The Power of Scent

It's no secret that scent is powerful. Both odor and emotion are processed in the limbic system of the brain. The sense of smell has a unique connection to memory and emotion through the nervous system, which is why smell can have a such a specific and intense effect on us.

Odor molecules interact directly with the olfactory bulb in the brain, which then connects to five other structures in the brain. Because of that connection with the limbic system, scents can have a strong effect both physiologically and psychologically.

We can all think of certain smells that are nostalgic, and often those smells can bring back vivid memories –even tastes. Sudden emotions can arise with a specific scent. Sometime these emotions are simply a sense of calm, other times you may be transported back to a specific moment, recalling the scent in the air from the people around you, the natural elements, the food or any number of details your mind stores away.

When it comes to scent, it’s not really a single constituent that creates an emotional impact but rather the synergistic effect of all constituents – especially if you’re working with essential oils. Rather than to rekindle specific memories, scent can be used as part of your personal routine to encourage your desired atmosphere or energy level.

If you’re looking to create a sense of calm, add scent to your meditation practice, wind down for rest time or need to relax some anxiety, try soothing oils like lavender, chamomile, clary sage, bergamot or rose.

When you need an energy boost, want to create an environment for productivity or want to wake up with a refreshing scent for the day, utilize invigorating oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon and wintergreen.

Remember you can always combine scents. In the same way we all enjoy different foods, we are attracted and responsive to smells in different ways. Find the scents that appeal to you and have a positive impact, and engage another of your senses throughout your day.