MOSCOW, April 15 - RIA Novosti, Tatyana Pichugina. Aromatherapy is not included in the arsenal modern medicine, its destiny is beauty salons, massage rooms. Nevertheless, scientists are trying to understand how smell affects behavior, mood, human physiology. RIA Novosti talks about what the science of aromas has managed to achieve.

Psychologists of the Stavropol region began to use aromatherapy in their work in the colonyIn the women's correctional colony No. 7 in Stavropol Territory specialists help women relieve emotional stress with the help of aromatherapy and teach them how to work on their psycho-emotional state.

Plant essential oils in Ancient China burned to fumigate the premises, the Egyptians added to the solutions for embalming the dead, the Romans took with them to the baths. But science has taken up this relatively recently. The term "aromatherapy" was introduced in the 1920s by the French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse.

Plants certainly have useful substances. For example, willow bark was chewed since ancient times to treat inflammation, and then acetylsalicylic acid, now known as aspirin, was discovered in it. But it is one thing to take medicine in pills, and quite another to inhale it. How to confirm that the smell has a therapeutic effect? What is the physical mechanism of influence? In aromatherapy they give only subjective descriptions, unverifiable. For example, it is reported that the smell of rosemary clears the mind and improves memory, lavender calms and relieves stress, anxiety, depression, and treats insomnia. Juniper oil has a total of 17 beneficial effects, ranging from aphrodisiac to sedative.

The Science of Fragrance

Since the 1980s, a new scientific direction has been developing - aromacology, that is, the study of how odors affect physiology and health. In 2007, American scientists analyzed all the articles that published data on the healing effects of odors. Only 18 of them were recognized as accessible for scientific analysis, and even then with certain reservations. It is difficult to conduct such studies, because they contain a lot of subjectivity, it is not clear how the experimental technique affects the result, and, most importantly, it is not known what is the mechanism of the effect of smell on the body.

Perhaps the molecules of the aromatic substance directly affect the olfactory neurons and then the brain or the endocrine system. Or chemical substances penetrate the blood through the nose or the mucous membrane of the lungs and then spread throughout the body. This is confirmed by experiments on rodents, in which molecules of inhaled essential oils were found in the blood. In other experiments, rats calmed down by inhaling cedrol, a component of cedar, although their sense of smell was damaged. Of course, treatment with odors would be convenient, because the effect after inhalation is instantaneous, and the dose of the substance is required much less than when taking tablets. But in order to develop evidence-based aromatherapy, you need to understand the mechanism of action of the smell, and this is still a long way off.

Interesting results were obtained by the experiments of scientists from Austria with linalool, the main component of lavender oil. When it was applied to the skin of the participants in the experiment, their systolic blood pressure (upper) dropped slightly. This can be considered as an analogue of massage, but the therapeutic effect of essential oil is hindered by the fact that massage itself calms and relieves tension.

In Russia, the project "Influence of the odor environment on the physiological status and cognitive processes of a person" is supported by the Russian Science Foundation. Its participants are from the A.N. Severtsov Institute for Problems of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Institute for Information Transmission Problems named after A.N. A. A. Kharkevich and Orlovsky state university found that the smells of lavender and mint improve the memory of schoolchildren aged 10-11 years. Analysis of participants' saliva before and after the experiment showed that inhaling mint most significantly reduced levels of the hormone cortisol, which regulates stress. Since high levels of cortisol in the body are known from other studies to impair memory, the scientists conclude that mint relieves stress.

Solid emotions

All the observed effects can be explained in another way - through psychological impact. That is, a person reacts to the smell according to his experience and expectations, as well as through training. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that people experience emotions, change their behavior in accordance with whether the smell is pleasant or not. For example, visitors to a supermarket that smells good are more likely to help other shoppers. Employees of companies also work better, set themselves higher goals, if the room smells good.

Another factor is pre-formed representations. When 90 female students were told that the pleasant smell of the room was relaxing, their heart rate and skin conductivity actually decreased, even though they only sprayed lavender and orange neroli oil. All students noted that their mood improved. They said the same thing when they were in a room with a placebo, that is, with an odorless substance.

Supporters of the psychological hypothesis believe that the chemical nature of the smell is secondary, the main thing is the mental effect. To some extent, this is evidenced by cultural, individual and even gender differences in the perception of smells. For example, men who walked through the woods for three days in a row had a decrease in the level of the hormone adrenaline. There is also evidence that aromatherapy alleviates depression. In general, so far the psychological hypothesis of aromatherapy is better supported by experiments.

Whether aromatherapy is scientific or not, it should not be forgotten that the components of essential oils can cause allergies, especially with prolonged exposure.

A few years ago, the question of whether odors affect a person or not was practically not studied, but today scientists around the world are studying this topic and are becoming more and more convinced that this influence turns out to be very large.

First of all, manufacturers of perfumery, cosmetics, various hygiene products, means for restoring order and cleanliness in the house and outside it use this influence. The influence of aromas on a person can manifest itself in a completely surprising way: some can attract like a magnet, others, on the contrary, repel, some can cause delight, others - complete rejection. Engaged in the study of this complex topic is a special science - olfactronics.

The effect of different aromas on a person

Smell is one of the human senses, another way for a person to always be in touch with the world that surrounds him. Although with its help a person receives a very small amount of information - only 2%.

But how exactly do smells affect a person? It is the sense of smell that reacts to external stimuli faster than other sense organs and transmits a signal to the brain. A person catches the smell instantly, although, often, at an unconscious level.

Together with the air that a person inhales, air molecules enter the cells of his olfactory epithelium, as a result of which the epithelial cells are irritated. After that, through the olfactory nerves, the signal is transmitted already to the cortical region of the sense of smell of the brain. There the signal is processed. Those parts of the brain that are part of this center are closely connected with the limbic system, and it, in turn, is involved in ensuring that the constancy of the internal environment of the body is not disturbed. In addition, there is an action of regulation of autonomic functions, the formation of an emotional background.

How can smells affect health and mood?

Many do not know, but aromas can affect both the physical and mental state of a person, they can have a tremendous impact on changes in mood. There are even smells that improve mood. Indeed, having inhaled the aroma of your favorite flowers, everyone will probably smile involuntarily, the mood from such a smell will immediately improve, and the world will seem a little better.

