The sense of smell is the strongest of our five senses. It is tied to emotions and memories. International Flavours and Fragrances Inc (IFF) undertook a research few years ago led by Dr. Craig Warren and Dr. Stephen Warrenburg focusing on the subjective and physiological effects of aromas and fragrances on emotions. This research can be said to play a very important role in the fragrance industry.
The conclusions of the result were as under:
- Fragrance evoked mood changes which are small but are beneficial to the well being
It was identified that odours influenced cognitive processes. Pleasant odours enhanced creative performance, generated more positive evaluations of words and pictures of people and evoked happy memories. It was also identified that unpleasant odours led to unpleasant thoughts and mood stages. - Fragrance can be used to reduce the stress response in humans but its physiological effects on a non-stressed individual are minimal and difficult to measure
The nervous system is divided in central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous system (all other fibres). The peripheral nervous system consists of somatic nervous systems (sensory and motor organs) and autonomic nervous system (internal organs and involuntary muscles). Autonomic nervous system is divided into sympathetic nervous system (flight or fight response) and parasympathetic response (restoration and conservation of body). It was identified that when a normal subject is at rest, the effects of odours on the peripheral nervous system are minimal and difficult to measure. However, for a stressed individual the fragrances have an impact on the complete central nervous system. - Measurement of fragrance evoked mood change by psychological methods is feasible and yields intriguing results
It was identified that there are eight dimensions of the mood factors which are affected by fragrance. The four positive factors are happiness, sensuality, relaxation and stimulation. The four negative factors are irritation, stress, depression and apathy. All the factors together are used for mood profiling. This can also be used as an indicator while manufacturing fragrances. Fragrances which evoke more two or more than two positive factors could be considered more popular than fragrances which evoke only one factor. Fragrances evoking negative factors can be avoided.
DU Organics produces various synthetic aroma chemicals which are used in the fragrance industry. For obtaining more information with respect to the same, visit our website or contact us today!