The Benefits of Neuroscents (and How to Use Them)

The science of aromatherapy and essential oils has been around for a long time. Many studies have shown that scent has the power to do everything from improve your mood to help you relax.

Now, new research finds that repeated exposure to certain scents (a process known as “olfactory enrichment”) can even help improve your cognition and memory as you age.

But which scents are best—and how should you use them as part of your daily routine to reap all the potential benefits?

At Caftari, we use science-backed neuroscents in our carefully curated collection of
candles. Developed by neurologists and neuroscientists, these fragrances help activate neural pathways in the brain to elicit a specific benefit, whether that’s boosting your energy or helping you relax.

Keep reading to learn more about how these neuroscents work and how to incorporate them into your life.

Neuroscents 101
You might be wondering: What exactly are neuroscents—and how do they work?
Well, neuroscents are fragrances that are proven by science to have powerful wellness benefits such as energy-boosting and stress relief. The positive effect these scents have on your mental health and well-being happen because of how your brain processes the scents when you inhale them.

Dr. Tara Swart, brand ambassador for Caftari, explains how this process works: “There are two major processes happening,” she says. “One is that the olfactory nerve is stimulated by these particles of essential oils, and that triggers an emotional response in the amygdala.”

The amygdala is the part of your brain responsible for processing emotions. Dr. Swart says the emotional response you experience from these scents may elicit a feeling of joy, excitement, or optimism.

The other thing that happens when you inhale a neuroscent, says Dr. Swart, is that the essential oil particles are actually getting absorbed through the bloodstream in your nostrils and then through your lungs. From there, the particles enter your bloodstream, “so it’s affecting your brain-body system in two ways,” explains Dr. Swart.

The Benefits of Specific Neuroscents

At Caftari, we use different science-backed neuroscents in each of our handcrafted
candles. Each neuroscent has its own unique properties and benefits, so you can
choose the ones that suit your needs best.

First, in our Dolce Far Niente candle, we use warm and romantic rose essential oil,
which promotes the release of serotonin, aka “the happiness hormone.” Serotonin helps modulate alpha brainwaves and is generally present when you’re daydreaming or practicing mindfulness. “Rose is associated with optimism, and it can help you feel relaxed,” says Dr. Swart.

Next, in our Elixir candle, we use bergamot essential oil, which is more reviving and
rejuvenating, says Dr. Swart. This citrusy scent promotes the release of endorphins in the brain, which are feel-good chemicals. Endorphins are associated with gamma
brainwaves and are usually emitted when you’re in a heightened state of awareness.

Finally, in our Scent of Nirvana candle, we use agarwood (oud) essential oil, which
has a warm, slightly sweet, and smoky profile, to help ease stress and increase
relaxation. Agarwood can help reduce hyperactivity between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland, an intricate process that plays a role in how you respond to stress. This, in turn, can help modulate theta brainwaves, which are present when you’re in a state of meditation or relaxation.

Fun fact: The vessels on our candles even have the relevant brainwave etched onto them!

How to Use Neuroscents as Part of Your Everyday Routine
“You can create daily moments of mindfulness with neuroscents that elicit emotional responses and create new memories,” says Dr. Swart. “As you inhale the smell, you associate that with the activity that you're doing.”

So, what are some easy ways to incorporate neuroscents into your daily routine?
Dr. Swart says she keeps our Elixir candle on her nightstand so she can wake up and start her day with it. Meanwhile, she uses our Dolce Far Niete candle when she’s preparing to cook to signal to her brain that it’s the end of the workday and it’s time to start unwinding and relaxing.

We recommend letting our candles burn for at least two hours to reap the full
aromatherapy benefits—and make sure you don’t leave the candle unattended when it’s lit!

The bottom line: “I'm definitely enjoying the beauty and the benefits of these candles on my mental health and well-being,” says Dr. Swart. And you too can enjoy the beauty and benefits of these candles and science-backed neuroscents by adding them your daily wellness routine.