Hi and welcome to my letter N post in the #AtoZChallenge. Today, I’m really struggling to find a word that fits my theme of aromatherapy. I mean, I don’t own any essential oils starting with the letter N. I originally intended on using the word “nose” and going into some theories of smell. Then again, I’m really too lazy to dig deep into this. So instead, I decided to talk about the (lack of) scientific evidence for aromatherapy.
Indeed, there is little to no solid, scientific evidence behind the use of essential oils for physical health. One of the reasons may be that it’s hard to create truly controlled studies. After all, a proper trial would use a double blind, placebo-controlled design. This means that neither the patients nor the doctors or staff administering the oil, should know whether they get real essential oil or a placebo. However, obviously most people will be able to smell whether they are inhaling an essential oil oor a placebo.
Generally speaking, essential oils do not effect physiological signs of the body. For example, lemon and lavender oil were tested in a study on pain control. They were not found effective on any of the physical signs of pain (heartrate, pain ratings, stress hormone levels, etc.).
However, the oils did improve mood. One reason for this may be that smells are strongly connected to emotions and memories. In fact, when a smell signal is transmitted from the nose to the brain, it reaches the limbic system as well as the olfactory cortex. The limbic system, particularly the amygdala, is responsible for emotions and emotional memories. For this reason, smells can directly trigger positive (or negative) emotions.
Besides, the placebo effect can be really strong. This means that, if you expect something to work, it is likely to help at least somewhat. I’ve even heard, though not specifically in aromatherapy, that the placebo effect can alter brain chemistry. For example, people’s brains respond to fake painkillers by producing endorphins, which are the body’s own pain-relieving chemicals.
All this means that, even if there’s no scientific evidence behind aromatherapy, it can still be useful. Like, when you believe that, say, lavender essential oil will help you fall asleep, it actually will. If for no other reason, it will aid in your bedtime routine, and a set routine is always helpful.
A Multitude of Musings 
I’m quite happy to use aromatherapy as a very pleasant placebo, even if it doesn’t do anything more than that.
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Agree, me too! I like the scents and do personally believe they’ll help.
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Let me tell you, Lavender oil has helped me through a lot of pain these past weeks after surgery! I can’t take anti-inflammatories, and Tylenol doesn’t do a whole lot. But breathing deeply of lavender oil has helped calmed me an made me realize I CAN survive the pain.
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That’s so awesome! I’m so happy lavender helped you. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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Essential oils use plants that were used for centuries to cure all kind of things so I think the scientists just don’t want to see it.
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There may be some truth to that indeed.
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I think that essential oils serve a good purpose and at least they are natural and that is a plus.
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That’s true indeed. Thank you for offering your perspective.
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The naysayers are usually those who have not tried aromatherapy or benefited from its gentle ministrations. Agree with comments here about lavendar — it helps me sleep. https://mollyscanopy.com/2021/04/norm-my-career-building-dad-atozchallenge/
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That’s true indeed. Like I said, it’s hard to prove essential oils work (or don’t work, for that matter).
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Even if they only impact mood, I’m all in. Besides Lavender smells lovely. Thanks for sharing!
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So true! I would diffuse essential oils even if they did nothing for my health or mood, since they smell great.
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Thank you for writing this post, I have been curious about your opinion on this 🙂 I feel the same way. Calming scents help my anxiety, and while that is placebo or memories, it still works 🙂
The Multicolored Diary
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Agree 100%. I’m glad you found my post interesting.
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Yes. I think lavender oil does help me with sleep. I’m not completely sure if it really does, or if I just think so because people told me it would. X
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That makes sense and it really doesn’t matter whether it really helps or it’s just the placebo effect.
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