group of stressed rats was allowed to smell the scent of linalool, a naturally occurring chemical found in many plant species including scented herbs, citrus fruits, and a variety of fragrant plants. The other rats were stressed without being exposed to the linalool scent. The results? The rats that smelled the linalool didn't experience many of the biochemical changes associated with the stress response, while the control group did. It appears that the linalool scent modified some of the bodily changes typically associated with stress. They even found that the genes that are usually turned in response to stress (there are over 100 of them) weren't activated in the rats exposed to linalool.
Could Fragrance Reduce Stress Levels in Humans?
Of course, humans are a bit different than rats in their perception of stress, but this certainly deems further study in humans since it could be a natural way to reduce stress and anxiety without using drugs. The researchers are hoping to test a variety of scents to see which ones have the greatest effect on stress reduction. If certain fragrances can be identified to be effective, they could be packaged into extracts or essential oils for people to use in their homes to relieve stress and anxiety naturally.
Scent to Reduce Stress: It May Be Nothing New
Fragrance to Lower Stress Levels?: The Study
In this study, researchers exposed rats to stressful stimuli. One group of stressed rats was allowed to smell the scent of linalool, a naturally occurring chemical found in many plant species including scented herbs, citrus fruits, and a variety of fragrant plants. The other rats were stressed without being exposed to the linalool scent. The results? The rats that smelled the linalool didn't experience many of the biochemical changes associated with the stress response, while the control group did. It appears that the linalool scent modified some of the bodily changes typically associated with stress. They even found that the genes that are usually turned in response to stress (there are over 100 of them) weren't activated in the rats exposed to linalool.
Could Fragrance Reduce Stress Levels in Humans?
Of course, humans are a bit different than rats in their perception of stress, but this certainly deems further study in humans since it could be a natural way to reduce stress and anxiety without using drugs. The researchers are hoping to test a variety of scents to see which ones have the greatest effect on stress reduction. If certain fragrances can be identified to be effective, they could be packaged into extracts or essential oils for people to use in their homes to relieve stress and anxiety naturally.
Scent to Reduce Stress: It May Be Nothing New
- Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2009; 57 (12
Comments
I can't go to sleep unless I have applied my nice, fragrant hand lotion. This is fascinating material.
Good to know.
Very true. Scents can be very soothing.
Yes, certain scents definitely soothe me...great article Kristie!
Scents definately calm me. The smell of lilacs is one of my favorites to chill me out.
I honestly believe it does. I use smokeless candles at work and love them.
great article
Fragrant scents do calm me. Great article!
What a wonderful topic... stress-relieving by itself. :)
I love the scent of citrus. I use a citrus shower gel and I smile every time I take a whiff of it. Great article! :)
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