Cover Mudo Labs have created The Beem, a handheld device that fuses aromachology and acupressure to help individuals master their moods with absolute ease
Mudo Labs have created The Beem, a handheld device that fuses aromachology and acupressure to help individuals master their moods with absolute ease
1 / 1
The intertwining dance of scents and the human psyche is a realm of fascination, where aromas wield the power to unlock the doors of mood, memory and overall wellbeing
Have you ever gotten a whiff of a particular scent that instantly took you back to a specific memory? Or does the smell of lavender or, for some, powdery musk, give you a sense of comfort, calm and warmth?
The intertwining dance of scents and the human psyche is a realm of fascination, where aromas wield the power to unlock the doors of memory and emotion within the brain.
The olfactory system, our internal portal to the world of smells, possesses a direct line from our noses to the limbic system, the epicentre of behavioural and emotional responses. So when we inhale a fragrance, it ignites a symphony of responses: the earthy petrichor smell of rain could make you reminisce an intimate moment from your past; or the sweet, milky scent of coconut might spark a desire to travel to a far-flung beach escape; while the aromas of bright, citrusy grapefruit can instantly uplift the spirits after a long, tiring day.
Long a subject of research in the field of neuroscience, aromachology is the study of how scents and aromas can affect human behaviour, emotions, and well-being. It explores the psychological and emotional impact of fragrances on individuals. Aromachology is often used in areas such as aromatherapy, psychology marketing, and product design to understand how different scents can influence people's moods and behaviours.
Here are four ways to harness the power of aromatherapy, or aromachology, to transform your mood, alleviate stress and anxiety, optimise focus, and even improve your quality of sleep:
Above Mudo Labs' The Beem features six "mood herb" cartridges with specific benefits, including Experience Kinetic Force powered by ginseng that helps to increase blood circulation
Above Diptyque's Valley of Time refillable candle is crafted with maté absolute, jasmine absolute and white tea from a Chinese town noted for its porcelain and white tea, Jing de zhen.
Mudo Labs' The Beem features six "mood herb" cartridges with specific benefits, including Experience Kinetic Force powered by ginseng that helps to increase blood circulation
1 / 2
FOCUS AND MEMORY ENHANCEMENT
The olfactory system’s direct connection to the brain’s cognitive centres allow scents to offer a natural and accessible method for sharpening focus, optimising memory and enhancing overall mental performance. This makes aromachology a valuable ally for those studying for an important test or researching a specific topic for a big work project.
It’s been widely researched that essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint and lemon possess cognitive-boosting properties, where inhaling such fragrances can stimulate the brain, improving alertness, concentration and memory retention.
According to a study of “the influence of fragrances on human psychophysiological activity” by professors Kandhasamy Sowndhararajan and Songmun Kim, a test of different scents found that the very specific scent of pan-fried Japanese green tea—the odor of koujo in particular—not only induced positive emotions but also had an affect on the beta one activity at the right front region of the brain, associated with improved memory task performance. This, while the “changes in EEG activities due to the essential oil inhalation of helenium root may increase the alertness state of brain”, while “peppermint significantly enhanced memory and alertness” as well.
Above The aromas of rose have shown to have anti-depressant benefits, traditionally used to calm and uplift. One of The Beem's six "moods" is The Bond, featuring exactly that—the delicate, intoxicating scent of rose
Above Aromatherapists have found that bergamot can ease irritability and anger, with properties that can help increase dopamine and serotonin levels when inhaled. Try out Aromatica's Serene Body Bar in lavender and bergamot
The aromas of rose have shown to have anti-depressant benefits, traditionally used to calm and uplift. One of The Beem's six "moods" is The Bond, featuring exactly that—the delicate, intoxicating scent of rose
1 / 2
STRESS AND ANXIETY REDUCTION
While peppermint and green tea have positive impacts on cognitive optimisation, the same study found that scents of ylang-ylang and lavender had the complete opposite effects—in equally positive ways. Familiar botanical scents including ylang-ylang was found to lengthen processing speed and increased calmness, “significantly decreasing the blood pressure and increased the skin temperature”; bergamot was proven effective in relieving work-related stress of teachers with various workloads; and neroli also suggested to promote a relaxed state—so did the odor of incense, which many naturally associate with tradition, and a meditative state.
Above Mudo Labs' The Beem seeks to help users balance moods by inhaling potent, natural-derived "mood herbs" with acupressure
Mudo Labs' The Beem seeks to help users balance moods by inhaling potent, natural-derived "mood herbs" with acupressure
1 / 1
MOOD REGULATION AND ELEVATION
According to the study “effects of fragrance on emotions: moods and physiology” by Oxford Academic Stephen Warrenburg, a self-report method called Mood Mapping identified four key positive moods: happiness, stimulation, relaxation and sensuality.
Citrus fragrances are renowned for their invigorating and mood-lifiting properties, stimulating a sense of happiness and energy. Then we have more sensual notes from rose, vanilla and ylang-ylang that are well-regarded for their aphrodiasic qualities, enhancing one’s desire and sensuality. These aromas can trigger emotional responses in the brain that can result in an array of positive moods, making them a useful tool to transform one’s more dreary, fatigued or stressed emotions.
Inspired by the word “mood”, Singapore-based company Mudo Labs was founded with the goal of mastering moods with state-of-the-art tools that blend science and tradition. With a focus on exploration, the company tapped on a network of renowned scientists, psychologists and research institutes, and an in-house research and development team, to gather information on Asian botanicals and their healing, mood-altering properties. The company’s first offering is The Beem, a pocket-sized device in the shape of a pen that combines aromachology with acupressure, providing an actionable solution for customers to elevate or alter their emotional states. The Beem offers “six moods” featuring potent, natural Asian ingredients such as ginseng, tongkat ali and moringa, as well as internationally known notes from the likes of rose, damiana and sage. The array of scent cartridges is dedicated to uplift, clarify and calm the soul and psyche, while its unique design employs the art of acupoint stimulation based on traditional Chinese medicine doctrines.
One uses this by first activating the scent within the pen-shaped tool and inhaling, which encourages meditative breathing, before using it to apply acupressure to the point above your cupid’s bow, which according to multiple studies and wellness practices, helps to bring your mind back to focus and induce a sense of calm.
Above Formulated with lavender, vetiver and wild camomile essential oils, thisworks' Deep Sleep Bath Soak is a bathtime treat to help melt the day's stress away and soothe the senses
Above Mudo Labs' Experience Rest "mood" features the ubiquitous Asian ingredient of tongkat ali which is known for its calming effects by lowering stress, anxiety and tension by regulating cortisol levels
Formulated with lavender, vetiver and wild camomile essential oils, thisworks' Deep Sleep Bath Soak is a bathtime treat to help melt the day's stress away and soothe the senses
1 / 2
SLEEP IMPROVEMENT
Scientific research also provides robust evidence supporting the effectiveness of aromachology in enhancing sleep quality. The most common scents being lavender, chamomile and sandalwood, which are said to contain compounds that interact with the brain’s limbic system to induce relaxation and reduce anxiety. This is why so many bedtime remedies and wellness products contain such scents, promising better sleep and an overall sense of tranquility to get quality shut eye. A randomised controlled trial conducted by the National Institute of Integrative Medicine in 2017 revealed that aromatherapy using lavender essential oil significantly improved sleep quality among participants suffering from insomnia as well, making this ingredient a truly promising option for those seeking to regulate and improve sleep patterns.
Topics