To date, the effect of odors on health has already been well studied. It became known that different odors affect human health in different ways.

In order to get rid of depression and blues, the aromas of the following plants will help:

• Lemon.
• Chamomile.
• Orange.
• Eucalyptus.

Aromas can have a positive effect on the human condition in case of colds. Then you should seek help from the following plants:

• Chamomile.
• Grapefruit.
• Lemon.
• Mint.
• Eucalyptus.

It is important to remember that you should not fill the entire space with aromas. Everything should be in moderation. Only then will it be useful.

Odors affect mental condition person. Most people feel happier when they inhale the smell of pine needles or citrus fruits. Life immediately becomes brighter, as if new, bright colors appear in it. This can be explained at the subconscious level. A walk through the forest or a juicy orange always evokes only positive emotions. Those places or objects that smell of rose, lily of the valley or jasmine will also please. But there are those aromas that cause discomfort and even a severe headache. This is bird cherry and rosemary.

There are fragrances that are absolutely unique in their effect. They are able to restore spiritual harmony, calm, help to find harmony with the outside world and with oneself. These include, for example, rose, ylang-ylag, hyacinth.

How do scents affect mood?

All citrus fruits, magnolia, patchouli, cedar, as well as the smell of cinnamon will help raise it. Ginger, bergamot, violet will also cheer you up. A simple way, but very effective. Just inhale the aroma and no need for any pills. Aromas that uplift the mood and can improve immunity are lemon balm, geranium, sandalwood, neroli.

Many believe that aroma can only enter the human body through the nose and lungs, but this is an absolute misconception. Human skin can also contribute to the penetration of odors. For those who do not believe, you can conduct an experiment - rub the soles of your feet with a head of garlic. After a few minutes, you will definitely feel its taste in your mouth.

Do smells affect relationships between people?

Smells have a pronounced motivated effect.

Despite the fact that sometimes they are not tangible, only thanks to them, on an intuitive level, sometimes friends, lovers find each other. And such alliances can take shape for life. The role of smells in relationships, of course, is unshakable. It will never be comfortable together for people whose smells are not compatible, such a union will surely break up. Attractants or pheromones act with incredible force, attracting people to each other literally at a physiological level. This is the very chemistry of feelings, about which so much has already been said.

Communication at the level of smells exists not only among people, but also among animals, and even insects. This is how small butterflies and large mammals communicate.

The scents you wear all the time stick in your memory, albeit unconsciously. Therefore, it is very important to take good care of yourself. In addition, women who have decided on the choice of perfume and are already in adulthood should not change perfumes, as this may affect their relationship with their loved one. He is already accustomed to the smell of your perfume, for him it is your smell. His loss will be tantamount to losing you as a woman.

How does the human body smell?

As already mentioned, each person has his own unique smell. It is on it that lost animals find their owners. A newborn baby only recognizes its mother by smell. It goes without saying that the natural human smell is the secretions of the sweat glands.

These secretions have not yet been sufficiently studied, but many scientists are now working on this problem. It is even believed that with a complete study of sweat, it will be possible to study the inner world of a person, since it is through sweat secretions that the external world and the aura are connected.

Sweat secretions have a different smell depending on the situation in which they appeared - it can be intense sports, or a situation of fear, a stressful situation, happy moments of life, intense mental activity. The type of allocation depends on the type of work.

With age, the smell of the human body changes, this is due to the production of new substances that are not typical for people of young and middle ages. But the effect of odors on the body does not change.
We perceive the natural human aroma at the subconscious level. We do not seek to feel it purposefully. This happens randomly. And the signal is processed by our brain, often letting us know whether this person is right for us or not.

Why a person smells one way or another is difficult to explain. This is due to a number of different features. First of all - the features of the hormonal and immune systems and bacteria that live on human skin.
Women are more sensitive than men. But in the psychology of a man, it is laid down to react to female enchanting aromas much more strongly.

When communicating, a man and a woman who initially approached each other in aroma, they, as it were, check each other for further compatibility. A man is more and more fascinated by the smell of a woman, he produces more and more testosterone (read:). Then the woman also produces a response hormone and the response game begins. This feeling can be called love at first sight. Sometimes it continues until the last breath. And here the influence of aromas on the human body is by no means exaggerated. It really does happen.

It becomes obvious that smells are something that has tremendous power over us. Often, a pleasant smell lifts our mood, smells often help us in communication. And despite the fact that sometimes we simply do not notice them, do not feel them, but in fact we feel them, they take possession of us. The world is ruled by smells, instincts. We like the person. What do we like about it? Is it possible to accurately answer this question? Eyes, hair, smile, gait, his state of mind ... And we were attracted by the smell. Because it is a smell that is compatible with ours. Let it not be felt, it acts subconsciously, but still it acts, acts on the human psyche.

The sense of smell is one of the oldest and most important senses, and smells can both help and harm our body. How to benefit from aromas, for example, to get rid of depression, and how to choose a smell for a person's character?

Olfatronics - the science of the influence of odors on the human brain - began its development with tomography. The pictures show that different aromas activate different parts of the brain. In fact, smell is a set of volatile molecules that, when they enter the olfactory bulb, activate the cerebral hemispheres and then enter the limbic system. Thanks to this sequence, our emotional reactions and internal state are formed: cheerfulness, relaxation, drowsiness, etc.

Some aromas are perceived on a subconscious level and evoke certain memories and associations. Camphor is associated with illness because it is found in many medicinal ointments, although it has a pleasant smell. Notes of cut grass refer our thoughts to memories of summer, and tangerine to the new year.

Smells can be both useful and harmful to our body. It works like this: being too close to the source of a strong aroma, the brain sends a danger signal throughout the body and a headache or general malaise appears. It is worth listening to the reactions of the body and moving away from the place of concentration of volatile substances in the air, which can harm health.

