Lots of talk is talked about fragrance’s ability to calm us. As you know, I’m no scientist, but I thought it could be cool to talk about the fragrant materials I find calming. Some are profound and backed by aromatherapeutic research I have half-assedly looked into over the years. Other materials I find calming for their transportive vibe. We all could use some aromatic prompting from time to time to let the hair down & unwind. You can’t always carry around a pillow, listen to tunes at work, or light a candle on the subway. But perfume can be carried by your epidermis all day – a fragrant pillow that sings calm melodies. Here’s my go-to calm down materials.
Hey there, one thing that comes to mind when selecting what essential oils for psychoactive effects is extremely tied to our fragrance memories. When I worked at AVEDA in the 1990’s pre Estee. The owner- founder Horst who was my boss, used to say “sure lavender may be technically relaxing. However, if you had a mean grandma how wore a lavender based perfume you may not find lavender relaxing” Everyone has their own history of what makes them love or dislike essential oils. I do think that if one really wants to explore essential oils it’s good to push past your own biased memory of smells and you will create new ones that are positive. Perfumery is an amazing journey so many wonderful memories to be made. Thanks for sharing
Ylang-ylang is so underrated as a single note or essential oil. I have an ylang-ylang essential oil that I love the smell straight from the bottle, but I feel like it’s so strong in my diffuser
Thanks for the hinoki breakdown! I bought a Hinoki Fantome candle on a whim and have been noticing hinoki in fragrance notes ever since, but I didn’t know the origin. Love the forest mulch smell.
Is that a copy of “I Married Adventure” by Osa Johnson on your bookshelf? A wondrous book filled with so many fume possibilities from the dusty photography studio to the ocean to the cornucopia of the jungle. Great post! Keep ‘em coming!
Hey there, one thing that comes to mind when selecting what essential oils for psychoactive effects is extremely tied to our fragrance memories. When I worked at AVEDA in the 1990’s pre Estee. The owner- founder Horst who was my boss, used to say “sure lavender may be technically relaxing. However, if you had a mean grandma how wore a lavender based perfume you may not find lavender relaxing” Everyone has their own history of what makes them love or dislike essential oils. I do think that if one really wants to explore essential oils it’s good to push past your own biased memory of smells and you will create new ones that are positive. Perfumery is an amazing journey so many wonderful memories to be made. Thanks for sharing
def that makes sense! Great perfume is an invitation to build your own world around you.
Want to know how qualia and sometimes synesthesia arrise?
https://dimensionsofrealityatheoreticalframework.quora.com/Layered-Consciousness-Unveiling-the-Symphony-of-Awareness-How-Consciousness-Arise-In-the-grand-tapestry-of-existenc?ch=15&oid=196016491&share=762ebb1d&target_type=post
Ylang-ylang is so underrated as a single note or essential oil. I have an ylang-ylang essential oil that I love the smell straight from the bottle, but I feel like it’s so strong in my diffuser
Agreed. It can be a bit cloying in perfumes. I think that's why its less popular as a star role.
adore ylang ylang
tops!
Thanks for the hinoki breakdown! I bought a Hinoki Fantome candle on a whim and have been noticing hinoki in fragrance notes ever since, but I didn’t know the origin. Love the forest mulch smell.
Thanks for reading!
Is that a copy of “I Married Adventure” by Osa Johnson on your bookshelf? A wondrous book filled with so many fume possibilities from the dusty photography studio to the ocean to the cornucopia of the jungle. Great post! Keep ‘em coming!
It is! Ashamed to say I've yet to read it.
It’s a fascinating read especially for a time in the world when the world was still being discovered for the first time just 80 years ago.