The Scents Code of Emotions

By Ana Elena Sastrias, Natural Aromatherapy Teacher

Do Scents Change Our Minds?

Before exploring how scents influence our emotions, it’s essential to understand what emotions are.

Emotions are strong feelings that arise from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others. They are physical and mental states triggered by neurophysiological changes, linked with thoughts, behaviours, and bodily responses. Emotions are essentially reactions to external or internal events and situations, shaped by the context in which they occur. Research has shown that different scents can evoke a wide range of emotional responses— shifting our moods and feelings in distinct, often powerful ways.

​How do Scents act on our Emotions?
The connection between scent and emotion lies in the biology of our olfactory system and its direct link to the brain. When we inhale, aromatic molecules are captured by the olfactory epithelium, a region inside the nasal cavity that contains 6 to 10 million receptor cells. 
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These cells have tiny hair-like structures called cilia, which are coated in a thin layer of
mucus. This mucus is essential in trapping and transporting the scent molecules.
The olfactory bulb—a structure about 2 to 5 square centimetres in size at the base of the
brain—acts like a computer chip. It receives the information from the olfactory nerves, filters and partially decodes the scent, and passes the signal to the olfactory tract.
From there, the signal travels to several brain areas, including:
• The Amygdala
• The Hippocampus
• The Thalamus
• The Orbitofrontal Cortex
These regions are key components of the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotions.
This is significant: smell is the only sense directly connected to the limbic system, which is why scents have such a strong emotional impact.

The Healing Frequencies of Nature
Natural olfaction gives us access to the vibrational frequencies of raw materials such as rose, jasmine, lavender, rosemary, and frankincense. Each of these plants carries unique energetic properties and healing potential.
• Natural perfumery combines the art of creating aesthetically pleasing fragrances with the therapeutic benefits of natural raw materials.
• Natural aromatherapy uses these materials specifically for healing purposes—to treat physical, emotional, or mental conditions.
Emotions and Aromatherapy
Since ancient civilizations, emotions have been studied and classified. Modern psychology often identifies six core emotions:

• Joy
• Fear
• Sadness
• Anger
• Shame or Disgust
• Surprise
Newer models propose seven or eight core emotions, with subsets branching out from each.  One widely used tool is the Wheel of Emotions, which helps therapists and individuals identify complex emotional states and their interconnections.

Natural aromatherapy has proven to be a valuable complementary therapy for emotions that become imbalanced or toxic—affecting our health, relationships, and mental clarity.
For example:
• Citrus scents (like orange, lemon, bergamot) are associated with joy, warmth, optimism, and confidence. Floral notes (such as rose and Roman chamomile) can reduce anger, frustration, and emotional tension.
• Rosemary enhances alertness and improves memory retention.
• Eucalyptus is used to refresh the space and relieve stress, clear the mind.
• Sandalwood, Cedarwood have grounding properties helping to calm the nerves and increase focus.
These scent-based therapies help individuals focus, rebalance, and reconnect with more harmonious emotional states.

The Future of Emotional Scent Therapy
With the advent of AI, new research is emerging in the field of animal emotions, decoding non-verbal expressions with up to 89% accuracy. This opens up exciting possibilities for understanding emotional communication not just in humans, but across species.
Natural aromatherapists may soon work alongside counselors, psychologists, and even AI systems to address trapped or blocked emotions, supporting individuals in processing and releasing these feelings in a healthy and balanced way.
Natural Perfumotherapy: The Art and Science of Emotional Scents
​Natural Perfumotherapy is a holistic discipline that unites:
• Natural olfaction (how we perceive raw scents)
• Fragrance design from an artistic and aesthetic point of view
• Aromatherapy knowledge to promote emotional and physical healing

This fusion creates a powerful tool for enhancing emotional well-being, expanding the possibilities for how we care for our minds and spirits—one scent at a time.
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If you want to know more about Natural Aromatherapy, enrol for a 4 weeks intensive online course with Ana Elena Sastrias. https://www.teachers-academy.org/learn-natural-aromatherapy.html