Harnessing Plant Power for Mental Well-being
Today’s blog post is a scientific exploration into the wonderful world of aromatherapy. We’ll be looking into how one of your key five senses, scent, can be used to enhance your moods, reduce your anxiety levels, and provide a welcome relief from the day-to-day stressors of modern life.
Aromatherapy and psychological health
Aromatherapy is an ancient holistic practice that utilizes the healing power of a wide range of plants. Although some may consider the effects of scent to be simply pleasant, but otherwise unremarkable, studies have in fact revealed that essential oils and aromatherapy have a tangible effect on the brain. For example, they have been shown to:
● Improve and regulate moods
● Reduce stress levels
● Promote better quality sleep
and much more. So, let’s take a deeper look at some of these benefits:
Less stress
Stress and mood disorders are pervasive issues in today’s fast-paced world, where often slowing down and taking time to unwind simply isn’t on the menu.
But scents such as lavender, sandalwood, and chamomile have been shown in studies to evoke feelings of tranquility and calm, and reduce the physiological markers of stress, including blood pressure and heart rate.
Improved moods
Certain scents have also been linked to profound improvements in mood issues and anxiety, with the olfactory system (sense of smell) being directly tied to our limbic system (which is the part of the brain that controls our moods and base emotional responses). For instance, inhaling lavender can reduce cortisol levels, whilst citrus scents can provide a feeling of invigoration and energy, combatting lethargy.
These aromatic compounds can additionally exert a strong influence on our emotional well-being by helping to modulate neurotransmitter activity, and increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, which helps to induce feelings of relaxation.
Better sleep
Restful sleep evades the best of us at times, and aromatherapy can offer a natural and holistic approach to help facilitate its onset and even improve its quality and duration.
Not only can the ritualistic element of building an aromatherapy habit into a nighttime routine help signal to the brain that it is time to rest, but certain essential oils also demonstrate sedative effects.
But hold up, there’s more! Did you know that aromatherapy can also have potent effects on your memory and cognitive function? To find out more, make sure you check back here for next week’s post, where we’ll be telling all.