Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function - PubMed (original) (raw)

Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function

Janice K Kiecolt-Glaser et al. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2008 Apr.

Abstract

Despite aromatherapy's popularity, efficacy data are scant, and potential mechanisms are controversial. This randomized controlled trial examined the psychological, autonomic, endocrine, and immune consequences of one purported relaxant odor (lavender), one stimulant odor (lemon), and a no-odor control (water), before and after a stressor (cold pressor); 56 healthy men and women were exposed to each of the odors during three separate visits. To assess the effects of expectancies, participants randomized to the "blind" condition were given no information about the odors they would smell; "primed" individuals were told what odors they would smell during the session, and what changes to expect. Experimenters were blind. Self-report and unobtrusive mood measures provided robust evidence that lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood compared to water and lavender regardless of expectancies or previous use of aromatherapy. Moreover, norepinephrine levels following the cold pressor remained elevated when subjects smelled lemon, compared to water or lavender. DTH responses to Candida were larger following inhalation of water than lemon or lavender. Odors did not reliably alter IL-6 and IL-10 production, salivary cortisol, heart rate or blood pressure, skin barrier repair following tape stripping, or pain ratings following the cold pressor.

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Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

Time line for experimental participation during each of the three GCRC sessions.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d

Differences in one self-report and three unobtrusive mood measures as a function of odor condition. Baseline-adjusted mean (± SEM) changes in self-reported positive affect on the PANAS as a function of time and odor (2a) showed the greatest difference immediately following the first odor application. Subjects showed greater recovery following the stressor when smelling lemon compared to lavender or water as reflected in baseline-adjusted mean (± SEM) interference in responses to negative emotion words on the Stroop (2b). The differences in mean (± SEM) positive and negative emotion word use in thought listings were greater on the days when subjects smelled lemon or lavender than the day they smelled water (2c). IAPS picture valence ratings from the screening session were significantly lower for lavender and water compared to lemon (2d).

Figure 3

Figure 3

Baseline-adjusted mean (± SEM) norepinephrine levels from pre-odor exposure through the end of the admission as a function of odor exposure.

Figure 4

Figure 4

Baseline-adjusted mean (± SEM) diastolic blood pressure from pre-odor exposure through the end of the admission as a function of odor exposure. This marginal time by odor interaction, _p_=.07, shows that blood pressure decreased from post tape-stripping to post cold pressor when subjects received lavender and increased when they receiving lemon or water.

Figure 5

Figure 5

Baseline-adjusted mean (± SEM) heart rate from pre-odor exposure through the end of the admission as a function of expectancy group assignment.

Figure 6

Figure 6

Mean (± SEM) of the maximum DTH measurement for each odor at 24, 48, or 72 hours after the GCRC session.

Figures 7a, 7b

Figures 7a, 7b

Baseline-adjusted mean (± SEM) changes in PHA (6a) and Con A (6b) related to both odor exposure and expectancy group assignment. The values shown are means of responses to the 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 μg/ml concentrations.

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