Olfaction vs Chemicals in the Blood

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Hi

I'm re posting this because I forgot to change the subject (Sorry Butch!)

therefore the links would be lost in the archives without a meaningful

subject to search for.

 

> The links below may help in your quest :-)

>

> http://www.cf.ac.uk/biosi/staff/jacob/index.html

> http://www.cf.ac.uk/biosi/staff/jacob/teaching/sensory/olfEEG.html

 

> http://www.senseofsmell.org/resources/index.php

 

 

I'll try and answer as well this time ;-)

 

> > So I'm still trying to understand the neuro end of the inhalation of

> > eo's. If the molecules of an essential oils are no longer chemical

> > but are transduced into electrical impulses -

 

Lets stop at that point -

The essential oil molecule's are still chemicals - they dont change -

and they are still traveling round the body to be detected in the

blood if we test for them.

What has happened is that on the way in (via the smell mechanism) they

have triggered an electrical response to their presence. A little like

when there is a knock at the door you answer it, but the person

knocking doesnt change when they walk in your house, they just

provoked you to open the door.

Depending on the nature of the molecules different things may happen

once they are over the door step, and this is where it gets

interesting - and subjective.

There is a general rule of thumb as to to how we react to aroma -

rotten things produce revulsion, nice things produce nice feelings.

But within the broad spectrum of rotten-to-nice individuality steps in

- and associated smell memory also muddies and complicates the

picture. How so? Well the first time my Mum ever had garlic she was

sick after the meal, thereafter just the smell of garlic used to make

her feel physically sick....smell association in action.

Returning to EO's, some oils have proven neurological effects. Some

proven stimulating effects, others proven relaxing effects. All have

anecdotal effects (not proven but often claimed to do XYZ). And within

that proven-anecdotal range we also have individual reactions. So now

we have the subjective part to deal with as well!

Basically there is NO hard and fast *rule* of what oil (or scent

molecule of oils) will do what within the body.

Hope this helps a little... :-)

LLx