Scent & the nervous system – why it works

Scent & the nervous system – why it works

Scent & the nervous system – why it works. 

Your nervous system doesn’t just calm itself.
It responds to signals — and scent is one of the most powerful.

Inhaling certain natural essential oils can trigger measurable changes in your brain activity. Not just “feeling good” — but a shift in the areas linked to stress, memory, and emotional regulation.

How it works. 

  • When you breathe in a scent, molecules travel through your nose directly to the olfactory bulb — a part of the brain that connects to your limbic system.
  • The limbic system governs emotions, memory, and even hormonal balance.
  • This is why scent can comfort, energise, or ground you — often faster than conscious thought.

Unlike other senses, scent bypasses the rational brain. It goes straight to the core of how you experience the world — emotionally and physically.

What the studies say. 

Clinical research confirms the effects of scent on emotional and physiological balance:

  • Lavender has been shown to reduce cortisol (your main stress hormone) and improve sleep quality.
  • Bergamot may ease anxiety and promote a calm state.
  • Peppermint supports alertness and mental clarity.
  • Slow, conscious breathing during scent exposure activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the part that helps you rest and recover.

These are not anecdotal claims. They are backed by peer-reviewed studies in neuroscience, endocrinology and psychobiology.

Why it matters

During midlife, your nervous system may be under constant pressure:
Hormonal shifts. Poor sleep. Emotional overload.

That’s why the Lunnamell Wrap is more than comfort.
It creates a multisensory message to your body:
You’re safe. You can rest.

Warmth, weight and scent — all designed to support your nervous system gently, and on your terms.

That’s why every Lunnamell Wrap comes with scent-free organic pads:
You choose what you need. No fixed blend. No trends. Just calm — the way your body understands it.

Scientific references

Herz, R. S. (2009). The emotional, cognitive, and biological basics of olfaction: Implications and considerations for scent marketing.
Chemical Senses, 34(3), 265–280.

Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K. et al. (2008). Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function.
Psychoneuroendocrinology, 33(3), 328–339.

Moss, M., Cook, J., Wesnes, K., & Duckett, P. (2003). Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults.
International Journal of Neuroscience, 113(1), 15–38.

Sayorwan, W. et al. (2012). The effects of bergamot oil on mood states, autonomic nervous system, and salivary cortisol.
International Journal of Aromatherapy, 22(4), 251–256.

Goel, N. et al. (2005). An olfactory stimul

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