A familiar scent has the power to make us pause, bringing back memories, feelings and awaking our senses. From the calming aroma of lavender to the invigorating scent of citrus, fragrances have an undeniable influence on our emotions and moods. The connection between scents and emotions is deeply rooted in our biology. This connection is why certain scents can evoke certain memories, trigger our emotions, and impact our behavior.
The underlying science of fragrance and mood involves several systems within our bodies that all play a key role in how scents can affect our moods, they are: the olfactory system, the limbic system and neurotransmitters that process all this information.
The olfactory system is responsible for our sense of smell. When we inhale a scent, odor molecules interact with olfactory receptors in our noses, which then transmit signals to our brains for processing. This process not only helps us identify and distinguish between different scents but also enables us to associate them with specific emotions or memories based on our past experiences.
The limbic system is the emotional center of our brain and plays a crucial role in processing emotions, memories, and moods. When the olfactory system detects a scent, it sends signals to the limbic system, which then elicits an emotional response based on our past experiences and associations with that smell. This powerful connection between scents and emotions allows fragrances to influence our mood in various ways.
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain that regulate various functions, including mood, memory, and appetite. Certain scents can stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, which contribute to feelings of happiness, relaxation, or even arousal.
With the understanding of the science behind how fragrance can trigger our memory and influence our moods, we now can dive into how it can affect our well-being and the space around us. Bringing certain scents into your home can create different emotional states thought your home. The placement of selected scents can either create a space that feels calm and inviting or very stimulating, rejuvenating our senses.
Scent selection is important when trying to create a certain type of setting or feeling within your home. Be sure to know your intended purpose for choosing a home fragrance and consider the size of the room in which you’ll use the product. Candles, reed diffusers, room sprays and potpourri are all great ways to incorporate scent into your home and add some ambiance to your living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, or home office.
For the Bedroom: Select scents that are delicate floral fragrances like lavender which are soothing and calming, or sensual fragrances with notes of rose, orange, and vanilla.
For the Kitchen: Select scents that are normally associated with cooking and baking, such as herbs, fruits, citrus, and sweets.
For the Bathroom: Select scenes that are fresh and clean such as grapefruit, bergamot, orange, mandarin, and lime.
Home Office or Gym Area: Select scenes that improve alertness such as bergamot and other citruses.
Holiday: Select scenes that bring the outdoors in such as pine, oak, cedar, patchouli, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, citrus, and bergamot.