Smells are one of the most powerful senses we have, and they can be directly linked to our emotions. But is it true that aromatherapy relieves anxiety?
Aromatherapy, which is based on using various scents to improve mood and health, can help reduce anxiety in some people. But how do smells affect us emotionally? And which aromas are scientifically proven to provide relief from anxiety?
Please keep reading to learn more about the science behind how smells cause us to feel different emotions and how aromatherapy relieves anxiety ⬇️
*All links marked with AL are affiliate links. If you buy through this link, you incur no additional costs, but I get a small commission. All mentioned and showed products were paid for by myself because I personally use them.
What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine in which essential oils are used to treat various physical and mental ailments.
Through inhalation, you can achieve many benefits: aromatherapy relieves anxiety. While some people take pure essential oils for these benefits, there are other ways to employ aromatherapy.
I use this diffuser (AL) because it’s not expensive and quite small to easily transport it from my office at home to the bedroom or wherever I need it. It’s also a lamp which gives me the possibility to also have a calming light while inhaling the scents 🥰
Diffusing your favorite scents is a great way to reap some of those health benefits without ingesting any chemicals or spending money on expensive products. Plus, many companies sell pre-mixed scent sticks that require little work from you. Just light and enjoy.
What Causes Our Senses Of Smell And Taste To Evoke Emotion
Although we often think of smells and tastes as coming from an outside source, research has found that different scents can come from our bodies. Our sense of smell is a two-part process. We get information about a smell directly through our olfactory system, and then it passes to our limbic system to create emotion.
When you smell something, your amygdala (the part of your brain that handles emotions) is activated and changes how you feel.
Also, if you’re smelling something familiar that brings up pleasant memories, chances are good, it will relax you. On the other hand, if it’s an unfamiliar scent or one that conjures up bad memories, stress levels increase.
Scents Affecting Our Mood
We’ve all experienced smells that have caused our moods to change. But have you ever wondered why?
It turns out that you can use many scents to impact mood and behavior. Aromatherapy relieves anxiety and affects physical and emotional well-being.
Clinical research has found that essential oils can reduce anxiety, depression, and pain and improve sleep quality. Science has shown that smell is directly connected to our emotions. Some researchers believe we have a separate organ for smell and call it the nose brain because of its direct effect on our emotional state.
Smells can change our mental state instantly, whether we want them to or not. Scents can bring about strong emotions such as happiness, anger, and nostalgia.
While there’s not enough evidence to say aromatherapy is an effective treatment for these conditions, breathing in a few calming scents certainly doesn’t hurt.
Personal Experience:
I am susceptible to smells. Many scents can make me very uncomfortable. I have to walk past a train station to get to the office, and it stinks so hard. This lowered my mood significantly, and it was hard to concentrate when I arrived at the office, so I had a diffuser (AL) at my table to lift my mood again.
My favorite scents are Larch and Siberian spruce because I love walking through the woods. Just smelling those feels like meditation and brings back beautiful memories. Scents can also have a calming effect which is very helpful when feeling stressed.
3 Scents That Are Known to Help Treat Anxiety
If you suffer from anxiety, there are plenty of ways to treat your anxiety symptoms.
Research has shown that certain scents can positively affect your mood, including helping you feel calmer and reducing physical tension in the body and mind. Read on to learn more about the five scents that have been studied by researchers and found to be effective at treating anxiety symptoms!
1. Lavender
A 2002 study in Psychopharmacology found that inhaling lavender essential oil for 30 minutes reduced levels of stress hormones. A 2007 study in Alternative Medicine Review showed that lavender reduces anxiety, depression, and insomnia. According to a 2011 review in Phytomedicine, patients with pressure-given lavender oil experienced less state anxiety than those treated with a placebo. Researchers think lavender might positively affect GABA receptors, helping users relax. Check out this link to read more about the science details.
Lavender Oil
My favorite lavender oils come from Primavera (AL) and Heldengrün (AL).
Personal Experience: While suffering from anxiety, I also used Lavender scents to calm down. Especially in the evening when I wanted to fall asleep. In addition, I had an anti-stress ball filled with lavender. It helped me so much to calm down 🙏 My favorite lavender oils come from Primavera (AL) and Heldengrün (AL).
2. Rose
Rose essential oil is known for its soft and gentle scent and, therefore, is often used in aromatherapy to relieve anxiety. Some scientific research has shown that rose oil can effectively relax specific brainwaves associated with anxiety, depression, stress, and anger. One study found that rose oil can reduce people’s negative feelings from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here you can find more details about the science behind it.
If you’re feeling anxious or down, try diffusing a few drops of rose oil in your home for a soothing aroma. Some users say it helps them relax after a long day at work or school. You might also try placing a few drops on your pillowcase before bed to help promote peaceful sleep.
Rose Oil
My favorite rose oil comes from Primavera (AL).
Personal Experience:
While I was suffering from anxiety, I used a room spray with a rose scent during the day. The smell worked for me like a reminder that I was safe. The blooming scent had a significant „everything is okay“ effect 🥰 My favorite rose oil also comes from Primavera (AL).
3. Lemon Grass
This is a great herb studied for its anxiolytic and stress-relieving properties. It can be used in aromatherapy, in baths, as a topical ointment, or in teas.
Lemongrass essential oil is also an ingredient in many anti-anxiety supplements. Using lemongrass may help relieve symptoms of nervousness, restlessness, and irritability due to anxiety, panic attacks, or agitation. It is also helpful for pre-occupied individuals with their anxiety and fears.
Personal Experience:
The scent of lemongrass always motivated me somehow. I felt like being more powerful and able to concentrate. So it’s no wonder that I still use lemongrass oil in my diffuser whenever I deal with emotions and get more energy. I can recommend lemongrass oils from Naissance (AL) and Primavera (AL).
Key Takeaways
There is limited research to back up claims that aromatherapy relieves anxiety, but studies have shown that some scents like lavender, rose, and lemongrass help reduce stress.
This can be helpful for people who are using essential oils as a part of their treatment plan for anxiety.
Aromatherapy may not work for everyone, so make sure you talk with your doctor about using it alongside your other treatments if you decide to try it.
Read More:
Best Teas to Calm Down