Research

Effect of smell on the brain

Smell is nothing but a collection of molecules. When these molecules enter your nose, they bind with an olfactory receptor. This olfactory sense is located at the top of your nasal cavity. The moment an odour binds to this receptor, a signal is sent to the brain area for smell. This area is described as the bulbus olfactorius. Different collections of molecules control different parts of the bulbus olfactorius. This allows your brain to distinguish smells.

The bulbus olfactorius communicates with the rest of the brain, for example, the limbic system and the reptilian brain. These parts all have different functions.

The limbic system is the emotional side of the brain. Think emotion but also memory. Because the olfactory bulb is connected to the limbic system, some smells trigger memories. Think of the smell of grandma’s apple pie. Besides memory, the limbic system also controls emotion. As a result, smells can trigger certain emotions.

In addition, the bulbus olfactorius also controls the reptilian brain. The reptilian brain is the survival brain. Think about finding food or detecting danger. An example is smelling food and smelling fire or gas.

Because smell is closely linked to the brain, many smells have different effects on the brain.

Sources

The scent of ginger can help with nausea and has an activating effect on the brain.

Source:

  • Semwal, R. B., Semwal, D. K., Combrinck, S., & Viljoen, A. M. (2015). Gingerols and shogaols: Important nutraceutical principles from ginger. Phytochemistry, pp. 554-568.
  • Stappen, I., Hoelzl, A.-S., Randjelovic, O., & Wanner, J. (2016). Influence of Essential Ginger Oil on Human Psychophysiology after. Natural Product Communication, pp. 1565-1568.

The scent of eucalyptus can improve respiratory function and reduce symptoms of infection or allergy. In addition, the scent has a relaxing and uplifting effect which helps with anxiety, fear and improving concentration. The scent of eucalyptus can also help fight insects.

Source:

  • De Vos, C. (2020). Geurpsychologie voor iedereen. Eeserveen: Uitgeverij Akasha.
  • Balacs, T. (1997). Cineole-rich eucalyptus. International Journal of Aromatherapy, pp. 15-21.
  • Kim, K. Y., Seo, H. J., Min, S. S., Park, M., & Seol, G. H. (2014). The Effect of 1,8-Cineole Inhalation on Preoperative Anxiety:. Hindawi.
  • Heuberger, E., Stappen, I., & Von Rohr, R. R. (2018). De neus. Utrecht: Uitgeverij ankhHermes.
  • Fischer-Rizzi, S. (1993). Hemelse geuren. Amsterdam: De Driehoek BV.

The scent of bergamot helps against stress, has an antidepressant effect, improves sleep quality and reduces anxiety.

Source:

  • De Vos, C. (2020). Geurpsychologie voor iedereen. Eeserveen: Uitgeverij Akasha.
  • Mei-Ling, C., Yueh-Er, C., & Hui-Fang, L. (2022). The Effect of Bergamot Essential Oil Aromatherapy on Improving Depressive Mood and
  • Sleep Quality in Postpartum Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Nursing Research.
  • Pasyar, N., Rambod, M., & Araghi, F. (2020). The effect of bergamot orange essence on anxiety, salivary cortisol, and alpha amylase in patients prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A controlled trial study. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.

The scent of lemongrass can reduce anxiety and fear also it can be used as an eco-friendly insecticide and to clean the air.

Source:

  • Goes, T. C., Ursulino, F. R., Almeida-Souza, T. H., Alves, P. B., & Teixeira-Silva, F. (2015). Effect of Lemongrass Aroma on Experimental Anxiety in Humans. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, pp. 766-773.
  • Mukarram, M., A. Khan, M., Zehra, A., Choudhary, S., Naeem, M., & Aftab, T. (2021). Biosynthesis of Lemongrass Essential Oil and the Underlying Mechanism for Its Insecticidal Activity. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants., pp. 429-443.
  • Doran, A. L., Morden, W. E., Dunn, K., & Edward-Jones, V. (2009). Vapour–phase activities of essential oils against antibiotic sensitive and resistant bacteria including MRSA. Applied Microbiology, pp. 387-392.

Jasmine has a relaxing effect on the body.

Source:

  • Kuroda, K., Inoue, N., Ito, Y., Kubota, K., Sugimoto, A., Kakuda, T., & Fushiki, T. (2005). Sedative effects of the jasmine tea odor and (R)-(−)-linalool, one of its major odor components, on autonomic nerve activity and mood states. European Journal of Applied Physiology volume, pp. 108-114.

The scent of rosemary protects the body from stress, improves short-term memory, reduces drowsiness and improves alertness.

