Essential oils and the olfactory system
Fragrances and smells are around us all the time.
When fragrance enters trough nasal passage, travels until reaches the olfactory bulb. Via the olfactory bulb, the aroma is sent directly to the center of the brain, to the limbic system, where it is processed and releases heurochemicals that can be relaxing, stimulating, sedative, etc. – depending on the essential oil being used and some memories kept in mind. Fragrant stimuli get directly to the brain causing certain sensation. Depending on power of fragrance (how many molecule of fragrance in 1sqm) we can get phenomenon of fragrance perception in time:
In all phases at some point human brain may switch off – not to smell the fragrance any longer, to be ready for new one. It’s extremely important for our brain to be ready for reaction if any danger situation come – for example some spoiled food. Second mechanism is an adaptation mechanism – when some fragrance or smell omnipresent we cannot smell it anymore after some period of time (from 2 minutes up to 2hours), once again it gives possibility to work normally to protect organism. Do you remember your favorite air freshener or perfume – after some period of time it has no smell!
Author: Waldemar Stasiak - ELiX Founder
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