Effects of Olfactory Stimulation on Prefrontal Cortex Activity

A study out of the Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences at Chiba University in Japan evaluated the effects of olfactory stimulation with rose and orange essential oils on prefrontal cortex activity. The essential oils are derived from plants and have been in use for a long time.

The study was conducted when the individuals were exposed for 90 seconds to air impregnated with either rose of orange essential oils. There was a control group that inhaled only impregnated air. Which kind of air each subject inhaled was random.

The researchers used near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy and a modified semantic differential approach to determine subjective evaluations. The results were that of the 20 female university students between 20.9 and 24.1 years old had olfactory stimulation induced by rose or orange oil. They also felt and increase in “comfortable,” “relaxed,” and “natural” feelings.

For more information, read the full study.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25453523

Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.