With doctors and psychiatrists struggling to meet the demands for psychiatric help across America, mental health has taken the back burner and more people are in need more than ever. With no one else to turn to for help, it’s up to us to self-diagnose and perform treatments for the mental disorders we might be experiencing.
You might think medications would serve as a viable solution to depression, but that’s not always the case. Anti-depressants often are accompanied by adverse side effects and have the tendency to make the conditions worse.
Luckily, with aromatherapy, there is no need for doctor visits or expensive medications to help treat mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder because aromatherapy with essential oils has been scientifically proven to help elevate your mood while alleviating symptoms of mental disorders. Here’s how.
How Do Essential Oils Work for Mental Disorders?
Biologically speaking, the nerve cells in our nose detect and trigger an impulse to the brain through the olfactory nerve, which connects to the olfactory bulb. The bulb examines the impulse and conveys the information of the smell to different areas of the brain known as the limbic system.
The limbic system is an essential part of the brain that helps control emotions, pain, mood, pleasure and behavior, which in return affects our emotional responses in the form of sadness, happiness, fear, attraction and so on. This makes essential oils extremely effective as the scents they release can directly affect the limbic system and positively affect our memory and emotional response.
So, whether you are new to aromatherapy or just wanting to find new scents to add to your collection, here are a couple of scents that’ll not only make your home smell good but also uplift even the most skeptical.
List of Uplifting Essential Oils for Mental Disorders
1. Jasmine Essential Oil
Jasmine essential oil has a calming and mildly sedative effect allowing it to help alleviate anxiousness, relieve stress and ease depression. Aside from that, jasmine oil has the ability to stimulate the brain, promote a feeling of self-confidence and help uplift your mood.
According to a study conducted in 2010, Jasmine oil can be just as effective as the popular anti-anxiety drug Valium when overcoming anxiety and stress.
2. Lavender Essential Oil
One of the more popular essential oil scents, lavender oil has the ability to help combat depression, alleviate insomnia and relieve anxiety.
A study was conducted on those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is directly linked to depression. Lavender oil proved to be incredibly beneficial when used on a consistent basis, helped decrease depression by 32.7 percent and helped regulate sleep and improve mood in 47 participating patients struggling with PTSD.
3. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Ylang Ylang is known to help regulate hormonal imbalances, which is especially important considering unbalanced hormones are known to cause mood swings, depression and irritability. This oil is also mildly sedative, which can promote calmness and lower stress levels.
A study conducted in 2006 proved the use of ylang-ylang oil in aromatherapy can result in a “relief of depression and stress in humans.”
4. Patchouli Essential Oil
Patchouli essential oil is an exceptional mood-elevating oil that can help decrease feelings of sadness and hopelessness, the reason being is because patchouli oil has the ability to release both serotonin and dopamine hormones that can directly alleviate feelings of depression.
A study conducted in 2015 found that patchouli oil is used to help relieve stress, depression, calms nerves and control appetite.
5. Bergamot Essential Oil
Bergamot oil can help increase energy flow, improve blood circulation and enhance energy levels, which ultimately boosts and uplifts your mood. The reason being is because Bergamot contains limonene and alpha-pinene, which makes it an effective hormone balancer and anti-depressant.
According to a study conducted in 2011, a blend of bergamot and lavender applied to the skin and abdomen of 40 participants lowered their blood pressure and slowed their pulse rates while increasing feelings of relaxation and calmness.
Smell Your Way to Happiness With Essential Oils
Essential oils have been proven to be extremely effective for those struggling with mental disorders. And this is because the aromatic molecules naturally present in essential oils can cross the brain barrier and have a positive impact on the areas of the brain that controls feelings of depression, anxiety and stress.
Essential oils have been deemed safe for everyday use, but essential oils, yet natural is also very powerful. For those who develop allergic reactions easily, it’s best to try a little by performing a skin patch test to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction. If you’re pregnant or nursing or are currently taking any kind of medication, check in with your doctor before using these essential oils.
Quick FAQs
How many drops of essential oil are in 5 milliliters?
Approximately 100 drops are in a 5-milliliter container of essential oil.
How many drops of essential oil can you put in a diffuser?
The usual amount of water placed in an oil diffuser is 100 milliliters. It is recommended to add 3–5 drops of essential oil per 100 milliliters of water.
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