Why inhaling essential oils is so powerful

How do I inhale essential oils?

Essential oils can enter the body through inhalation through the nose. This can be done straight from the bottle or by diffusing the oil into the air. Molecules inhaled through the mouth and nose also go to the lungs where they support respiratory health. So even when we inhale essential oils, they have many pathways into the body and effects on various body systems.

How do they have an effect on our emotions?

Essential oils work on all levels; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. However, it has a very deep impact on the emotions that can determine our behaviors and this is often overlooked. Smell is the first sense we use when we are born. The sense of smell is the most primal of all the senses and these molecules can be instantly recognized (once stored) for up to 70 years. Do you remember a time when you smelled freshly baked bread and it brought you back to childhood where you first smelled baking? The limbic brain can give you instant access to your past through your sense of smell. Did you know that the sense of smell is 10,000 times more powerful than the sense of sight or hearing? The smell will go to the brain faster than sight and hearing.

Olfactory and limbic system

When we inhale the scent of an essential oil, the scent molecules travel through the nose to the olfactory bulb and into the nervous system. Olfactory neurons are the only neurons that the body regularly replaces every 4 to 8 weeks. These signals go to the amygdala where all our memories are stored. The only way to release these stored emotional memories and traumas is through the sense of smell. This area of ​​the brain is also known as the emotional seat of the brain. The tonsil is about the size of an almond. The function of the amygdala is to determine if there is a threat or a challenge. The main thing the amygdala is looking for is emotional and physical security, a sense of familiarity, routine, and routine. Beyond that, the amygdala initiates a stress response and activates the fight/flight response with the hypothalamus.

Why is the smell so instant?

Of all the senses, smell is the fastest processed. This is because the signals to the cortical brain tissue, the highest level of brain tissue, are only 2 synapses. All other senses go through a type of relay center called the thalamus.

How does smell affect our behavior?

The hypothalamus is our regulator and is always trying to bring balance back to the body. Therefore, it has a great effect on the fight/flight response or stress levels. The hypothalamus controls heart rate, blood pressure, stress levels, and hormonal balance. The brain triggers the release of hormones and neurochemicals that alter the physiology and behavior of the body. So you can see why essential oils have profound physiological and psychological effects.