Olfactory System
- The sensory system used for smelling
- Vital for the processing and perception of odor
- Structures of the olfactory system include:
- Nose
- Nasal Cavity
- Olfactory Epithelium
- Cribriform Plate
- Olfactory Nerve
- Olfactory Bulbs
- Olfactory Tract
- Olfactory Cortex
- Our sense of smell works by the detection of odors. The olfactory epithelium is located in the nose, which contains millions of chemical receptors that detect odors. When we sniff, chemicals in the air, they are dissolved in mucus. The odor receptor neurons in olfactory epithelium then detect these odors and send the signals on to the olfactory bulbs. These signals are then sent along olfactory tracts to the olfactory cortex of the brain through sensory transduction where they are processed as an odor.
- The olfactory cortex has connections with other limbic system structures such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus which translates smell into thoughts and emotions. The amygdala is involved in forming emotional responses and memories, the hippocampus indexes and stores memories, and the hypothalamus regulates emotional responses.
Different scents can help elicit feelings such as calming, stress relief, alerting the body, and helping the body fall into sleep.
Sleep
- Lavender
- Valerian
- Bergamot
- Roman Chamomile
- Clary Sage
- Sweet Marjoram
- Cedarwood
Anxiety
- Holy Basil
- Lavender
- Jasmine
- Chamomile
- Rose
- Vetiver
- Lemon Balm
Concentration and Focus
- Lemon
- Black Pepper
- Spearmint
- Eucalyptus Radiata
- Basil
- Bergamot
Stress
- Lavender
- Bergamot
- Lemongrass
- Neroli
- Lemon
- Yuzu
- Orange
Alertness
- Peppermint
- Sweet Orange
- Spearmint
- Rosemary
- Lemon
- Ginger root
- Grape fruit
Sinus Congestion
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Tea tree oil
- Oregano
- Clary sage
- Lavender
- Rosemary
How do you use essential oils?
- Direct inhalation
- You can breathe in the scent of the essential oil using an individual inhaler which often includes floating drops of essential oil in hot water
- Indirect inhalation
- You can breathe in the scent by using a diffuser to spread the scent through the air
- Massage
- You can massage the diluted essential oil into your skin onto your neck, wrist, temples, etc
