Aromachology

I’d like to introduce you to the concept of Aromachology. No, it’s not something I’ve made up or even a new idea or buzz word of the moment, although it’s certainly true to say that it seems to be rapidly gaining in awareness right now.

Aromachology refers to the scientific study of how scents influence human behaviour, mood, and emotions. It is rooted in the study of psychology and scent olfaction, both areas I’ve always been fascinated with, which is perhaps no surprise due to my studies in Psychology at degree level back in the day and my Aromatherapy and natural perfumery knowledge and experience ever since.

Scent and in particular botanical essences, can have an incredibly powerful impact on the human mind and body. Their minute molecules travel through our nose and olfactory system into the limbic system in the brain where our emotions and memories are processed and are able to affect our general wellbeing as well as aspects of specific wellbeing such as our moods, feelings and even our energy levels almost immediately.

It is fast, it is direct and it is a highly effective and rather beautiful way to intentionally build and trigger scent memories, and to help support us emotionally too.

Of course, its scientific and circumstantial evidence is something that I and other clinical aromatherapists and more recently perfumers, have been banging on about for years, so it’s great to see it being studied and employed more, both in business spaces and events and also for the individual.

As scientific study delves deeper into the biology of how scent can affect our moods, our emotions aswell as our memories, and then we use it intentionally to create signature fragrances, the potential for both scent marketing for businesses and natural perfumery for individuals to help support their wellbeing, becomes clear to see.