How to use scents to your advantage

Since the sense of smell is the system that delivers information to the brain most quickly, there are high hopes for aromatherapy. Now the properties of odors are used in medicine, industry and at the level interpersonal relationships. To get the most out of fragrances, follow these two rules:

• Do not use essences that are too intrusive so that the body does not perceive them as a threat. Even subtle notes of perfume or essential oils can evoke the right emotions.
• Use associative memory. If you are going to meet an old friend, apply a few drops of the perfume that you used in close communication with him before. If you want to increase your efficiency, apply eau de toilette at the beginning of the working day, which will say “Concentrate, work!”, And in the evening - another one to signal relaxation. Soon you will learn to manipulate your condition.

To get rid of depression and blues, use perfume with notes of eucalyptus, lemon, chamomile or orange. Pine needles, citrus fruits, rose, lily of the valley or jasmine will help improve your mood. Ylang-ylang and hyacinth will help to establish harmonious relationship with the world and myself.

The relationship between fragrance and personality

People with similar personalities often choose perfumes with similar notes. This also works in the opposite direction: the aroma that a person prefers will tell about his character. Use this information when meeting with a potential partner when choosing a behavior strategy. To be on the same wavelength with him, apply a scent that is familiar to him.

• Easy-going, pleasant people choose floral perfumes, where notes of rose, gardenia, jasmine, lily and freesia are clearly audible. They have a passion for beautiful things and unusual decor. They even approach routine matters with creativity. Instead of a noisy party, they will choose home gatherings in a warm circle, which, thanks to their approach, are never monotonous. Such women and men are said to be good hosts.
• Elegant people with a sense of style choose woody scents, with notes of sandalwood and cedar wood. These are intellectuals who are able to conduct conversations on various topics. Cautious and reserved, never losing his composure.

• Supporters of a healthy lifestyle choose perfumes with aromas of greenery, forest, moss, bamboo and morning dew. They prefer natural products without preservatives. Perhaps they gave up meat. Energetic, smart and find unusual solutions to everyday problems. Always achieve their goals.
• Oriental perfumery is chosen by men and women who are true to tradition. Hearing the smell of vanilla, amber and spices is typical of antiques collectors. Outwardly stand out with the help of unusual accessories. In speech, catchy phrases are used.
• Citrus aromas are characteristic of well-organized people. They are successful thanks to strict discipline, a clear strategy and well-thought-out tactics. If something went wrong, they are quick-tempered, but quick-tempered.
• Romantics choose fruit eau de toilette. These people easily make new friends and become the soul of the company. You can always rely on them, they are excellent team players, they have a good sense of humor. They are monogamous at heart, but their hobbies are flirting and romantic games.

• Perfumes with notes of sea breeze, algae and rain are typical for those who are afraid of closed spaces. Between beautiful and practical things, they will always choose the second option. These are progressive personalities, whose eyes are fixed on the future. In creativity they are avant-gardists, in love they are freedom-loving, and they never stay in one place for a long time.
• Fresh fragrances are preferred by typical urbanists who do not imagine themselves outside the city. They value comfort, are fond of contemporary art and keep up with the latest trends. They do not like household chores, but instead they prefer meeting with friends.

With the help of this characteristic, you will choose a perfume for an important person for you and will be able to make a good impression. The MAKEUP website has not only eau de toilette, but also aroma decor for the home.

Online store MAKEUP

Man in the course of his life actively interacts with environment, which is carried out by recognizing objects, sounds, smells and taste sensations using specialized sense organs. They provide the perception of information about the outside world, thanks to which a person can recognize both external factors necessary for life (see food, smell food) and notice danger (avoid collision with dangerous animals, smell gas in the apartment). In accordance with the characteristics of the perceived signals, the organs of vision, hearing, taste, smell, touch and balance are distinguished, which have been formed in the process of evolution and have become an integral part of the life of most living beings. The organ responsible for the perception of smells is considered to be one of the most ancient, since it was formed much earlier than the other specialized sense organs and was found even in the first chordates.

Smell is a subjective sensation that arises due to the process of smelling and is associated with the ingress of a gaseous substance sufficient to activate sensitive receptors on a certain part of the nasal mucosa. It is generally accepted that the perception of smells was one of the first senses that appeared in animals, which helped them recognize food, the opposite sex, and the approach of danger.

In accordance with the reaction after the perception of the smell, the behavior of animals can develop along the path:

• orientation (when searching for certain objects, some living beings successfully use smell);
• reactions (voluntary and involuntary reactions, such as salivation at the smell of food, as well as a change in the emotional background);
• signaling (some living creatures transmit this or that information to individuals of their own species with the help of smell).

Depending on the ability of animals to perceive odors (usually closely related to the concentration gaseous substances in inhaled air), there are:

• macrosmats (capable of smelling a smell at a considerable distance from its source, or, in some cases, at a shallow depth underground);
• microsmats (have a low degree of development of smell).

Man belongs to microsmats, which is associated with a phylogenetically (over a number of generations) caused by the loss of olfactory function. On average, a person has about 6 million cells responsible for the perception of odors. At the same time, in dogs, the number of these receptors exceeds 200 million. Thus, it can be seen that the olfactory function in humans plays a much smaller role compared to other mammalian species.

It has been established that the number of active genes responsible for the functional proteins of the olfactory apparatus directly correlates with the ability to perceive odors. Thus, it was found that macrosomates have more than 1000, many primates have about 500, and humans have 387 genes, which is approximately 2% of the genome.

Smell and children

The smell in the lives of children, even despite their high cognitive ability, does not have a great influence on the dynamics of the development of cognitive functions. In addition, the study of children's ability to perceive smell has a number of problems due to the complexity of conscious contact in children under the age of 4 years. In this regard, special tests are required to assess the sense of smell.

Smells are evaluated by each person on the basis of personal experience, which develops within narrow limits in a particular environment. One study found evidence that smell memory lasts for 1 year, while visual memory lasts for several months.

The question of at what age newborns begin to perceive and distinguish between pleasant and unpleasant odors, as well as enjoy food, has not yet been clearly resolved. Newborns, however, can identify odors that have biological significance. So, in one of the experiments conducted by American scientists, women immediately before feeding the baby were washed with one of their breasts, after which in 75% of cases the newborn chose an unwashed, smelly breast.

In one of the experiments conducted by the American scientist Macfarlane, it was found that already at the age of 6-10 days, babies choose the tissue that was in contact with the mother's breast, and not another woman.

