What is the “Proust Effect”
It was named after Marcel Proust, the french author of À la Recherche du Temps Perdu (In Search of Lost Time or Remembrance of Things Past), when he wrote around 200 pages inspired by a cake smell that reminded him of his childhood and some long forgotten memories.
“The Proust effect refers to the vivid reliving of events from the past through sensory stimuli”
It is now a term used to demonstrate that a memory attached to a smell is usually much stronger and more evocative than one without.
They are “involuntary autobiographical memories” that cues in everyday life can trigger. This emotional response to a scent can lead to a great physical and cognitive response.
If you believe a particular smell makes you more alert and less tired, you will feel that way. You are tricking your mind into behaving and responding in a certain way just because you “believe “it to be true. The placebo effect is a powerful one.
Can aromatherapy have long-term effects on the brain?
To have any long-term effect on the brain, neurotransmitters must be affected. There is no evidence as yet that aromatherapy can physically alter this state. However, the psychological and emotional effects it can have might lead to long-term changes in behaviour.
Aromatherapy is part of a holistic approach to better mental and physical health. Concentrating on the whole and not just the details.
Knowing what essential oils are made of and how to create an aromatherapy product is more than just mixing a few drops of oils and creating a pleasant smell. It’s a fusion of science and art. There are various ways a blend can be approached and different outcomes it can produce. The dose, the origin of the oil, and how it is administered all play a part.
A physical effect can be achieved relatively quickly (with the proper chemical knowledge); however, to reach the full potential of an aromatherapy product, scents and emotions need to be taken into account. They are intricately connected.
Do you like the aroma or not?
While much research has been done on certain essential oils or specific chemical components, others have no associated clinical trials. This has led some oils to have a reputation for particular conditions and is repeatedly used by researchers when they need to prove or test a hypothesis. For example, “Lavender is relaxing” is backed up by numerous research papers and is generally known to be true. However, that will not be true for someone who can not stand the smell of lavender, no matter what the research says.
It is good to know how the mind is affected by scent and how it’s a very personal and often subjective experience that is very specific to the person receiving it. If you want to use aromatherapy to make you feel better and lift your spirit up, use whatever scent you find pleasant and comforting. That will have a profound effect on your mood, regardless of any research that is associated with it. A pleasurable scent takes priority as long as the primary purpose is the aroma.
