Your sense is smell is powerful. So powerful that it’s actually possible to use it to help rewire your brain, control your emotions and improve your life. Sound hard to believe? Well, good job that it’s based on rigorous science.
THE CONNECTION
Dr Tara Swart is a neuroscientist and former psychiatrist; her research centres on ways to rewire the brain to improve its performance (think stress management, emotion regulation and information retention!)
Since the olfactory nerve connects the nose to the limbic system (the emotional part of the brain), the link between aroma and the power of your brain is very strong. Through research, Dr Swart has found evidence that aroma can influence mood, emotions, physical wellbeing and behaviour.
BUT HOW?
The brain builds our ‘reality’ based on the huge amounts of data it receives from our senses. We then create links between sensory triggers and past experiences that we remember. Smell, be it pleasant or not, is usually the strongest memory stimulator but all of the senses interact with our memory in a similar way.
Therefore, we can use smell coupled with visualisation to make the brain create positive connections. Each day, we can strengthen those connections in the brain; when we start to associate smell with positive habits/experiences, positive change can follow.
Put simply, if you took an evening bath or showing using The London Sleep Company’s Bath & Shower Elixir regularly, your brain would begin to associate those smells with relaxation, sleep and wellbeing. So, in future when you smell, for example, Frankincense, Ylang Ylang or Vetivert, you will be transported to time when you remember feeling calm, nourished and relaxed, which will trigger positive emotional and physical responses.
Rewiring our brains is known as neuroplasticity. We are able to rewire the pathways in our brain by tweaking old, or adopting new, habits. The creation of new brain pathways is important if you want to make any deep, lasting changes in your habits or thought patterns. These changes can ultimately change the course of your life.
The creation of new brain pathways is important if you want to make any deep, lasting changes in your habits or thought patterns. These changes can ultimately change the course of your life.
Try this out using The London Sleep Company’s Bath & Shower Elixir so that your brain links its calming aroma with preparing for rest.
