Essential Oils on the Emotional Brain Part II

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Dr. Sarah LoBisco, ND
@DrLoBisco

In the first blog, I discussed the biochemical, physiological, and psychological actions of essential oils. In this blog, I’ll dig deeper into some studies that demonstrate the power of essential oils and aromatherapy for mood.

In a 2006 article review, “Aromatherapy in the Management of Psychiatric Disorders: Clinical and Neuropharmacological Perspectives,” the authors highlighted various clinical trials and mechanistic in vitro trials in “psychoaromatherapy.” The dual nature of the “indirect” and “direct” effect of aroma was discussed. Specifically, this means the emotional aspect of the odor (direct) along with the effects of the biochemical constituents (indirect) both impact mood.

For example, in my first blog, I discussed how odors modulate emotions, just by our inhalation. However, beyond the sense of smell, different constituents in essential oils have been shown in vitro to modulate specific pathways in the brain related to neurotransmitter balance and other psychological effects. Furthermore, several intriguing clinical trials with Alzheimer’s patients demonstrated impressive behavioral improvement with certain essential oils, mostly lemon balm and lavender (chemotype was not specified), in this review. The authors concluded:

It is concluded that aromatherapy provides a potentially effective treatment for a range of psychiatric disorders. In addition, taking into account the available information on safety, aromatherapy appears to be without the adverse effects of many conventional psychotropic drugs. Investment in further clinical and scientific research is clearly warranted.1

In another review of sixteen clinical trials relating to the use of essential oils and anxiety, the authors stated:

The results were based on 16 randomized controlled trials examining the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy among people with anxiety symptoms. Most of the studies indicated positive effects to quell anxiety. No adverse events were reported. 2 

Different Effects for Different Oils

Beyond the individual biochemistry and preference of odor, as mentioned in Part I, the essential oil may modulate mood differently based on their effect on the nervous system. In a study with 43 healthy females, various essential oils were tested for their effect on nervous system tone. The authors evaluated for differences between various essential oils that were inhaled on a cotton ball verses an unscented placebo. They measured blood pressure and output of blood catecholamines, chemical signaling molecules that are effected by stress.

According to the study, the following results were found:

  • Black pepper, fennel, tarragon, and grapefruit oil caused a 1.5- to 2.5-fold increase in blood pressure, indicating an elevation in sympathetic nervous system activity, the part of the nervous system that is involved in arousal.
  • Rose and patchouli oil decreased sympathetic nervous system activity by 40%.
  • Pepper oil caused a 1.7-fold increase in adrenaline measurements in plasma.
  • Rose oil was shown to drop adrenaline levels by 30 percent.3

Another way to determine nervous system response to oils is testing their impact on workplace stress using subjective measures of its response, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability (HRV) measures. One Japanese study did just that. The researchers assessed the impact of bergamot essential oil, used as an aromatherapy spray inhaled for 10 minutes, on these parameters in fifty-four elementary school teachers in a high-stress working population in Taiwan. The measurements assessed five minutes prior to and after the application of the spray. Interestingly, the authors reported differing effects based on subgroups. Specifically, they found positive findings for all measurements in the moderate and high anxiety degree groups; whereas, substitute teachers and light anxiety degree groups did not appear to exhibit the same amount of modulation. The authors stated,

This study also found that aromatherapy was effective for moderate to severe anxiety groups. However, there was no significant statistical effect for the light anxiety group, which was stable for autonomic nervous activity. The function of aromatherapy is to drive the autonomic nervous activity toward a balanced state; therefore, there was limited physiological change after aromatherapy treatment. [emphasis mine]4

Finally, a few studies evaluated brain wave patterns after inhalation of essential oils to determine effects on mood and the central nervous system.

One 2013 study demonstrated both psychological and psychological effects with jasmine oil. In this trial 20 right-handed subjects (several studies have shown that handedness effects brain wave activity) were recruited to assess the effect of this essential oil on emotion and brain wave activities via measurement using an EEG (electroencephalogram). Importantly, the authors also acknowledged and controlled for the role of “pleasantness of an odor,” which can impact nervous system function, as mentioned.

The results were impressive. Jasmine oil caused an increase in beta wave power (indicating increased alertness) in the anterior and left posterior region of the brain. Those who inhaled jasmine oil also reported a greater feeling of well-being and a decrease in drowsiness as compared to the resting and control condition (almond oil.)5

In another trial with 20 subjects, researchers also assessed EEG recordings along with skin temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and evaluations of the subjects’ mood states in the pre-, during treatment, and post-rosemary inhalation periods and compared results to control conditions. The results showed significant increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate after rosemary oil inhalation indicating its effect on alertness and sympathetic stimulation.6

Another psychological and physiological effect of essential oils can be demonstrated in the practice of forest bathing. The smell of volatile compounds from trees, phytoncides, not only have been shown to decrease concentrations of adrenaline in urine, but also stimulate natural killer cells and immune promoting substances.7-10

Mood and Cognition

Not only can essential oils modulate mood and affect various biochemical pathways, they have also been studied for cognition.

