The Science of Aroma

Scents are powerful.  They attract, stimulate, and repel us, and evoke nostalgic feelings.

Aromatherapy is the holistic practice of using aromatic essential oils to enhance emotional and physical wellness.  When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils enter the body.  But how does it all work?

Olfaction Facts:

Being the primary organ of smell, the human nose can detect over 350,000 different aromas.  Once a scent enters the nostrils, it stimulates receptors on the olfactory sensory neurons located in the back of the nose.  These tiny cells send electrical messages to the olfactory bulb, located at the front of the brain.  Odors then travel directly to the limbic system, a region of the brain related to memory and emotion.  Inhaling the scents from essential oils can stimulate your limbic system.

About Aroma:

Seventy-five percent of our emotions are affected by the sense of smell, and scents can influence memory and mood.  Behavioral and emotional alterations by fragrance inhalation have been observed in clinical studies. 

Aroma also plays an important role in our sense of taste, assisting the tongue’s receptors to distinguish flavor.  It is believed that approximately eighty-five percent of our sense of taste actually comes from the sense of smell.

Aromatherapy and Aromas:

Using aromatic essential oils, aromatherapy stimulates the smell receptors in the nose, traveling through the nervous system to the limbic system, enhancing psychological and physical well-being.

As essential oils are derived from the essence of plants, they carry the health properties and scents of those plants.  The natural aromas of essential oils capture the essence of nature and stimulate the senses.

Added Benefits:

Studies have shown that aromatherapy and the aromas of certain essential oils can provide relief from depression and anxiety, improve sleep, reduce headaches, increase focus, and more.

We at Naturally Groovy Oils strive to create all-natural blends with rich, enjoyable scents. Visit our catalog of blends and experience the benefits of aromatherapy with Naturally Groovy Oils.