Source:

  • Atsumi, T., & Tonosaki, K. (2007). Smelling lavender and rosemary increases free radical scavenging activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva. Psychiatry Research, pp. 89-96.
  • Filiptsova, O. V., Gazzavi-Rogozina, L. V., Timoshyna, I. A., Naboka, O. I., Dyomina, Y. V., & Ochkur, A. V. (2018). The effect of the essential oils of lavender and rosemary on the human. Alexandria Journal of Medicine, pp. 41-44.
  • Nasiri, A., & Boroomand, M. M. (2021). The effect of rosemary essential oil inhalation on sleepiness and alertness of shift-working nurses: A randomized, controlled field trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, p. 101326.

The scent of mint has a cooling effect on the body, can reduce nausea and improves memory and alertness.

Source:

  • Heuberger, E., Stappen, I., & Von Rohr, R. R. (2018). De neus. Utrecht: Uitgeverij ankhHermes.
  • Putri, S. S., Isnaini, N., & Yuviska, I. A. (2020). The effect of mint oil on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Malahayati International Journal of Nursing and Health Science, pp. 35-39.
  • Ahmadi, Y., Rezaei, J., Rezaei, M., & Khatony, A. (2020). Comparison of the Effect of Inhalation Aromatherapy with 10% and 30% Peppermint Essential Oils on the Severity of Nausea in Abdominal Surgery Patients. Hindawi.
  • Moss, M., Hewitt, S., Moss, L., & Wesnes, K. (2008). Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. Int J Neurosci, pp. 59-77.

The scent of chamomile can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. In addition, the scent of chamomile has a positive effect on the respiratory system, for example in cases of laryngitis.

Source:

  • Ebrahimi, H., Mardani, A., Basirinezhad, , M. H., Hamidzadeh, , A., & Eskandari, F. (2022). The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial. EXPLORE, pp. 272-278.
  • Reva, T., Shorikov, E., & Shorikova, D. (2020). Influence of Short-Term Inhalations of High-Concentrated Oxygen Adding of Chamomile Oil to the State of Local Immunity at Sore Throat in Adults. South Asian Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, pp. 33-39.

The scent of lavender has a calming effect on the body, can be stimulating, reduces anxiety, improves sleep quality, reduces depression and can reduce symptoms of menopause.

Source:

  • Sayorwan, W., Piriyapunyaporn, T., Siripornpanich, V., & Hongratanaworakit, T. (2021, April). The Effects of Lavender Oil Inhalation on Emotional States,Autonomic Nervous System, and Brain Electrical Activity. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, pp. 598-606.
  • De Vos, C. (2020). Geurpsychologie voor iedereen. Eeserveen: Uitgeverij Akasha.
  • Lehrner, J., Marwinski, G., Lehr, S., Johren, P., & Deecke, L. (2005). Ambient odors of orange and lavender reduce anxiety and improve mood in a dental office. Physiology & Behavior, pp. 92-95.
  • Lee, I. S., & Lee, G. J. (2006). Effects of Lavender Aromatherapy on Insomnia and Depression in Women College Students. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, pp. 136-143.
  • Nikjou, R., Kazemzadeh, R., Asadzadeh, F., Fathi, R., & Mostafazadeh, F. (2018). The Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on the Symptoms of Menopause. Journal of the National Medical Association, pp. 265-269.

The scent of orange blossom has a calming and soothing effect on the brain, improves sleep quality and reduces sleep disorders.

Source:

  • Cho, M.-Y., Min, E. S., Hur, M.-H., & Lee, M. S. (2013). Effects of Aromatherapy on the Anxiety, Vital Signs, and Sleep Quality of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients in Intensive Care Units. Hindawi.
  • Abbaspoor, Z., Siahposh, A., Javadifar, N., Siahkal, S. F., Mohaghegh, Z., & Sharifipour, F. (2022). The Effect of Citrus Aurantium Aroma on the Sleep Quality in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery, pp. 86-95.

The scent of vanilla has a relaxing effect on the brain. As a result, it reduces stress, anxiety, fear and depression, among others.

Source:

  • Amarasthi, N. (2022, Juni 24). According To Studies, Vanilla Scent Helps Calm And Reduce Anxiety. Opgehaald van Voi.id: https://voi.id/en/lifestyle/182763/according-to-studies-vanilla-scent-helps-calm-and-reduce-anxiety
  • Xu, J., Xu, H., Liu, Y., He, H., & Li, G. (2015). Vanillin-induced amelioration of depression-like behaviors in rats by modulating monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain. Psychiatry Res, pp. 509-14.

The scent of basil has an antidepressant effect.

Source:

  • Gradinariu, V., Cioanca, O., Hritcu, L., Trifan, A., Gille, E., & Hancianu, M. (2015). Comparative efficacy of Ocimum sanctum L. and Ocimum basilicum L. essential oils against amyloid beta (1–42)-induced anxiety and depression in laboratory rats. Phytochemistry Reviews volume, pp. 567-575.