Aromatherapy Works. Fact.

The use of essential oils and aromatherapy treatments have long been a part of my beauty regime, and their calming and energising properties make them a key part of the wellness world. But how effective are they?

Image Credit @ Camilla Akrans for Porter Magazine

When it comes to food I favour fresh, organic, seasonal foods, and in the same way, with beauty brands I tend to lean toward natural brands with hero ingredients from nature. Essential oils are not only key ingredients in a lot of well-loved skincare and body products but have long been used in aromatherapy treatments. But how well do these products and treatments actually work? Can the right essential oils deliver on promises such as inducing a calmer state and helping you sleep better? I was really interested when This Works said they’d done a scientific study to investigate…

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Image Credit @ Camilla Akrans for Porter Magazine

Can Aromatherapy Make You Sleep Better?

There’s nothing worse than not being able to sleep, as anyone who has ever experienced sleeplessness or long-term insomnia will know. Products such as This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray use essential oil blends to encourage a better night’s sleep; but do they really work? The brand commissioned an independent functional MRI brain scan study to test whether the This Works Deep Sleep blend positively affects the regions of the brain associated with pleasure and calmness.

Image Credit @ Camilla Akrans for Porter Magazine

The Results

During the trial, This Works Deep Sleep fragrance Superblend was tested against a control fragrance. So, what happened? Both fragrances activated the regions of the brain linked to smell, but the ‘Deep Sleep’ fragrance activated specific brain areas related to socio-emotional processing; the hypothalamus, the hippocampus and the middle cingulated cortex. In short; the Deep Sleep blend evoked a deeper sense of calmness and comfort, which could lead to a better night’s sleep. So, reach for your most calming scents before bedtime, particularly those that include these essential oil blends, for a more peaceful slumber.

Find out here

“The sense of smell is very important even for survival. Odours can trigger various positive and negative responses, which can be emotional and compartmental… In this study ‘Deep Sleep’ blend, reported to positively affect sleep quality, leads to increased activity of some very specific areas of the brain known to promote positive feelings associated with emotions, pleasure and calmness conceivably impacting sleep” – Professor Gaby Badre MD, Neuroscientist, Neurophysiologist & Sleep Specialist

Ready to give aromatherapy a try for yourself? Here are a few of my favourites…

  1. This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
  2. Aromatherapy Associates Revive Roller Ball
  3. Neal’s Yard Remedies Aromatherapy Blend Night Time
  4. Decleor Aromessence Lavandula Iris Facial Oil Serum
  5. Therapie Energy Lift

READ NEXT: Back to Basics with Clean Skin | The Secrets to Better Sleep

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