Prolonged exposure to essential oil increases grey matter in the brain

A study published in February 2024 has shown that participants who wore scented clothing over a month-long period showed changes to grey matter volume in the brain. 

In this Japanese study, 50 women were divided randomly into two groups: an intervention group and a control group who did not receive scented clothing. The intervention group were asked to apply essential oil of rose, diluted with dipropylene glycol to their clothing once a day. 

Participants in the study underwent MRI brain imaging before and after the 30 day period. 

“The results showed that the intervention increased the gray matter volume (GMV) of the whole brain and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) subregion. On the other hand, the GMV of the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) did not change. This study is the first to show that continuous scent inhalation changes brain structure.”