To give you an idea of how directly connected the sense of smell is to emotions, only two synapses (connections between nerve cells where they transfer messages one to another) separate the olfactory nerve from the amygdala, which is involved in experiencing emotion and also in emotional memory (Herz & Engen, 1996).
In addition, only three synapses separate the olfactory nerve from the hippocampus, which is implicated in memory, especially working memory and short-term memory.
Olfaction is the sensory modality that is physically closest to the limbic system, of which the hippocampus and amygdala are a part, and which is responsible for emotions and memory.
It is published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics that we can observe three reactions in anyone engaged in smelling a fragrance:
- A blank stare;
- A change in breathing rhythm;
- A sudden immobilization of the body;
The brain stops all its conscious activities for a fraction of a second to process the fragrance. Tantrum 911, however takes this a step further. It is the only fragrance that can stop most tantrums because it is the only blend that can also trigger activity at the deep level of the limbic system.
Your child or anyone for that matter, regardless of age, as he or she smells the fragrance we put together for you in Tantrum 911, undergoes a phenomenon akin to a re-boot. He or she gets a chance to forget what was causing him/her distress and re-gains control of his/her emotional state.
The oil carrier for Tantrum911 is safe, the same you find in fragrance diffusers and any other fragrant product out there. The fragrance blend should cause no allergic reaction. However, if you have any concern whatsoever, simply remember to follow the warning on the label and avoid direct contact with the skin, just as you would with a fragrance diffuser.
There are additional benefits to pleasurable olfactory stimulation, or in other words, smelling something you like. For example, did you know that smelling something nice boosted your brain’s dopamine level by close to 100% almost instantly and that this effect could last anywhere from 1 to 3 hours?
Dopamine is a brain chemical and it is in charge of:
- Movement
- Motivation
- Good Mood
- Pleasure
- Memory
The implications, and the scope of this effect on the brain by simply taking a few inhalations of a pleasurable fragrance are many. For example, you could use it as a replacement for stimulants such as coffee or tea. You could use this technique to help enhance your ability to learn by impacting your ability to focus and remember.
It is clear that we are depriving ourselves of many opportunities to stimulate the sense of smell. Perhaps many of the learning difficulties could be due to a lack of attention given to this god-given ability.