Transcript*

In my previous clinical tip on my YouTube channel, I reviewed how essential oils influence our physiology, aid a healthy stress response, and balance our emotions. (If you missed it, you can access it at this link.)

In this week’s video, I will continue discussing optimizing brain health using essential oils. Specifically, I will highlight several ways essential oils support our mental and cognitive health based on their multifaceted actions. These include how essential oils (1) modulate hormones and brain signaling patterns, (2) shift brain electrical activity, and (3) protect the nervous system.

So, let’s get started.

 

1. Essential Oils, Hormones, and Brain Signaling

Essential oils have been shown to influence mood in a variety of ways. I recently reviewed some specific oils that balance emotions in my previous video. I also explained how these aromatic metabolites could impact cortisol, the stress hormone, via the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis). This intricate bidirectional feedback between our brain and the organs of our endocrine system is essential for regulating our hormones and our psychological and physiological state during times of stress.

Some essential oils that were discussed included:

  • Clary sage oil for regulating cortisol, serotonin, and mood.
  • Jasmine essential oil for its influence on the electrical activity of the brain and its psychological benefits.
  • Neroli essential oil for easing menopausal symptoms and balancing emotions.
  • Ylang ylang oil for its nervous system and heart-calming properties.
  • Bergamot essential oil for soothing the nervous system, heart, and mind.
  • Lavender oil to alleviate anxiety and stress.

Besides their ability to impact our HPA axis, another way essential oils affect our psychology is by shifting neurotransmitter release. This occurs by the inhalation of aromas and the ability of the volatile compounds to interact with our cellular receptors. (source, source, source, source, source)  As you probably are aware, neurotransmitters are critical chemical messengers that help to regulate our nervous system and have some important implications in emotional balance.

In a 2018 review article, the pharmacological properties of essential oils and their compounds were explored in relationship to specific changes in brain signaling patterns. Although the focus of the article was mostly on the effects of essential oils and their constituents on the main inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid), other neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, were highlighted as well. It also explored how aromatic compounds targeted other cellular receptors in the body creating changes in pain perception and molecular physiologically. The abstract reads:

…the review focuses on the essential oils and their constituents targeting the GABAergic system and sodium channels, and their antinociceptive, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties. Some constituents target transient receptor potential (TRP) channels to exert analgesic effects. Some components could interact with multiple therapeutic target proteins, for example, inhibit the function of sodium channels and, at the same time, activate GABAA receptors.

Here are several examples related to how essential oils impact brain messages from the in vitro and animal studies in the review:

  • Sage– modulates dopamine (the reward-motivation neurotransmitter)
  • Lavender– effects serotonin (equated with mood and calming)
  • Lemon– suppresses dopamine and accentuates serotonin
  • Bergamot– enhances synaptic connection for better brain communication
  • Bitter orange– impacts serotonin

In summary, this review demonstrated how essential oils can literally act on cellular receptors and influence neurotransmitter signaling in a particular fashion.

This alone is remarkable, but essential oils do more for the brain than influence stress physiology and neural messengers.

 

2. Essential Oils and Brain Electricity

Essential oils also impact brain functional shifts by changing the electrical activity in the brain. Specifically, on the physiological level, essential oils and certain fragrances have been shown to alter brain wave patterns. This affects concentration, focus, relaxation, and emotions. I already mentioned jasmine oil, but there are others. One study provided a handy chart with detailed examples of the effect of aromatics on electroencephalograph (EEG) activity.

 

3. Neuroprotection and Essential Oils

A third mechanism on how essential oils (EOs) support brain health is by protecting the brain and enhancing cognition. A 2017 review article in Frontiers in Aging and Neuroscience explored the mechanisms in detail. Here is an overview from the abstract (my additions in bold):

The neuroprotective and anti-aging potentials of EOs and their possible mechanism of actions were evaluated by numerous researchers around the globe. Several clinically important EOs and their components from Nigella sativa, Acorus gramineus, Lavandula angustifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha piperita, Rosmarinus officinalis, Jasminum sambac, Piper nigrum and so many other plants are reported for neuroprotective effects. This review article was aimed to summarize the current finding on EOs tested against neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer disease (AD) and dementia.

The effects of EOs on pathological targets of AD and dementia including amyloid deposition (AB), neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), cholinergic hypofunction, oxidative stress and glutamatergic abnormalities were focused. (Note: these are brain structural changes, cellular stressors, and neurotransmitter imbalances.)