In a number of other studies conducted by foreign scientists, it was also shown that at the age of 3 to 5 years, smells play a big role in a child's attachment to his mother. Between 2 and 7 years of age, children begin to show scent preferences that are similar to those of adults living in the same geographic area.

It is also known that the ability to perceive odors in children before puberty and in children during puberty has significant differences. This is also seen in other mammals. Some researchers suggest that this is due to changes in the nervous system, which are manifested by a marked growth of the olfactory epithelium and olfactory bulb from birth to adulthood.

American scientists conducted experiments with children aged 4 to 12 years old to evaluate odors with their subsequent identification using words. In this study, it was noted that as they grew older, there was an increase in the accuracy of identifying odors, and girls coped with the task noticeably better. However, it has also been suggested that this is due to girls' superior ability to communicate.

The smell in the life of adults, although not the largest (compared to vision), but quite an important role. As a rule, there is a close connection between smell and emotions, as well as relationships between people, and often it has an unconscious character.

Regarding the ability to perceive odors, a study was conducted, during which it was found that at the age of over 35 years, there is a decrease in the sensitivity of the neurons of the olfactory analyzer. It has also been noted that the ability to distinguish odors decreases with age, but this happens much less in women.

In one of the studies carried out, a link was found between the MHC genes (known as HLA, or human leukocyte antigens), and the perception of odors. Thus, there is evidence that the offspring of parents with different MHC genes have a stronger immune defense. It has been noted that fish, mice and human females are able to distinguish between the odors of potential partners of the opposite sex who have different MHC genes from their own.

Of great importance for modern medicine is the use of cells taken from the organ responsible for the human sense of smell. These cells have great importance for wide application, since somatic stem cells have a high regenerative capacity and can be successfully used as a source of material.

In the course of a number of studies conducted by foreign scientists, it was also revealed that there is a connection between people with increased body weight and the ability to perceive odors. However, after a number of patients underwent gastric bypass surgery, which allowed to achieve rapid weight loss, no increase in sensitivity to odor perception was detected. A number of scientists have suggested that, perhaps, a violation of the sense of smell caused obesity. This issue requires further study.

The effect of smoking on the sense of smell is still being studied. So, in a study conducted in Sweden, which involved 1387 people, the relationship between impaired perception of smells and smoking was not revealed. Among 2838 participants in a study conducted in the state of Wisconsin, United States of America, a slight violation of the perception of smell in women was still detected. Also, in a study conducted in Germany, a decrease in the sense of smell was found in males and females. Thus, the negative effect of smoking on the ability to perceive odors is still a matter of debate.

Smell and men

The first evidence confirming the existence of a difference between the ability to perceive smells in men and women was published in 1924. In this study, it was noted that women found camphor, menthol, citronella, ferric, and valerian to be more pleasant than men. At the same time, the men found the smells of olive oil, cedar oil, musk, and legumes to be more pleasant. Similar data were obtained in a study conducted in 1980 by the journal national geographic Smell Survey, Thus, we can say that the sense of smell in men and women is different. To date, it is reliably known that young and middle-aged men have much less sensitivity to the perception of odors than women.

In most cases, women smell a little stronger than men, which has been proven in numerous studies by both domestic and foreign scientists to date. Although there are also a number of smells that are equally perceived by both men and women.

Also interesting is the fact that the sense of smell changes against the background of changes in the hormonal background. In this regard, during women perceive the smell stronger than in other periods of the menstrual cycle. However, in women who regularly take oral contraceptives, the sense of smell practically does not change.

In one of the conducted studies, the sizes of the olfactory bulbs were estimated - paired anatomical structures of the brain that are part of the analyzer responsible for the perception of odors. So, with almost the same mass of these structures, the number of nerve cells in women was 6.9 million cells, while in men - 3.5 million.

Smell and mature

Testing the ability to perceive smells in the elderly is only a problem in cases where there is both a significant loss of olfactory function and a decrease in cognitive abilities. In other cases, the assessment of smell is not a problem.

As a rule, people take the sense of smell for granted, and therefore almost no one notices the qualitative changes in this sense. However, it is reliably known that with age there is a loss of smell, as well as the ability to differentiate odors. So, more than 75% of people over the age of 80 have certain signs of a decrease in the perception of smells. This is especially strongly determined after the seventh decade. Also, in one of the recent studies, data were obtained that olfactory disorders are much more pronounced than taste disorders.

There are many theories that explain the loss of smelling abilities with age, but there is no generally accepted opinion. Thus, this may be associated with an age-related decrease in the number of olfactory receptors, impaired cognitive functions, and a decrease in the area of ​​the olfactory epithelium.

Smell and taste analyzers are often mentioned in foreign literature as a single chemosensory system. This is due to the fact that they transmit information to the central nervous system about chemical composition objects through the process of transduction.

In order to perceive the smell, a person has an olfactory analyzer, consisting of several parts:

• peripheral;
• conductive;
• central.

Most mammals and reptiles have a main (mucosal part in the upper part of the nasal cavity) and an additional (vomeronasal, or Jacobson's organ) peripheral parts of the olfactory system. It is generally accepted that the main part of the peripheral part of the olfactory analyzer is responsible for the predominant perception of gases in the air, while the additional part is responsible for the perception of compounds dissolved in liquids. To date, there is no data on the functioning of the accessory organ in humans. The smell is thus perceived by the main part.

The composition of the peripheral part of the olfactory analyzer includes:

• nostrils;
• ethmoid bone;
• nasal cavity;
• olfactory epithelium (a thin layer of tissue covered with mucus and lining the nasal cavity).

The olfactory epithelium of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity consists of olfactory glands, olfactory neurons and nerve fibers of the olfactory nerves. Smell molecules, due to which it is identified, can enter the nasal cavity both through the nostrils when inhaling (smell) and through the throat when the tongue pumps air during swallowing (retro-nasal smell). In the nasal cavity, the molecules of the substance are dissolved in the mucus covering the olfactory epithelium.

The innervation of the main part of the peripheral part of the analyzer is carried out not only by the olfactory, but also by the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for the reaction to aggressive compounds such as ammonia or acid.

