Perfume has been used throughout history for a variety of reasons. Perfume has proved itself to be a valuable commodity in both ancient and modern times, with the modern perfume industry turnover in its billions every year. Perfume is a luxury, rather than a necessity, and yet its popularity grows rather than wavers every year. The reason behind this is the enjoyment that the wearer gains, and this type of enjoyment stems from the recognised and unnoticed benefits that wearing perfume provides.



Firstly, the effect of perfume on our brains is not necessarily recognised though the effects are certainly enjoyed. Each scent, whether natural or synthetic, emits molecules which enter the nasal passages and eventually reach the olfactory epithelium. This part of the nose has a vast amount of receptor neurons which are each covered in hairs called cilia. These cilia trap the scent and send a message to the brain which enables a person to recognise the perfume. The ability to smell immediately has a positive impact. This is important as some research has shown that people without a sense of smell have a less happy life than those who can smell; scents trigger emotions and affect our mood.

As a result of this finding, perfume has become as much a science as it has an accessory. Aromatherapy studies the effects of natural botanical perfume ingredients, usually in the form of oils in their purest state. Its looks at the effects upon mood and general well being, and applies the knowledge by improving the perfume in the environment and offering a variety of aromatherapy services aimed at improving people`s lives. Aromacology applies this same approach to any available scent, from flowers to sand, and the findings are currently assisting perfume manufacturers worldwide.

The ingredients used in perfume may improve your concentration and enhance your mood. There is a long list of scents that are said to trigger this stimulating effect. Perfumes that contain ingredients such as ginger, sandalwood and rose are claimed by aromatherapists and aromacologists alike to have a stimulating effect on brain neurons. The increased stimulation aided by the use of perfume assists in many everyday tasks, from more focused studying to extra stamina and energy, balanced weight loss to an improved immune system.

Another benefit to be gained from wearing perfume is that it can relax your mood. Certain scents have aldehydes which have a calming effect on the brain. The perfume oils which have this effect include eucalyptus and citronella.

Other scents can act as a form of sedative, aiding restful sleep, which helps reduce anxiety and tension which in turn creates a wealth of health benefits. The most famous of these perfumes include lavender and bergamot, which have been used for this purpose for centuries and in a variety of countries worldwide.

The benefits of perfume are not just highlighted by scientific study. Many psychologists state that humans begin to store information about scents when only a few months old, and that scents affect reactions to people and events more than any of the other senses at this young age. In fact, our taste in smells remains more or less the same whereas tastes influenced by other senses are extremely changeable. This means that we choose perfumes for a reason, either it triggers a feeling of nostalgia or makes us feel a certain way.

The perfume chosen also has a social relevance; it tells people something about the wearer, and helps cement their identity. Attraction to another person is influenced by invisible scents known as pheromones, and perfume adds to this. Above all, perfume makes the wearer feel fresh, attractive and more confident; and confidence is a definite benefit.