Sometimes, when I’m talking to folks about the powerful ability of aromas to affect our bodes, they don’t quite believe me. They say, “ah whatever really, I just like stuff that smells good.” What if I told you that there are certain parts of the brain that are affected each time you smell something? Wouldn’t you want to be sure that whatever it is that you or your babies are smelling is natural and won’t do any harm?

Check this out: (I can’t do a freaking block quote on here so… sorry it’s not proper format)

“When a fragrance is inhaled, the odor molecules travel up the nose where they are trapped by           olfactory membranes that are well protected by the lining inside the nose. Each odor molecule fits like a little puzzle piece into specific receptor cell sites that line a membrane known as the olfactory epithelium.  Each one of these hundreds of millions of nerve cells is replaced every 28 days. When stimulated by odor molecules, this lining of nerve cells triggers electrical impulses to the olfactory bulb in the brain. The olfactory bulb then transmit impulses to the gustatory center (where the sensation of taste is perceived, the amygdala (where emotional memories are stored) and other parts of the limbic system of the brain” (1.22).

I know that was  a bit scientific and maybe a little boring, but hear me out. The limbic system is connected “to the parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress levels, and hormone balance” (1.22). It is even connected to the parts of the brain that control anxiety, fear, depression and joy.

I use to use Juicy Couture perfume that has a whole bunch of crap chemicals in it that do no good for me other than making me smell good. I now only use therapeutic grade oils that can help me combat things like anxiety, fear… and at the same time make me smell good. I want to know that for each breath I take that I can control, that I’m making sure my brain is getting good signals to transmit through my body, and you should too.

I’m not saying that you can control everything you smell, I mean walk into Macy’s and go through the perfume section and there’s no chance that you’ll avoid all those scents. All I’m saying is that if you have a Scentsy or candles try to limit it’s use. I know that they smell good ( I even use candles here and there and even a Scentsy randomly), but try something else. Try a diffuser with essential oils. They smell just as good and have nothing in them that can harm you. They might even uplift your spirits and make you feel better.

With all the chemicals consumed in our diets that are almost impossible to avoid, at least you can control the scents that are in your house. It’s important to take little baby steps at living a cleaner and more healthy life. Go get yourself a diffuser! If you don’t know where to get one, message me, I’ll hook you up.

PS. All quotes are from Essential Oils Desk Reference Book Fifth Edition, compiled by Life Science Publishing