Over the past ten years, essential oils have gained tremendous popularity, partly because of their ability to make almost any environment smell better and do so without the harmful chemicals and compounds found in most air fresheners and candles. Yet, they do much more than make a room smell better. They have significant physiological effects depending on whether you inhale them, use them topically, or take them internally, including effects on your nervous system.



A fascinating paper just published in the journal Molecules, titled The Effects of Essential Oils on the Nervous System: A Scoping Review, sheds light on the powerful effects of essential oils on our nervous system, with implications for both physical and mental well-being.Sattayakhom A, Wichit S, Koomhin P. The Effects of Essential Oils on the Nervous System: A Scoping Review. Molecules. 2023;28(9):3771. Published 2023 Apr 27. doi:10.3390/molecules28093771



The Impactful Essence of Essential Oils



Essential oils are concentrated extracts derived from plants. They capture the plant's scent and flavor, or its "essence," which is packed with beneficial compounds. The aromatic compounds in these oils interact with your body's olfactory system and impact the limbic system, the part of your brain that plays a role in emotions, behaviors, and long-term memory.



But it doesn't just stop there. Essential oils also directly impact your central nervous system, affecting your physiology and pathophysiology, impacting everything from stress response to cognition.



An In-depth Look at the Research



The study set out to provide a comprehensive view of the effects of essential oils on the nervous system, conducting a broad search across multiple databases and including both human and animal research in their analysis. They found that essential oils affect your:




hypothalamus: The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining homeostasis by regulating physiological functions such as body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep, mood, and sexual behavior. It also directs the endocrine system through its control of the pituitary gland, thus influencing hormone secretion and playing a crucial role in maintaining circadian rhythmsGuyton, A. C., & Hall, J. E. (2011). Textbook of medical physiology. Elsevier Health Sciences.





limbic system: The limbic system is a complex set of brain structures that is primarily involved in regulating emotion, behavior, motivation, long-term memory, and olfaction, with key components including the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and parts of the hypothalamus. It also influences with the prefrontal cortex, contributing to decision-making and emotional processing, thus playing a crucial role in human behavior and psychological functionBear, M., Connors, B., & Paradiso, M. (2016). Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain. Wolters Kluwer.





prefrontal cortex: The prefrontal cortex is essential for higher-order functions such as planning, decision-making, social behavior, personality expression, and moderating correct social behavior, often referred to as executive functions. It also plays a significant role in working memory and attention, enabling you to think, plan, and behave in socially acceptable waysMiller, E. K., & Cohen, J. D. (2001). An integrative theory of prefrontal cortex function. Annual review of neuroscience, 24(1), 167-202.




For instance, essential oils can reduce the release of stress hormones like cortisol, decrease sympathetic (fight-or-flight) activity, and increase parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity. They can even distract patients from feelings of anxiety, stress, and pain, providing a natural alternative to pharmaceutical interventions.



Moreover, essential oils interact with various neurotransmitter receptors, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), and serotonin receptors, which can lead to a range of effects, from sedation to stimulation and have implications for conditions s...