The part of our brain that stores our memories and affects our mood is the same part that processes smell. When we smell something, it’s stored with a memory- thus the memory is triggered by the scent. Scent is so powerful that it even affects our emotions.

Our strongest of our five senses is our sense of smell, and it’s the sense that’s most tied to emotion and memory as it is rooted in the limbic system. About 75% of our daily emotions are generated due to scent, which is why we have 100 times more chances of remembering a scent over something we see, hear, or touch.

Is there a particular scent that instantly brings back a memory for you? Or one that instantly relaxes you?

When I smell the scent of salt water, I'm instantly brought back to many childhood memories in Rhode Island and all of my trips to my grandparent's summer home in Portsmouth, or my great grandparent's summer home on Prudence Island. Salt water = happiness.

Give me lavender and rosemary, and I'm instantly transported to my favorite local spa, where I can feel the stress melt off me.

Fragrance affects our mood and emotions in so many ways. We've rounded up 6 different scents, and how they can affect your mood (and health).

Lavender

Lavender is believed to promote wellness and calmness. It helps to reduce mild pain, stress, and anxiety. If used topically with rose and sage, the severity of menstrual cramps could be reduced. Lavender's effects are that of an anxiolytic and sedative. It has the ability to stabilize ones mood.

Try our lavender aromatherapy products

Jasmine

Jasmine has been a popular scent for centuries with its romantic and sweet fragrance. Jasmine is a common ingredient in desserts, alcohol and sweets- and even in perfumes. Jasmine’s scent helps aid depression and anxiety, making it a natural mood enhancer.

Find it in our jasmine perfume: Arise Rollerball Perfume

Sandalwood

Sandalwood is believed to treat both mental and physical disorders, including insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure, liver problems, urinary tract infections, sore throat, low libido, bronchitis, fatigue, diarrhea, indigestion, and fever.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Sandalwood is prepared as a decoction for hiccups, poor appetite, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Sandalwood is commonly combined in a herb formula with other herbs.

Sandalwood transmits messages to parts of the brain that controls emotions, and affects both your physiological and emotional response.

Find it in our sandalwood perfume: Resilient Rollerball Perfume

Patchouli

Patchouli is a scent that’s spicy, sweet, and woody. Due to its unique fragrance, it’s used as an additive in incense, perfumes, and cosmetics.

Patchouli is used throughout the world to control appetite, skin conditions, easing symptoms of upset stomach, colds; and headaches. Patchouli provides feelings of relaxation, so it relieves anxiety, depression, and stress.

Find it in our patchouli perfume: Manifest Rollerball Perfume

Rose Geranium

Rose Geranium smells strongly of roses and is used to lift the spirits when it comes to nervous conditions like anxiety, depression, and mood swings that are related to shifts in hormones. It’s both a soothing and energizing scent.

Find this fragrance in our Synergy Himalayan Salt Scrub and Soar Rollerball Perfume. 

Lemon

Lemon helps with depression, reduces inflammation, fights exhaustion, kills harmful bacteria and viruses, and clears your skin. Essentially, Lemons helps you find mental clarity, reduce stress, and boost your mood overall.

Find this uplifting fragrance in our Energizing Citrus Body Wash, Body Lotion, Dead Sea Salt Scrub, and Soar Rollerball Perfume