08/08/2026
Holly Brandenberger | Essential Oil Education Within seconds of inhaling a scent, your brain responds.
What if your favorite scent was doing more than just smelling good?
The moment you smell something, odor molecules bind to receptors in your nose that send signals directly to areas of the brain involved in emotion, memory, attention and even immune function.
💜Lavender
Contains compounds like linalool which have been shown to support GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that promotes calm and balance in the nervous system.
🌹Rose
In a recent MRI study, participants who inhaled rose essential oil daily for 30 days experienced an increase in whole-brain gray matter volume which is important for brain health, memory and emotional processing.
🌿Rosemary
Contains 1,8 cineole and other compounds associated with memory and cognitive performance. Research suggests it may help preserve acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential oil for learning, attention and memory.
🍊Sweet Orange
Multiple studies have found that inhaling sweet orange essential oil can reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels, supporting a calmer, more positive state.
This is why I love aromatherapy. It’s not simple enjoying a beautiful scent. It’s about understanding how plants interact with our biology in remarkable ways. 🌿
References for studies:
PMID: 23983963, 37331298, 37998470, 23930255
