In a new study published today (Oct. 23) in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience researchers found compelling evidence that the stress relief that comes from lavender comes the way that linalool, an alcohol that occurs naturally in the plant, activates certain neurotransmitter receptors in the brain via olfactory neurons.
— Read more at A NEW STUDY CONFIRMS THAT SMELLING LAVENDER CAN RELAX YOU at Quartz.
I do find lavender really calming, so it’s nice to hear science is backing my empirical evidence.
But if linalool is the key, rosewood or ho leaf oil would work better since they’re almost compleyely made up of the stuff. And not even my bottle of pure linalool does the trick as well as lavender.
My neurotransmitters are probably just all messed up. I find lavender energizing (and sometimes annoying, it depends), and frankincense relaxing.
I’m guessing you are not alone in finding frankincense calming. Why else would they use it in churches and temples around the world?
There is an article in the New York Times, too:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/23/science/lavender-scent-anxiety.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fhealth&action=click&contentCollection=health®ion=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront
Thanks! I think this is everywhere this morning, all about the same study.
I’m still trying to find a lavender fragrance that works for me. So far, it’s a Goldilocks project.