These Are the Top 5 Scents That Influence Your Mood and Brain Function
Plus, the best candles to match.
By Danielle Fontana Dooley, Associate Director, Digital Content
·
There’s something soothing about fall and wintertime that calls for a candle burning in a home, and whether you always reach for your favorite scents or often change it up, did you know that there’s a science behind each aroma we gravitate toward and the effect each delivers to our mood? In fact, of our five senses, only our sense of smell is directly linked to the limbic lobe of the brain, also known as our emotional control center. Alan Hirsch, MD, director of Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, says that smells can change a mood state faster than anything else and that scents act in a very physiological way. Here, the top scents that make us feel alert, relaxed, energized and focused, and the top matching candles to reach for.
“Particular
fragrances, like citrus or peppermint, stimulate the trigeminal nerve in the
brain (which stimulates a tiny bit of pain) and tells your mind to keep you
awake and alert, which is why these scents tend to be marketed as energizing,”
Dr. Hirsch explains, adding that when brain waves are measured, the citrus
literally induces wakefulness.
Filled with tropical fruit notes and delicious sugared
citrus, the Capri Blue Mercury Candle ($40) is just the trick to brighten a
negative mood. For an elegant spin on citrus, try Jo Malone’s Basil & Neroli Home Candle ($65) that delivers the same mood-boost with a sexy white
musk base.
2/5
The Scent: Sandalwood
The Effect: Focus
When your brain feels cloudy or overwhelmed and you’re in
need of some (or a lot of) mental clarity, try inhaling some sandalwood (it has
been used for centuries in religious ceremonies that require mediation and
focus) to clear your mind while simultaneously keeping any anxiety at bay.
Infused with notes of sandalwood, cardamom and absinthe, the
Edgar Allan Poe Library Candle from Paddywax ($21) instills a strong sense of concentration
and calm once the scent fills the room. Jasmine and tuberose work alongside
sandalwood in the new John Hardy x Joya Sedap Malam Candle ($90) that mimics
the scents found on the grounds of the jewelry maker’s rustic Bali workshop to
encourage productivity (available December 1). Plus, once the candle dims to an end, the gorgeous
vessel is designed to be repurposed as a jewelry holder.
3/5
The Scent: Florals
The Effect: Happiness
Turns out “stopping to smell the roses” carried more truth
than we thought. Studies show that the fragrance of flowers like roses reduces
high blood pressure and evokes a cheerful mood while the scent as a whole is
known to induce a positive attitude and sunny outlook.
Byredo’s Burning Rose Candle ($80) is a dark, woody
rendition of a classic rose scent, including middle notes of violet and leather
while letting rose petals take the lead. For a more traditional rose scent, try
the Fresh Cut Roses ($25) option from Yankee Candle which fills the room with
the scent of fresh English roses that will put a smile on any face.
4/5
The Scent: Eucalyptus
The Effect:
Relaxation
There’s a reason spas always have an underlying scent of
eucalyptus or lavender. According to Dr. Hirsch, the scent of lavender
increases alpha waves in the back of the brain which makes us feel more relaxed,
and, Bill Blasket, senior vice president of brand development for home
fragrance, soaps and sanitizers at Bath & Body Works, says its eucalyptus
candles are designed with the goal of creating a soothing oasis at home.
Transform any room into a spa scene with diptyque’s Eucalyptus offering ($62), a pure herbal scent with notes of camphor that
delivers a serene setting the minute its lit. For pure relaxation, try the Eucalyptus Mint candle from Bath & Body Works ($22.50) to calm a stressed mind while
keeping you alert (you can find this one in my bathroom after a long day).
5/5
The Scent: Chamomile
The Effect: Improved
Memory
Both chamomile and thyme are known for their ability to
increase memory (they are often used to aid function in individuals suffering
from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease) and lessen headaches by improving brain
function.
The irresistible blend of chamomile, sage and lavender found
in LAFCO’s Master Bedroom Chamomile Lavender Glass Candle ($60) evokes both
heightened memory and a clear mind, while the Mulberry & Thyme candle ($49) from
Molton Brown sports a base note of thyme for a different sensory experience
with the same molton result.
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