In the course of a number of studies, it was found that when breathing through two nostrils, the memory for smells lasts longer than when one of the nasal passages is blocked.

The conductive part is of great importance, since it is used to transfer information from the peripheral part of the olfactory analyzer to the central one. So, in the olfactory neurons of the receptor cells of the epithelium, which are responsible for the identification of odor molecules, an electrical impulse occurs, which is transmitted through the conductive nerve fibers to the brain.

The central department of the olfactory analyzer is represented by:

• olfactory bulbs, in which there are special cells responsible for the differentiation of odors;
• cerebral cortex (area with localization in the temporal lobe);
• tonsils;
• olfactory tubercle.

In the central section of the olfactory analyzer, located in the cortex, the signals received from the peripheral part are checked, which makes it possible to provide emotional and behavioral reactions.

The tonsils are involved in responses to pheromones, allomones and kairomones - substances of natural origin, produced by special glands and having a significant impact on behavioral responses. It is generally accepted that in animals the reaction to these substances is provided through the vomeronasal organ. At present, against the background of the evolutionary development of the brain, the function of the amygdala has practically no effect on human relationships.

The olfactory tubercle is in contact with a significant surface of the amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus, brain stem, retina, auditory cortex.

The hippocampus plays an important role in the fixation of memories, through which almost all information about the received smells passes. However, the memory center, which stores most of the information about the smell, is the anterior olfactory nucleus.

A person's perception of smells consists not only of a dry interpretation of the stimulus (molecules from the air, dissolved in a sufficient amount of mucus), but also of the renewal of life experience and emotions associated with the sensations received. Smells can cause strong emotional reactions.

So, when conducting surveys that assess a person's reaction to a smell (by type of likes and dislikes), it was found that most of the answers are based on existing emotional associations.

The association of scents that can be considered the best scents to enhance your mood and, therefore, to use them as a perfume, is determined by the limbic system - the most ancient and primitive part of the brain, which is the place responsible for emotions. Sensations from odors are transmitted to the cerebral cortex, where there is a conscious evaluation of the sensations received, which is secondary.

Thus, by the time we can name a scent we know, such as "mint", the limbic system is already activated and has launched a cascade of emotional experiences. That is, a person is not only aware of what caused this or that smell, but also experiences subconscious experiences that have both positive and negative effects on the mood and well-being of a particular individual.

The Best Smells to Boost Your Mood

It is quite difficult to single out the best positive smells that can cheer up all people. First of all, this is due to the fact that the emotions associated with this or that aroma are extremely individual, as they are associated with specific memories and associations.

So, in one of the studies conducted by foreign scientists, the question was asked "What are your favorite smells?". In this case, many unpleasant odors were provided as an experiment, including gasoline and sweat, although there were also aromas of flowers. As a result, the subjects did not equally divide odors into pleasant and unpleasant, which can be explained by different life experiences and conditions in which they encountered one or another aroma.

However, in this experiment, it was found that the best smells, which people give the highest ratings to, are those that are easily recognized by them. So, most often in perfumery you can find the use of the smell of vanilla, which most people regard as a pleasant aroma. Also, this smell has been used for quite a long time for psychological experiments.

In this regard, many marketers try to help a person accurately identify the fragrance used in a particular perfume. This is done using various images and bottle shapes.

Perfume is a mixture of aromatic essential oils or aromatic compounds, fixatives and solvents used to create pleasant scents. ancient texts and archaeological excavations show the use of perfume in some of the earliest human civilizations. The word perfume means "to smoke through". Perfumery, as an art, appeared in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, after which it was constantly improved by the Romans and Persians, but only natural substances were used to create pleasant aromas. The development of modern perfumery began in the 19th century, when commercial organizations began to widely produce such aromatic compounds as vanillin and coumarin, which made it possible to obtain aromas that were previously unattainable using only natural odors.

Currently, the use of perfume is an integral part of the image of a person, the main purpose of which is to have a positive impact on others. It is no secret to anyone that a person who emits an unpleasant smell (sweat, cigarettes, alcohol, unclean clothes) causes a corresponding impression.

While there is strong evidence that pleasant smells can improve our mood and sense of well-being, some of these findings should be viewed with caution. So, in one of the experiments, the researchers found that the mention of a smell that is positive for a particular individual, in combination with its use, significantly reduces negative emotions and improves overall well-being. At the same time, if this smell is associated in another individual with negative experiences (for example, psycho-emotional trauma), the effect of the aroma can be exactly the opposite.

More reliable results were obtained in an experiment using a placebo (the patient was told about this or that smell, although in fact a different one was used). These studies have shown that although subjects react positively to some extent to the mention of a pleasant smell, the effect of actually using it is much greater. The thought of a pleasant scent may be enough to make a person more cheerful, but the actual smell has a more pronounced effect.

Even though the ability to perceive smells decreases with age, pleasant scents have been found to have a positive effect on mood in all age groups.

In experiments with stimulation of the left and right nasal passages with pleasant and unpleasant odors, the researchers found differences in the activity of neurons in the olfactory cortex in the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which correlate with the "pleasantness" of these odors. These studies have shown that positive emotions are predominantly handled by the left hemisphere of the brain, while negative emotions are more often processed by the right hemisphere.

The positive emotional effects caused by pleasant smells also influence how we perceive other people. Foreign scientists conducted research to study the dependence of a person's smell on the development of sympathy for him. If a person is unusually beautiful or very ugly, then the scent does not affect our judgment. But if a person is just “average”, a pleasant smell can cause positive emotions in his attitude.

Unfortunately, such a property of pleasant smells as an uplifting mood is far from always used for disinterested purposes. So, due to positive perception and positive emotions, pleasant aromas can cloud a person's judgment. In an experiment conducted at a Las Vegas casino, the amount of money people began to lose at a slot machine increased by more than 45% when a combination of pleasant smells was used at the place of play.

In another study involving regular people testing shampoos, a hair wash product that ranked last in terms of its target characteristics ranked first when the experiment was repeated after its scent was changed. On a second try, the participants already noted that the shampoo was easier to wash their hair, that it washed off better, and that the hair became shinier after using it. Although, in fact, the manufacturer only changed the smell.

