THE SCIENCE BEHIND ESSENTIAL OILS: WHAT THE HYPOTHALAMUS BELIEVES TO BE TRUE

Why Oils, you ask?

You may be wondering how and why essential oils aid in improving your level of fitness.  I strongly believe they are an integral piece of one’s holistic fitness and once you start you will too!

Do you realize how potent and powerful these oils are?  You will, once you give them their space to perform.

 Let’s begin with the science behind it all.  Science rocks me to the core. There is no doubting science.  The Hypothalamus, a part of the brain is the “control and command centre of the brain”.  It is here that mental thoughts and emotions convert into hundreds of different types of ligands.  These are binding chemicals, “messenger molecules” that send information to cells to influence the cell’s development and function.  These ligands are divided into two types. The first type is the endogenous ligand. An example would be serotonin that is produced in the body and can have an impact on emotions.  The second type is exogenous. Essential oils are examples of exogenous ligands. These are substances introduced into the body and can have an impact on emotions.  

What the hypothalamus “believes to be true” determines what the “factory” produces and chemical production ensues. Here is the bottom line: EMOTIONS TRIGGER CELL ACTIVITY!

Scents have the power to actually change nervous system biochemistry.  Want a “chemical hit”?  

What if we could use this knowledge to choose the mood we want to feel and then actually feel it without harmful substances or recreational drugs?

What if we could think of a desired mood and then choose to use a healthful exogenous ligand that is capable of creating it? With essential oils we have the ability to direct our own EMOTIONAL TRAFFIC!

The brain’s response is determined by the aroma that is introduced and the information it conveys.  Rather than feeling victimized by our emotional state, what if we had our own apothecary of essential oils in our homes?  Such a collection offers a cornucopia of emotional states for ready access! You can completely trick the brain and when one engages in behaviour change, like setting the foundation for new habits in relation to exercise and nutrition this affords us an advantage to help ensure we are successful and sticking to our new patterns of behaviour.

You will not be disappointed with essential oils regardless of the method of use (aromatic, topical or internal).  They are potent and powerful blessings to incorporate into your wellness routines. Oil up warriors!