Blog,  Emotions

Scent Anchoring and Essential Oils

What is scent anchoring?

Scent anchoring is when we store what we smell in our olfactory memory. Some we attach to pleasurable experiences, others with uncomfortable or even traumatic events. When we reencounter the same smells within a few days, months, or years, we may find that they trigger positive or negative reactions to things we associated them with in the past.

We can attach any scent to any event, and essential oils can smell like those same aromas anchored in our olfactory memory and trigger the same responses. As with the stored scents, essential oils may cause people distress, and others may help people break through their trauma or elevate their mood. When using essential oils for relief, it’s always important to listen to your body to determine why you need them and how best to use them.

Two things are at play when a scent is anchored in your olfactory system: your limbic system and your physical body.

  1. If you love the essential oil, it generally triggers an emotional response, not a physical reaction. You love it because it triggers a core memory surrounded by a wonderful smell.
  2. If you crave an essential oil, and you feel like you have to have it right now, that’s a physical reaction. You’re body may be telling you that you need it.

Scent Anchoring and Negative Responses

Some essential oils might trigger a hate response or repulse you or other things. You might have negative memories triggered by certain scents that remind you of sad times. That isn’t the inherent nature of the oils, but they can remind you of times that are unpleasant depending on what memories you have associated them with in the past.
For example, if you had experienced a devastating loss of a loved one who wore lavender, you might start getting angry or sad when you smell lavender now. I used to do that with the color green. While not a scent, it triggered, such horrible memories. I couldn’t stand it for years. Once I dealt with the root of my problem, I was able to tolerate it. I did this by slowly incorporating certain hues a little at a time until I got to the color that repulsed me, and now those feelings are gone.

Healing from Scent Anchoring

On the other hand, using essential oils can snap you out of a dark emotional place by triggering a pleasant memory. Sometimes, PTSD episodes are triggered. Other times, feelings are let out through angry monologues after which the person ends up feeling a cathartic sense of relief.
Anything can be anchored in your memory, but essential oils bring out things you didn’t even know were there and help you come to terms with the pain of them or heal from the pleasure of experiencing them.

ACCORDING TO JEN O’SULLIVAN:

When you have an intense reaction to an essential oil, this is what it means:
~ INTENSE LOVE/DESIRE = Limbic (fond memories and will help with emotions)
~ INTENSE LOVE/CRAVING = Physical Body (somewhere in your body you need this oil to support health)
~ INTENSE HATRED/DISGUST = Don’t use the oil. Trust your gut.
~ INTENSE HATRED/ANGER = Your Emotional Body needs this oil, so use it! 
Whatever you’re struggling with, try an essential oil to help you work through it or to enhance a positive memory or upcoming event.
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Sheri Rose – Educator, Writer, Editor, and Essential Oils Coach – Young Living Brand Partner – Referral # 12488561 https://www.youngliving.com/us/en/referral/12488561 Sheri Rose is an avid reader and writer who enjoys spending time loving on her husband, family, friends, and her three dogs. As an educator, editor/writer, and essential oils coach, Sheri has helped others all her life. She currently studies aromatherapy at the Aromahead Institute and has completed her essential oils coaching certification with Dr. Josh Axe. Essential oils and essential oil products are not just a hobby for her, they are a part of her daily routine, and she loves sharing with others how to use them to create a healthy lifestyle. Overall, Sheri is quirky and kind and compassionate, she works daily to maintain wellness, and she truly cares about the health and wellbeing of others.

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