It is also not uncommon to find the use of the best appetizing scents such as pastry, cream, barbecue, grilled ham in snack bars and small restaurants, as it increases the income of the establishment and is legal. This phenomenon is due to the fact that a person, upon meeting with appetite-stimulating aromas, subconsciously prepares for a meal, which becomes the reason for buying a slightly larger amount of food than previously planned.

However, even if the smell causes pleasant emotions, you should know the measure and not overdo it with the amount of perfume.

Many people wonder what should be the "home" smell in the apartment. As a rule, first of all, under the apartment, most people understand the place to which they return every day after a difficult day associated with emotional experiences and mental stress. In this regard, each person wants to feel comfort when returning to their home, as this greatly helps to restore strength.

Thus, the "home" smell in the apartment is one of the most affordable means to achieve comfort in your own home. However, due to the fact that all households can have quite diverse preferences, the smell should be perceived by all people living in the apartment.

Often, when trying to achieve a pleasant "home" smell in the apartment, many housewives can go too far with the severity of the effect. In such situations, the smell begins to have a sharp, pronounced character and can not only not lead to a positive effect, but also be a source of irritability, distractibility and bad mood.

In addition, the "home" smell in the apartment should vary according to the room in which people will spend time. So, in the kitchen, it is most preferable to use the smell of tea or coffee, in the hallway - the smell of fir, and in the bedroom, pleasant, mild aromas that do not lead to excitation of the central nervous system will be most suitable. However, these recommendations are relative, since each person must determine for himself what kind of aroma he will encounter every evening.

How does the smell of flowers affect women

Few people thought about why flowers have a pleasant smell. This is primarily due to the need of these plants for pollination by insects, which are attracted both by bright color (for flowers blooming during the day) and by smell (especially for flowers blooming at night). Although, not all flowers have a pleasant aroma. So, there are a number of plants that use an unpleasant odor as a defense.

It is no secret to anyone that women, in most cases, are supposed to give bouquets of flowers during festive events. Nowadays it has nothing to do with how flowers look or smell. Much more important is this gesture as a manifestation of attention to a particular woman. In addition, the right choice of flowers is often able to win over the fair sex, and therefore the choice of a bouquet should be approached with special responsibility.

And yet, one cannot detract from the influence that the pleasant smell of flowers has on the emotions of the fair sex. In this regard, most often, as a gift, women receive roses, lavender, jasmine, lily of the valley, lilies, mimosas, peonies and daffodils, which have a pleasant aroma.

The pleasant smell of flowers has found wide application in perfumery. Yes, back in Ancient Egypt much attention was paid to the lotus, using it as a source of pleasant aromas in the room, clothing and even food.

An unpleasant smell is as much a source of negative emotions as a pleasant one is a source of positive ones. Since the hippocampus, which is one of the oldest structures of the brain, is responsible for the emotional coloring, it can be said that the negative sensations caused by an unpleasant odor developed in the process of evolution and should have warned living beings about possible danger.

So, such harmful substances as ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, combustion products and gasoline have an unpleasant odor. With prolonged inhalation of substances that are the source of this odor, there is a high probability of developing adverse complications. This is used by some animals that use odors unpleasant to other species to scare off enemies.

And yet, hazardous substances do not always have an unpleasant odor. So, there are a large number of odorless compounds that have heavy impact on the body (carbon monoxide).

What diseases lead to impaired odor perception

First of all, if the sense of smell is disturbed, one should think about local damage to the olfactory organ (allergic rhinitis, atopy, bronchial asthma, sinusitis, polyposis). This is due to the large amount of air passing through the nasal cavity, and therefore it can cause both acute infectious diseases and allergic processes. The mechanism of impaired odor perception in this case is associated, as a rule, not only with mucosal edema, which is accompanied by a decrease in ventilation of the nasal cavity, but also with an increase in the amount of mucus produced, which disrupts the normal operation of the receptor apparatus.

The cause of the violation of smell can be various diseases:

• with damage to the nervous system (Alzheimer's disease, Bell's palsy, epilepsy, head trauma, Korsakov's syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease);
• with systemic disorders (cancer, chronic renal failure, liver disease, vitamin B12 deficiency);
• with endocrine disorders (adrenal cortex insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, panhypopituitarism, Cushing's syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, Kalman's syndrome, Turner's syndrome);
• with infectious etiology (acute, flu-like diseases).

Sense of smell is manifested by a change in the perception of smells. This may be due to damage to any of the departments of the olfactory analyzer.

Smell disorders include:

• anosmia (inability to perceive odors);
• dyssomnia (the smell does not match the real one);
• hypersomnia (abnormal, heightened response to smell);
• hyposomnia (unnecessarily low reaction to smell);
• parasomnias (things smell differently than they actually are, which is manifested by a perversion of smell);
• phantosmia (olfactory hallucinations).

Separately allocate mental disorder called olfactory syndrome. In this condition, a person is afraid of becoming a source of an unpleasant odor.

Is life possible without smell?

The condition when a person is unable to perceive odors is called anosmia. It can be either temporary (during illness) or permanent (after injury). This condition leads to a large number of diseases that affect both the peripheral and central sections of the analyzers.

Sometimes it is possible to develop unilateral anosmia, as a rule, with a minor head injury. If smells are not perceived from birth, they speak of congenital anosmia.

As a rule, existence without the perception of smells is not accompanied by a significant decrease in the quality of life. However, it cannot be said that the decrease in smell passes without a trace. So, if a person cannot perceive smells, the perception of appetite changes.

Often, when the functioning of the body is disturbed, various odors occur, the cause of which can be both external and internal factors. As a rule, the elimination of the underlying disease leads to the elimination of discomfort.

Smell from the mouth

Bad breath is called halitosis and occurs in almost a quarter of the adult population of the planet. In rare cases, psychogenic halitosis may occur, which is based on a violation of mental processes, which is manifested by a false sensation of an unpleasant odor in the oral cavity.

Breath odor is an important factor in how people interact with others. So, an unpleasant aroma from the oral cavity can cause sharply negative emotions in the interlocutor and make it difficult to conduct a conversation. As a result, the person experiencing these problems becomes embarrassed and less confident. As a rule, in most cases, a person does not notice the smell until the reaction of others becomes noticeable.

