From a great brain site with many resources, tips, and brain stimulating ideas, SmartKit---"to sharpen your mental edge"--
It has long been recognized that scents directly affect the limbic system, therefore emotions, but even more "importantly, the limbic area also houses the hippocampus—the memory engine of the brain.
Since smell signals project into the limbic area, it should not be too
surprising, therefore, that smell can also affect memory. This leads us
to the field of aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy seeks to capitalize on this nose-limbic system
connection to enhance mental and physical well-being. Typically, its
practitioners use essential oils (volatile organic
oils derived from plants) to bring these changes about. While I am
skeptical of many of the bold claims made for aromatherapy, certain
studies have actually shown some real benefits and results.
A study done in 2003 showed that rosemary could
increase alertness. Additionally, it produced a “significant
enhancement of performance for overall quality of memory and secondary
memory factors”. (Reference 5)
Research out of the Neurological Clinic at the University of Kiel in Germany demonstrated that the essential oils of peppermint and eucalyptus increased cognitive performance. These same oils also had a muscle-relaxing and mentally relaxing effect. (Reference 6)
A survey of the aromatherapy literature also reveals this anecdotal evidence:
- Jasmine has been linked with an alert and awake mental state.
- Lavender may be good for reducing test anxiety or
anxiety right before you give a speech. It may also be useful for
reducing excess stress that may get in the way of studying.
- Vanilla lifts a person’s mood.
- Ginger is thought to promote alertness and stimulate cognition.
- Citrus is also felt to be energizing. Some
companies are using lemon essential oils in offices to negate the
effects of the post-lunch dip on alertness"
For the rest of the article and some cautions, go to Aromatherapy to Boost Brain Power.
Recent Comments