Aromacology confirms: odors affect human health

Our lives are filled with different scents. Many people notice how their condition changes depending on the odors around them. In fact, even people with a not particularly sensitive sense of smell will notice how heavy perfume or the smell of paint can make them dizzy. Why this happens and how exactly aromas affect human well-being, is studied by the science of aromacology.

The science of aromas

Aromacology is a fairly young science: scientists began to study the influence of odors on the emotional and physical state of a person only in the 1980s. Scientific substantiation of this process was obtained in 2004, when American biologists Linda Buck and Richard Axel revealed the mechanism of human recognition of aromas. In addition, neurobiologists proved that the perception of odors is directly related to the emotions experienced.

Since then, the beauty industry has become interested in aromacology, because a functional approach in the choice of fragrances can enhance the effect of products.

Why do certain odors affect human health?

Essential oils were used even before our era: they were burned to fumigate the room, added to solutions for embalming. However, aromatherapy does not give specific descriptions of the action of aroma oils, moreover, they are not based on scientific research. For example, lavender oil is believed to have a relaxing effect. While the effects of juniper oil can range from calming to stimulating brain activity.

One scientific theory about how different scents affect the human condition is that the molecules of the substance enter the bloodstream through the mucosa in the nose and then spread throughout the body. This is proved by animal experiments: within the framework of the experiment, molecules of inhaled oils were found in the blood of rodents.

Scientists from South Korea conducted an experiment with lavender oil. After its application to the skin, the subjects’ upper blood pressure dropped slightly. In addition, the oil contributed to the normalization of cholesterol levels.

Russian scientists within the framework of the project “The influence of odor environment on the physiological status and cognitive processes of a person” proved that lavender and mint odors improve memory among schoolchildren aged 10-11 years. In addition, University of Hong Kong researchers also found that aromatherapy helps to cope with depression.

It is also believed that many odors are able to satisfy hunger. That is, they simply dampen this feeling. These include the scents of rose, vanilla, grapefruit and peppermint.

How are the research findings used?

Research in the field of aromacology is most in demand in the cosmetics industry. For example, some companies conduct experiments in this area on their own. The concept is to enhance the effect of cosmetics with the right fragrances.

In 2010, the perfume company Firmenich together with the University of Geneva conducted research on the effect of fragrances on the body. Based on the data obtained, fragrances were created for the company’s creams and lotions. This is how products with herbaceous, woody fragrances with a soothing effect appeared.

Although many studies on this topic have already been published, discoveries in the field of aromacology are just beginning. For example, scientists have not yet figured out for sure how exactly the odors of aroma oils should penetrate the human body to achieve the greatest effect.