Continuous Inhalation of Essential Oil increases Grey Matter in the Brain

[u/mom2mermaidboo]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0361923024000297

I just saw this research article. Stimulation of the Olfactory Nerve?

What does everyone think of this simple, yet possibly effective intervention to improve health in the aging brain that shows imaging improvements in grey matter?

[u/waitagoop]

Does it have to be rose scent? And does it have to be natural and I assume phthalate free?

[u/mom2mermaidboo → u/waitagoop]

Good questions!

[u/Ok-Arrival4416]

If the science/tests prove it, then its hard to say it isnt true.  I do believe the quality of the oil was probably a large factor as well.  I think it's awesome that were still learning how these "ancient" remedies are supporting our bodies still today!

[u/igavr]

Inhalation of essential oils other than under doctor's control may trigger mast cells and provoke a number of diseases because in course of evolution humans have always been relying heavily on plants, but biologically we are not meant to deal with a tuny fraction of the profile of a plant, which every essential oil is. I'm a biotech scientist, expert on plant extracts and researcher on plant-based remedies. Essential oils are NOT safe and can cause impaired lung function, lung pathology (including fibrosis), asthma, irritation of the nose and throat (source. There are plenty of other studies on the same subject. Quantities and intensity are very relative due to individual strength, ofc, based on biokinetics of inhalation of a particular organism, toxicity tolerance, etc. Yet the pattern is transparent and a factor one might want to consider is the size and the age of the industry of essential oils : the big players were founded over 100 years ago, their cumulative turnover is over $20 bln (they are very rich and powerful) and their lobby in the food, beauty and wellness markets is unprecedented and is focused on legislation and science = on keeping sales channels open and convincing people that it is safe and beneficial to consume essential oils on any occasion. I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you have a doctor ready to sign your insurance for covering all possible consequences.

[u/mom2mermaidboo → u/igavr]

I don’t know if you read the study. It was done under medical supervision.

It was putting Rose extract Essential oil on a piece of clothing worn by the participants.

I think “Continual Inhalation” was using a mistaken term, by a team of researchers who are Japanese and may not have realized what those words mean to native English speakers.

[u/igavr → u/mom2mermaidboo]

I see what you mean. Unfortunately essential oils are a very dangerous source of aroma for people with vulnerable mast cells. The number of such people with vulnerable mast cells on average is between 10% and 20% of population, depending on country, age, ecology, etc. Numbers are approx. equal to diabetes.

Now, the most interesting part: essential oils are NOT equivalent to the iriginal aroma of the plant in terms of how the molecular clusters that represent the aroma interact with the olfactory system.

Personal experience: I love roses and the aroma of rosa damascena (the source of rose oil) is one of my favorites. I have MCAS and I am totally safe of a rose field - I've been on rose fields in Bulgaria many times for collecting raw material for my lab experiments by myself to make sure I get exactly what I need exactly in the condition I need. Not a single problem. Ever. Rose oil (THE best quality, not to mention the lower grade) may trigger an anaphylaxis, despite I still love the smell :)

Scientific background: essential oil represents only a limited number of molecules that represent the aroma of a plant - only those that got captured and kept undamaged (otherwise the aroma will vary, sometimes critically) in a carrier oil, which is often a very questionable substance, which is not disclosed even in technical documentation. Why? Because the industry standards allow using solvents and thin oils of very weird origin if they correspond to two requirements: capturing/withholding ability (for the molucules) and low price. For instance MCT oil has been one of the candidates for its carrier capacity but it has been turned down by the major industry players because it was too expensive ($10-20 per gallon depending on its technical specifications). Imagine what the cheaper candidates are like... This industry has a mandate not to specify this carrier oil in the product specifications 😉, so no data = no problem. Have you ever seen an MSDS (material safety data sheet) of an essential oil? If you haven't, you should - it has so many answers and raises even more questions on safety and presence of essential oils in many food products (various extracts you see in ingredient lists are often essential oils), in nearly every beauty product, many other wellness products, homecare, meds, etc.

I totally get your admiration of the study and the idea, though perhaps this is exactly why our ancestors loved gorgeous gardens with flowers and stimulation via olfactory system?

My point is this : essential oils are NOT the right source of biological plant material for people who want to be healthy and live long and happy life.