Imagine you are quite tired and the day was so hectic for you. You drag yourself into the street and pass by a familiar scent in the air and now you are feeling calm, more energised and happier. How did this happen? – By just breathing in the air. Can you ever imagine how just a simple scent just changed your mood? Well, the sense of smell has a direct connection to the limbic system of our brain and when some good scents trigger this system our emotions are immediately changed.
The Science Behind Smell and Mood
The connection between scent and mood is rooted in our biological system. Our sense of smell is directly linked to the limbic system. The limbic system is located in our brain which is also called as emotional center. This system is responsible for regulating our moods and improving our emotional well-being.
However, to understand the science completely we need to explore the working procedures of the olfactory system, the limbic system and neurotransmitters. However, when we inhale smell, odour molecules start to interact with the receptors of the olfactory system in our noses. After that, signals have been sent to our brains for processing and olfactory bulbs are directly connected with the limbic system allowing us to connect neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers in our brains. Different functions like memory, mood and appetite have been controlled by these neurotransmitters. When the olfactory bulb sends a signal to the limbic system after smelling a certain scent, this starts to release neurotransmitters like endorphins, dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are responsible for generating feelings of happiness and relaxation.
Let’s understand it more deeply with some examples. Lavender is widely known for providing calming effects. Lavender is used in aromatherapy so that anxiety and stress can be reduced to release feelings of calmness and relaxation. Similarly, scents of lemon or orange, have been used to boost energy and improve mood. Many Japanese companies use lemon or orange-diffused oils in their offices to boost the focus of employees and increase their productivity.
Different scents and their emotional impact
Lavender:
Lavender is known for its ultimate relaxant properties. It has been scientifically proven that the smell of lavender is proven to reduce heart rate, cortisol level and blood pressure. In many aromatherapy centres, the lavender essential oil is used to promote sleep and relaxation. There are several luxury hotels where lavender-scented amenities have been provided to the guests so that they can have better sleep and relaxation.
Westin Hotels & Resorts has a “Heavenly Sleep” program. As a part of this program, they provide lavender-scented amenities like room sprays, pillows, bath products and so on through which they increase their guest satisfaction rate by creating a calming environment.
Citrus:
Citrus is known to have mood-boost properties. Different citrus scents like orange, lemon and grapefruit, can enhance mood and focus. These scents are mostly used in different workplaces to boost the focus and productivity of the employees. A real-world example can be taken here. Changi Airport of Singapore uses citrus-infused air fresheners in terminals, lounges and rest areas for the travellers so that they can feel refreshed and energised.
Vanilla:
The smell of vanilla is known to provide comfort and warmth. Many people associate the aroma of vanilla with nostalgia, relaxation and comfort. There are some studies where it has been proven that the scent of vanilla can be beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety. This scent is mostly used in luxury perfumes, candles and body care products. Lush, a personal beauty care company, has a dedicated product line of vanilla-infused scents including Vanilla Perfume, Yog Nog Body Wash and so on.
Rose:
Rose is often associated with love, romance and emotional balance. The floral scent of rose is used to reduce anxiety and enhance relaxation by elevating mood and promoting a sense of tranquillity. Even the rose essential oil is also used as an anti-ageing formula for skin. However, Chanel, used rose as a key ingredient in their iconic product of No. 5 L’Eau, which is known for infinite femininity and love.
Eucalyptus:
To refresh the mind, the smell of eucalyptus plays a significant role. The fresh and cooling scent of eucalyptus helps in alleviating congestion and a clear nasal breath. This can be beneficial for people suffering from allergies or colds. Corporate offices, gyms and hospitals use eucalyptus-infused scents to create a calming and soothing atmosphere to minimise stress and mental fatigue.
Can smell change mood instantly?
Suppose, you have a cold and you lose your sense buds for some days, and during those days you feel very tired and your life is diminished. When you started to recover, you again started to smell different fragrances through your daily food, candles, oils, opening a book and doing so many things. Your mood got uplifted and you started to feel fresh and happy.
From this example, we can see how instantly our mood can be changed by just being able to take a breath in the air and how it feels to have no sense of smell. Yes, scent can be a magic cure for your emotional depression or physical illness. A whiff of eucalyptus can calm your nerves, citrus can help you to be energised during your whole day and vanilla can give you that comfort when you are anxious.
Our nature has created such an atmosphere where we are constantly surrounded by various scents. The refreshing scent of rain-soaked earth helps us to become relaxed. The crisp scent of pine forests or aromatic scents of rose fields can take you to another world where you can find mental and emotional calmness.
You can test it on your own. If you have a stressful day today, just take a moment to inhale the scent of eucalyptus or lavender, you start to feel calm and soothing. Or you can just take a walk into nature for refreshing air – the aroma of trees, flowers and grass – immediately uplift your mood and refresh your mind.
Some practical ways to utilise smell in real-life
Aromatherapy at home
You can use essential oils diffusers or scented candles that have calming fragrances like vanilla, lavender or eucalyptus. This can help in creating a soothing environment for your living space. It can help you in better sleep, a focused working environment and better mental health.
Use of perfumes
You can use some perfumes that are scented like rose, jasmine or vanilla in your daily working schedules like for study, office or anything else. This can boost your mood and give you confidence throughout the data by providing you the feelings of happiness and positivity.
Boost productivity at work
If you are a professional person and have a 9 to 5 job, then a citrus-scented body lotion or air freshener can uplift your concentration in your work.
Better sleep
If you are suffering from a lack of sleep or you want to improve your sleep routine, just use some scents like lavender or chamomile. You can use candles or just spray these scents on your pillow before bedtime this can help you to improve your sleep quality.
FAQ
How does the sense of smell influence our mood and emotions?
The sense of smell has a direct connection to the limbic system of our brain, and when some good scents trigger this system, our emotions are immediately changed.
What is the connection between the olfactory system and the limbic system?
When we inhale smell, odour molecules start to interact with the receptors of the olfactory system in our noses. After that, signals have been sent to our brains for processing, and olfactory bulbs are directly connected with the limbic system, allowing us to connect neurotransmitters.
Which scents are best for relaxation and stress relief?
Lavender is widely known for providing calming effects. It has been scientifically proven that the smell of lavender is proven to reduce heart rate, cortisol level, and blood pressure.
Can certain scents really boost productivity in the workplace?
Different citrus scents like orange, lemon, and grapefruit can enhance mood and focus. These scents are mostly used in different workplaces to boost the focus and productivity of the employees.
How do companies use scents to enhance customer experiences?
Changi Airport of Singapore uses citrus-infused air fresheners in terminals, lounges, and rest areas for the travelers so that they can feel refreshed and energized. Westin Hotels & Resorts has a “Heavenly Sleep” program where they provide lavender-scented amenities like room sprays, pillows, and bath products to create a calming environment.
What are some practical ways to incorporate scent therapy into daily life?
You can use essential oils diffusers or scented candles that have calming fragrances like vanilla, lavender, or eucalyptus. This can help in creating a soothing environment for your living space. It can help you in better sleep, a focused working environment, and better mental health.
Is there scientific evidence supporting the impact of scents on mental well-being?
When the olfactory bulb sends a signal to the limbic system after smelling a certain scent, this starts to release neurotransmitters like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are responsible for generating feelings of happiness and relaxation.
Can a pleasant smell instantly change our mood or is it a gradual process?
Yes, scent can be a magic cure for your emotional depression or physical illness. A whiff of eucalyptus can calm your nerves, citrus can help you to be energized during your whole day, and vanilla can give you that comfort when you are anxious.
