Inhale these scents. Cheers!

The health benefits of aromatherapy are immense. Scents reduce stress levels, improve mental and physical performance, soothe pain, treat insomnia, and even aid weight loss. Discover the scents that can help you. Smell is more precise than taste Did you know that the human sense of smell can detect thousands of aromas? Did you know that it is 10,000 times more precise than our sense of taste? How is this even possible? Millions of olfactory receptors We have millions of receptors in our noses. When they detect an odor, they transmit information to the olfactory bulb, which sorts it and transports it to the limbic system. This part of the brain, in turn, manages our memories and emotions—primary ones, such as those related to food, as well as secondary ones, responsible for pleasure and sexual arousal. Want to know how to harness the potential of your sense of smell? Here are the best scents to help boost your memory, mood, energy, and libido.

Green apple

A scent you love can help you control your appetite. In one study, Dr. Alan Hirsch, founder of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, had overweight people smell bananas, green apples , and mint. He observed greater weight loss than those who didn't inhale these scents. Our tip: keep your favorite fragrance with you in a handy bottle and when you feel like eating, try smelling the aroma instead of reaching for a snack.

Orange or lavender

Austrian researchers diffused the scent of orange in front of one group of volunteers and the scent of lavender in front of another. Compared to people who were not exposed to either aroma, both groups were calmer, experienced less anxiety, and viewed the world with brighter colors. Tip: Have a stressful day at work ahead of you? Diffuse a few drops of orange or lavender oil into the air.

Rosemary

Researchers from Northumbria University in the UK exposed 48 students to rosemary oil. These students outperformed the control group on memory tests. They were more alert and attentive throughout the experiment. Tip: Get yourself a plant. Every time you sit down to study or need to memorize something, pick a rosemary leaf and smell it.

Lavender or peppermint

Seeking an alternative to pain medication, doctors at a New York hospital administered lavender oil to patients undergoing laparoscopy (through a mask they wore throughout the procedure). These patients were given morphine significantly less frequently and required fewer painkillers during their recovery. Peppermint also helps. Studies have confirmed that it relieves headaches, and its refreshing scent is as effective as paracetamol. Tip: If you have a headache, try inhaling a few drops of lavender or peppermint oil on a tissue.

Pink grapefruit

This fresh, citrus scent can influence how someone perceives their age. When volunteers viewed photographs of 20 models after being exposed to the scent of pink grapefruit , they perceived them as three years younger. If you want to rejuvenate yourself , buy yourself grapefruit perfume.

Mint

Scientific studies have shown that mint vapors motivated basketball players, boosting their energy and confidence. Some athletes use mint inhalers. Reebok, for its part, recently launched sports bras with a mint scent. Therefore, if you want to revitalize yourself, take a few breaths of the scent of this plant.

Lavender

There's a reason people stuffed pillows with lavender flowers . Researchers have shown that lavender increases the intensity of slow-wave sleep. Lavender flowers also help with insomnia. For this reason, spray lavender oil on the headboard of your bed just before bed .