One randomized study demonstrated the impact of the aroma of essential oils on cognition and mood of healthy individuals. 144 subjects were randomly assigned to assess the cognitive impact of either ylang-ylang aroma, peppermint aroma, or no aroma (control) using the Cognitive Drug Research computerized assessment battery,11 a validated cognitive testing tool, with mood scales completed prior and post cognitive testing.12 The researchers found that peppermint enhanced memory and alertness of the subjects; whereas, ylang-ylang decreased it and increased calmness. The authors conclude:

These results provide support for the contention that the aromas of essential oils can produce significant and idiosyncratic effects on both subjective and objective assessments of aspects of human behavior. They are discussed with reference to possible pharmacological and psychological modes of influence.11

Other studies have also demonstrated the exhilarating properties of peppermint.13-15 One study also supported that peppermint could be stimulating; whereas lavender, not surprisingly, was calming.13

Conclusion:

Essential oils have effects on the mind and body in synergistic and powerful ways. It is important to use therapeutic essential oils when trying to achieve not only mood balance, but positive effects on cognition and physical parameters. You can find more information on this here and in my new book, BreakFree Medicine, which incorporates essential oils into a systematic approach to balancing the body using naturopathic and functional medicine.

LoBisco041lowresSarah Lobisco, ND, is a graduate of the University of Bridgeport’s College of Naturopathic Medicine (UBCNM). She is licensed in Vermont as a naturopathic doctor and holds a Bachelor of Psychology from State University of New York at Geneseo. Dr. LoBisco is a speaker on integrative health, has several publications, and is a certification candidate in functional medicine. Dr. LoBisco currently incorporates her training as a naturopathic doctor and functional medicine practitioner through writing, researching, private practice, and through her independent contracting work for companies regarding supplements, nutraceuticals, essential oils, and medical foods. Dr. LoBisco also enjoys continuing to educate and empower her readers through her blogs and social media. Her recent blog can be found at www.dr-lobisco.com.

References:

  1. Nicolette P, Elaine P. Aromatherapy in Management of Psychiatry Disorders: Clinical and Neuropharmacological Perspectives. CNS Drugs. 2006; 20(4): 257-280.
  2. Lee YL, Wu Y, Tsang HW, Leung AY, Cheung WM. A systematic review on the anxiolytic effects of aromatherapy in people with anxiety symptoms. J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Feb;17(2):101-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0277
  3. Haze S, Sakai K, Gozu Y. Effects of Fragrance Inhalation on Sympathetic Activity in Normal Adults. J. Pharmacol. 2002; 90: 247 – 253. Available at: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjp/90/3/90_3_247/_pdf
  4. Chang K-M, Shen C-W. Aromatherapy Benefits Autonomic Nervous System Regulation for Elementary School Faculty in Taiwan. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM. 2011;2011:946537.
  5. Sayowan W, Siripornpanich V, Hongratanoworakit T, Kotchabhakdi N, Ruangrungsi N. The effects of jasmine oil inhalation on brain wave activities and emotions. Journal of Health Research. 2013 Apr; 27(2): 73-77.
  6. Sayorwan W, Ruangrungsi N, Piriyapunyporn T, Hongratanaworakit T, Kotchabhakdi N, Siripornpanich V. Effects of Inhaled Rosemary Oil on Subjective Feelings and Activities of the Nervous System. Scientia Pharmaceutica. 2013;81(2):531-542. doi:10.3797/scipharm.1209-05.
  7. Q1, Morimoto K, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, Hirata K, et al. Visiting a forest, but not a city, increases human natural killer activity and expression of anti-cancer proteins. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2008 Jan-Mar;21(1):117-27.
  8. Li Q, Kobayashi M, Inagaki H, Hirata Y, Li YJ, Hirata K, Shimizu T, et al. A day trip to a forest park increases human natural killer activity and the expression of anti-cancer proteins in male subjects. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2010 Apr-Jun;24(2):157-65.
  9. Li Q. Kobayashi M, Wakayama Y, Inagaki H, Katsumata M, Hirata Y, et al. Y. Effect of phytoncide from trees on human natural killer cell function. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2009 Oct-Dec;22(4):951-9.
  10. Nam ES, Uhm DC. Effects of Phytoncides Inhalation on Serum Cortisol Level and Life Stress of College Students.  J Korean Acad Adult Nurs. 2008 Oct;20(5):697-706. Korean.
  11. Moss M, Hewitt S, Moss L, Wesnes K. Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang. Nutr Cancer. 2006;55(1):53-62. PMID: 18041606
  12. National Institute of Aging. Research and Funding. Instruments to Detect Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults. Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System for Dementia. NIA Web site. Available at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/cognitive-instrument/cognitive-drug-research-computerized-assessment-system-dementia#sthash.QuMVF661.dpuf
  13. Manuel SJ, Syazwan M, Han CW, Fazliyana WN, Awal MB. Peppermint and Lavender Essential Oils: Are They Therapeutic Aromas for Attention and Memory? The Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine. 2014; 9(1). Available at: http://ispub.com/IJAM/9/1/19905
  14. Meamarbashi A. Instant effects of peppermint essential oil on the physiological parameters and exercise performance. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2014;4(1):72-78.
  15. Wheeler State University: http://www.wju.edu/about/adm_news_story.asp?iNewsID=1106&strBack=%2Fabout%2Fadm_news_archive.asp

 

 

 

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