Thus, bad breath can cause a significant reduction in the quality of life and lead to problems in communicating with friends, as well as employees at work. In most cases, people try to overcome this problem with chewing gum, but this can not always eliminate the root cause of the pathology.

Causes of bad breath can be related to:

• improper use of oral hygiene products;
• violation of hygienic measures of the oral cavity;
• smoking;
• caries;
• diseases of the digestive tract;
• wrong diet.

Sometimes an unusual smell from the mouth can indicate significant metabolic disorders. So, an example is the appearance of the smell of acetone in diabetes.

The smell of sweat does not always occur. So, sweating is present in all people and is a protective reaction of the body, providing, along with the regulation of vascular tone, a balance between heat transfer and heat production.

Violation of sweating can be accompanied by both an increase and a decrease in the amount of sweat. With a decrease in the amount of sweat produced, there is a significant increase in the likelihood of developing hyperthermia. At the same time, with the development of conditions accompanied by an increase in sweating, in most cases there is a smell of sweat. Also, its occurrence may be associated with a violation of the rules of personal hygiene during normal sweating. It is based on the activity of microorganisms, the death of which causes an unpleasant odor.

When the smell of sweat appears, a person, in most cases, feels it himself. As a rule, this is accompanied by a feeling of pronounced discomfort and leads to a decrease in confidence, feelings. Also, due to the fact that this smell is often felt by others, it can cause ridicule, which also leads to a violation of the patient's social life.

Causes of sweat odor may be related to:

• high emotionality;
• fever (for various diseases of both infectious and non-infectious nature);
• hormonal disorders (menopause, hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma).

In general, addressing the root cause of excessive sweating, combined with regular clothing changes (preferring natural materials such as cotton and leather, rather than synthetics), will eliminate strong odors.

Strong foot odor

Normally, the smell from the feet is not felt both by the person himself and by those around him. However, with increased sweating of the lower extremities, which can be in closed shoes for several hours a day (boots, sneakers, sneakers, boots), against the background of high humidity and temperature (above room temperature), favorable conditions are created for the development of microflora.

As a rule, a strong smell from the feet can be the result of:

• wearing low-quality shoes (which is associated with impaired ventilation of the skin of the lower extremities);
• irregular hygiene procedures (which consists in daily washing of the feet);
• improper shoe care (which causes the accumulation of microorganisms in shoes);
• fungal infections of the skin (which, against the background of violations of the water-salt balance, causes the reproduction of harmful microorganisms on its surface).

A strong smell from the feet can spoil the mood not only for the patient, but also for others in the same room. Also, often the increased humidity inside the shoes, due to excessive sweating, causes severe discomfort.

As a rule, in order to eliminate strong foot odor, it is enough to start treatment with good hygiene. However, if this does not help, the root cause of the unpleasant odor should be identified and eliminated. Currently, there are also special devices with which you can disinfect shoes.

Strong smell of urine

Urine is formed as a result of filtration of blood plasma in the kidneys, where it is concentrated and subsequently accumulated in the bladder, after which it is released during urination. Normally, urine does not have a strong odor. As a rule, the color can vary from transparent to yellow, which is determined by its concentration.

When a person notices that the urine has a pungent odor, you should definitely pay attention to this. If this is not associated with the intake of a specific food (having a pungent odor), as well as rare trips to the toilet, it may be necessary to seek the advice of a specialist.

Causes of a strong smell of urine can be associated with:

• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• diabetes mellitus and other diseases with metabolic disorders (phenylketonuria, trimethylaminuria, leucinosis and others).

Infectious lesions of the genitourinary system can cause serious complications. So, most often there is a lesion of the lower parts of the urinary system (cystitis) in women, which is associated with a shorter and wider urethra than in men. With the upward spread of the infection, pyelonephritis often develops, which can cause kidney dysfunction.

Thus, the strong smell of urine is an important signal that should not be ignored. This symptom is especially important in children, since it can often be associated with genetically determined metabolic disorders.

Since ancient times, the sense of smell has been one of the most important senses, helping animals to recognize the danger with little or no contact with harmful compounds. Even now, despite the small role of smell in people's lives, the ability to perceive smells can be useful.

Smell of tap water

Drinking water must be odorless. A person needs water to ensure the normal functioning of the body, and therefore he needs regular intake of liquids with food. However, the main source of water in modern city is the city's water supply system. It provides purification and delivery of water to the dwelling of every city dweller.

However, unfortunately, water is not always High Quality. And, the most striking sign of its unsuitability for use, along with a changed color, is the unpleasant smell of water. Its occurrence can be associated both with the ingress of harmful compounds during its delivery to the dwelling, and with insufficient water treatment.

Most often, an unpleasant smell of water can be caused by:

• decaying plants;
• fungi and mold;
• glandular and sulfurous bacteria;
• metal impurities (iron, manganese, copper and zinc);
• table salt;
• industrial waste;
• chlorine.

As a rule, if the smell of water attracts attention strongly, you should refrain from eating it and take measures to clean it up, as well as determine the cause of the smell. So, if the smell was the result of poor quality water treatment, this is the reason for contacting the company responsible for the water supply of the dwelling.

The appearance of the smell of rotten fish, as a rule, cannot but draw the attention of a person. This smell has a specific, pronounced character and causes serious discomfort.

In most cases, the unpleasant smell of fish is associated with diseases of the genital organs in men and women. As a rule, women are most often affected. In them, the appearance of a fishy odor is in most cases associated with bacterial vaginosis, although it can be caused by a number of diseases that affect the genital mucosa.

In men, the smell of fish from the genital tract can be associated with gardnerellosis, a sexually transmitted infectious disease that affects the genitals. Also, almost always with this cause of the development of symptoms, itching and pathological discharge from the urethra are observed.

In children, the smell of fish can be caused by such a rare hereditary, genetically determined disease - trimethylaminuria. With this disease, there is a violation of the metabolism of trimethylamine, due to which it accumulates in the blood with the development of a toxic effect.

