6 replies to this topic

[Fenix_]

https://en.wikipedia...ther_processing

https://en.wikipedia...lt_neurogenesis

 

So the olfactory bulb is one of the only two parts of the brain (the other being the hippocampus) which has a steady supply of new neurons formed by neurogenesis during adulthood. All olefaction (sense of smell) signals are sent through the olfactory bulb which relays signals to the other areas of the brain, heavily affecting the amygdala (generally associated with emotion) and the hippocampus (associated with spatial learning and memory).

 

I am not sure if there is much research confirming this, but I think scents can be a powerful nootropic tool. I personally enjoy a wonderful calming effect from sandalwood incense, which feels more natural than anything I have ingested. I would wear the scent if people were not so judgemental.

 

Has there been any research into using aromatherapy for pro-cognitive or emotional health? I know there is plenty of pseudo-science, but some brain imaging would be nice. Anyone else use incense for its calming effects? Also, I think incense has to have the most history of spiritual use out of any substance or otherwise direct sensory experience.

[Bateau]

I use lavender oil for its calming and sleep promoting effects. It's the only aromatherapy that has a decent amount of (human) evidence behind it, and even then, aromatherapy is very hard to test in good conditions (e.g. you'll never see a "blinded" group in an aromatherapy study, let alone double blinding).

 

Peppermint oil has tons of animal evidence to suggest its physically stimulating, generally increasing ambulation quite a bit, and 3 different terpenoids found in peppermint oil have been tested separately by themselves and each were found to increase ambulation, suggesting several active components in the oil.

 

I use peppermint oil for getting up, lavender oil for getting down.

[Galaxyshock]

Lemon essential oil is pretty nice, uplifting and refreshing. That and Lavender oil are only ones I've tried. I'd like to experiment more with aromatherapy though, I wonder what I should try next.

[Fenix_]

Frankincense has had some research behind it. The vapors have been shown to display anxiolytic and antidepressant properties (https://en.wikipedia...edical_research ). Frankinsense also smells very nice and it is the only incense I really use besides nag champa. I want to get a hold of some real sandalwood but it appears to be very expensive to source sustainably.

[dvdfjojo]

I use an aroma diffuser from Made by Zen and have built up a collection of about a hundred essential oils over the past couple of years.  I make custom blends depending on how I want to feel - calmer, sleepy, focused, etc.  It definitely works for me.  Frankincense appears a lot in my blends as its fragrance is so pleasant.  I'll mix with lemon verbena, grapefruit, clary sage & juniper berry for an uplifting, sharper feeling; valerian, lavender, cardomom & nutmeg to relax and get a good sleep; tea tree, lemon eucalyptus & manuka if I'm feeling as though I'm going down with something.

 

i've just placed a large order with Amphora Aromatics who I have a trade account with - I tend to buy the cheaper oils and then throw a few rarer and more expensive ones in with each order so I can build up a comprehensive collection.  Hop, Damiana & Spikenard are some of the rarer ones I've ordered this time.  Hoping the hop brings me as much happiness as a great hoppy beer - we shall see :-)

[Bateau]

Frankincense has had some research behind it. The vapors have been shown to display anxiolytic and antidepressant properties (https://en.wikipedia...edical_research ). Frankinsense also smells very nice and it is the only incense I really use besides nag champa. I want to get a hold of some real sandalwood but it appears to be very expensive to source sustainably.

 

Boswellia serrata (the plant which frankensense is made from), has a good amount of evidence behind its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, but these are not related to its use as aromatherapy. Any aromatherapy evidence is in animals only, and lots of aromatherapy has animal evidence, human trials mean much more.
 

[Omega 3 Snake Oil]

I've recently been meditating while inhaling from a diffuser, and I find that high quality frankincense oil gives me a much deeper experience (mild headache I assume is a good sign). Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm wondering about different types of oil for neurogenesis. Thanks,