RESEARCH

The Impact of Landscape Plant Fragrance on Emotion and Brain Responses

The research found that common floral scents can activate particular brain regions, leading to strong emotional reactions. This enhances our understanding of the relationship between scent, brain function, and emotion.
Program Types: Social
Population Groups: General Population
Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings
Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Sensory Stimulation
Allied Profession Intersections: Behavioral Therapy
Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation
Evidence Type: Randomized Controlled Trials, Quantitative Research
Measurement and Evaluation: Standardized Assessment Tools, Program Effectiveness
Access: Available Upon Request
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Summary

This research paper investigates how different fragrances affect brain activity and emotions. Thirty-eight participants, including both men and women, were asked to smell various fragrant plants while their brain activity was recorded using an fMRI machine. They also filled out an emotional questionnaire after each fragrance exposure. The researchers used special software to analyze the brain images and questionnaire responses to understand how specific brain regions reacted to the smells and how these reactions were tied to their emotions.

The study found that certain floral scents can stimulate specific areas of the brain, leading to noticeable emotional responses. By combining brain imaging data and questionnaire answers, the researchers concluded that fragrances can significantly influence both brain activity and how people feel emotionally when exposed to different scents.

Link

Wu, Y.C., & Chang, C.Y. (2021). The impact of landscape plant fragrance on emotion and brain responses. ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1313: International Symposium on Horticultural Therapies: Past, Present and Future

 

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