Furthermore, effects of EOs on other neurological disorders including anxiety, depression, cognitive hypofunction epilepsy and convulsions were also evaluated in detail.

In conclusion, EOs were effective on several pathological targets and have improved cognitive performance in animal models and human subjects. Thus, EOs can be developed as multi-potent agents against neurological disorders with better efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness.

This article begins with a basic overview of essential oils in history and their biochemical properties. It also touches on how manufacturing and harvesting of the plants will affect what compounds will be produced. I have reviewed these concepts related to resulting chemotypes (the primary metabolites found in a species) of essential oils and the effects on quality production in detail in previous blogs. These aspects of chemotype and quality are important to keep in mind when using essential oils therapeutically for brain health, or for any other matter.

Next, the authors summarize how essential oils modulate specific enzyme pathways in the brain to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (ACh), which supports better memory function. They also list essential oils that have been studied in experimental trials to have these effects. This link to a figure provides an overview. For those who want more details, the caption reads:

Neuronal synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh). ACh is stored in the vesicles and subsequent to action potential they get fused with the membrane and release the ACh at neuronal junction. After their action on cholinergic receptors they are enzymatically cleaved by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). EOs can inhibit the action of these cholinesterase’s and can restore their action for prolong time. Thus they are useful for the symptomatic management of Alzheimer disease (AD).

If we look at actual clinical studies with essential oils for memory and brain health, two essential oils stand out for me. These are rosemary and sage oils.

 

Rosemary Oil for Cognition

There are several studies on rosemary oil that demonstrate that it aids memory, cognitive performance, and is stimulating to the nervous system.

In a small study with 20 people, researchers sought to confirm changes in the autonomic nervous system function through the use of rosemary oil using various measurements. According to the article, results confirmed “the stimulatory effects of rosemary oil and provide supporting evidence that brain wave activity, autonomic nervous system activity, as well as mood states are all affected by the inhalation of the rosemary oil.”

In another study that assessed rosemary with lemon oil, an improvement in cognitive function in those with dementia was reported.

Note: If you are looking for its energizing properties, you would want to ensure the rosemary chemotype (a species’ dominant constituent) contains higher amounts of 1,8 cineole and also monoterpenes.

Safety Tip: There are some cautionary statements about using rosemary for high blood pressure. This may be true if blood pressure is linked to overstimulation of the nervous system. In this instance, ylang ylang oil may be a more calming choice to incorporate in one’s wellness protocol.

 

Becoming a Sage: Sage Oil (Salvia officinalis) and Spanish Sage (Salvia lavandulaefolia)

The second oil for brain health and memory is sage oil. This oil has earned its namesake. It has also been shown to assist with cognition and brain function in a variety of human trials.

One study assessed the mental benefits of Spanish sage in healthy subjects using a placebo-controlled, double-blinded, balanced, crossover design. In this complicated trial, the subjects received more than one treatment dosage and had multiple measurements of the same factor. The authors concluded that memory retrieval was enhanced with the Spanish sage, and the participants reported an improvement in alertness, mood, and cognition.

One comprehensive review that included eight human clinical trials using mostly sage oil, but also the herb, summarized its findings in a detailed chart. Improvements in cognitive function, neuropsychiatric syndromes, memory performance, mood, and alertness were validated.

 

Summary

We just reviewed three ways essential oils can support brain health through: (1) stress hormone and neurotransmitter signaling, (2) electrical activity, and (3) neuroprotection. We also highlighted some of my favorite oils for mood and brain function.

These are just a few of the ways essential oils can support our brain and psychology.

I’ll review others in an upcoming tip.

Let me know your thoughts and what your favorite essential oils for emotional balance and cognition are below.

And please, if you like this content, subscribe and provide feedback. This will help us reach more people and empower them with natural health information and safe and evidence-based essential oil education.

 

Resources

 

*Transcript has been edited for grammar and ease of reading.

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Disclaimer: This material is for information purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prescribe for any illness. You should check with your doctor regarding implementing any new strategies into your wellness regime. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. (Affiliation link.)

This information is applicable ONLY for therapeutic quality essential oils. This information DOES NOT apply to essential oils that have not been tested for purity and standardized constituents. There is no quality control in the United States, and oils labeled as “100% pure” need only to contain 5% of the actual oil. The rest of the bottle can be filled with fillers and sometimes toxic ingredients that can irritate the skin. The studies are not based solely on a specific brand of an essential oil, unless stated. Please read the full study for more information.

Thanks Pixabay and Canva.