12 Feb The Scent of Happiness
Relaxing with friends, chilling to an ambient groove, enjoying the sweet pungent odor of…incense? For most of us, this scene conjures up images of hippies in the 60s: bell bottoms, tie-dye, and never-ending Grateful Dead shows. Actually, it may point to one of the grooviest trends of our time, because according to a recent study, incense can be a potent addition to our strategies for preventive mental health.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins and the Hebrew Universities in a 2008 study conducted by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, found that burning incense activates channels in the brain that alleviate anxiety or depression. “In spite of information stemming from ancient texts… most present day worshipers assume that incense burning has only a symbolic meaning,” said Raphael Mechoulam, one of the authors of the study. “We found that incense lowers anxiety and causes anti-depressant behavior.”
While many people are advocates of aromatherapy, there has been little scientific research conducted to date. “Despite aromatherapy’s popularity, efficacy data are scant, and potential mechanisms are controversial,” stated the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in 2010.
One of the few clinical trials that has been conducted was at Ohio State University (2008), which found “robust evidence that lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood regardless of expectancies or previous use of aromatherapy.” A prior study published in 1995 in Lancet found that “following a long history in folklore, lavender has been used as a sleep aid, and one small study suggested that it can significantly enhance the amount of time asleep.” These results were repeated: “lavender increased patterns consistent with drowsiness, and subjects reported greater relaxation.” (Int’l Journal of Neuroscience, 1998)
Even without research, it’s common knowledge that things that smell good make us feel good. Laundry right out of the dryer, hot cinnamon rolls, and the smell of a baby’s skin are commonly appreciated delights. The aroma of freshly ground coffee is the only thing that entices many of us to get up in the morning. These daily pleasures increase the enjoyment of our lives through their fragrance, so it makes sense that taking the time to literally “smell the roses” leads to a better quality of life.
It will be exciting to watch as more research is conducted verifying the healing properties of scent. In the meantime, it looks like the hippies might have been on to something. Please pass the patchouli oil.
© 2014 Catherine Auman This article is an excerpt from Catherine’s book Shortcuts to Mindfulness: 100 Ways to Personal and Spiritual Growth
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