What to do if you smell gas

Household gas, used by people for apartment heating and cooking, can be found in almost any dwelling. It can be stored both in special cylinders (usually in summer cottages and industrial facilities), and delivered through the gas pipeline system (in most cases). Most often, propane is used in domestic conditions, which by nature is an odorless gas, that is, even at high concentrations of this substance in the air, a person will not feel it. In this regard, for safety reasons, a special additive is added to propane, which has a specific smell.

This is done with the aim that a person, having smelled the gas, could take a number of measures aimed at preventing its leakage. First of all, this is due to the fact that with a high concentration of domestic gas in a closed room, even a small spark can cause an explosion with the development of catastrophic consequences (both fire and the collapse of the building and the development of an emergency).

There is an algorithm of actions that should be performed if a person smells gas. So, it follows:

• close the valves of gas sources;
• provide ventilation of the room;
• call the emergency service;
• ensure the evacuation of yourself and your neighbors.

If you smell gas, you should avoid open flames, smoking and running electrical appliances (TV, incandescent lamps). Thus, the ability to perceive smells can be a life-saver.

Due to the large number of inconveniences that unpleasant odors cause, treatment is a must to restore the quality of life to its original level. In some cases, therapeutic measures aimed at eliminating the underlying disease are carried out by the patient only to get rid of an unpleasant odor, since other symptoms may disturb a person to a much lesser extent.

With the appearance of bad breath, treatment should be comprehensive. First of all, an examination should be carried out by a dentist for diseases of the oral cavity. If there are no problems there, a wider examination is carried out with a study of the state of other upper parts of the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum).

Sexually transmitted diseases are a major problem modern society. In this regard, in most cases, specialist advice and qualified treatment is required for the smell of fish, especially if its source is the genital tract.

Any smell that exists in nature can have a great impact on a person: his mood, perception of the world around him, well-being and even health. This fact has been known since ancient times, and even after many years, fragrances still play an important role in the lives of each of us.

A few interesting facts:

The sense of smell is a very fast human sense and almost instantly transmits information to the brain. At the same time, the human nose has a high sensitivity and is able to distinguish a huge number of all kinds of odors;

Modern scientists have developed special tables by which you can find out which smell improves mood, and which one can help get rid of an unpleasant headache;

Many years ago it was noticed that there are people with hypersensitivity and those who perceive even unpleasant odors absolutely calmly;

Aromatherapy knowledge has been accumulating almost since the dawn of mankind. At that time, there were not so many connoisseurs of various smells, and ordinary people considered real professionals to be magicians and wizards. Such people could easily find out the origin of this or that aroma, as well as determine the nature and extent of its impact on human consciousness;

The sense of smell plays a huge role in the life of each of us. It is associated with our emotions, impressions, protective functions, and sometimes unpredictable reactions of the body. Sometimes one single fragrance can bring dramatic changes to our lives, filling it with both positive and negative emotions.

Relationship between aromas and moods

Each of us breathes in many different smells every day. We single out for ourselves our favorite and unloved aromas - we want to enjoy some of them all the time, while others we try to exclude from our everyday life as much as possible. All existing fragrances can be divided into separate groups, which have a certain impact on the well-being and mood of a person.

Mandarin, rosemary, cinnamon, cedar, patchouli make us cheerful, cheerful, active and energetic. Lavender, almond, thyme and jasmine give a feeling of lightness and euphoria, having a calming effect on the nervous system. Ginger, bergamot, cinnamon, ylang-ylang make us sensitive and excitable, while frankincense and myrrh fill us with inner harmony and tranquility.

At the same time, there are a number of odors in nature that are repulsive, cause negative associations, and are even perceived by humans as a threat (for example, the smell of smoke during a fire, or the smell of gas during a leak). Their impact on the mood and well-being of a person is absolutely opposite - they provoke the manifestation of depression, irritability, depression, a feeling of dissatisfaction.

Health and aromatherapy

Since ancient times, aromatherapy has been used to cure many ailments and increase overall vitality. With the help of essential oils, they got rid of various diseases; Hippocrates, Galen and other famous healers resorted to such methods. AT modern world Aromatherapy is used for the following purposes:

Relaxation;

Excitations;

uplifting mood;

Prevention of cardiovascular diseases;

Stimulation of the internal organs and tissues of the body;

positive changes emotional state person;

Improvement of metabolic processes;

Increased efficiency and mental activity;

Fighting depression;

Treatment of colds;

Removal of inflammation and treatment of skin ailments;

Prevention of health and general well-being.

So, to increase efficiency, the smells of verbena, ginger, juniper, tea tree and sage are suitable. The aroma of lemon, lavender, orange, eucalyptus and musk oils will help to improve mood and relieve fatigue. If you need to focus on something important, help will come the smell of cloves, neroli, nutmeg or rosemary.

The role of aromas in communication

Scent and communication in the social world are inseparable concepts and often dependent on each other. For example, some smells can affect the result of communication between business partners. The desired effect is achieved by spraying certain fragrances in the room just before an important meeting. So, the aroma of rose petals can make the interlocutors soft and pliable, and the energetic splashes of lemon scatter the attention of the participants in the conversation.

A walk in the fresh air, during which you can enjoy the smells of the spring forest or the purity of the sea, sets you in a calm and peaceful mood. Natural aromas contribute to the development of spiritual conversation, helping each participant to open up and become more sincere towards the interlocutor.

In many European countries, there have long been trends in the perfume industry that are aimed at creating fragrant bouquets for certain institutions: cafes, shops, hotels, restaurants, etc. The main goal of this innovation is to attract as many customers as possible with the help of specific smells and improve communication with them.

Perfumes in everyday life

The term "perfumery" can be interpreted as the use of various aromatic substances that fill the air in a room with a certain smell. From time immemorial, various magical rituals and worship services have been held with the obligatory burning of incense. Today, smells play an equally important role in the life of every person, causing vivid feelings and emotions in each of us. The brain is even capable of associating certain memories with certain smells and recalling them when given the chance.

In modern perfumery, there are a huge number of fragrances that have a truly magical effect on human consciousness. Some of them inflame sexuality and cause attraction to the opposite sex, others awaken you from a night's sleep and set you on a wave of positive, others cause a feeling of inner peace and tranquility. Such a variety of compositions is able to satisfy the needs of any perfume gourmet, giving him complete freedom of choice and desires.