This is the second video that focuses on how essential oils alter brain signals at the biochemical level. It is within my series on the benefits of using natural modalities to support mental health. Since most medications for psychiatric illnesses act on neurotransmitters, an understanding of how essential oils also affect them will benefit both doctors and patients. This knowledge will allow for health care practitioners and their clients to make safe and informed decisions on how these holistic tools can synergize, interact, or modify current treatments.

In my previous video, I began my discussion on an article review exploring how essential oils impact our brain at the cellular level. I examined the research presented and explained how the authors of this publication provided pharmacological verification of some common uses of essential oils. I also provided a summary of my previous research and articles on essential oils. This was to remind listeners that these plant metabolites can impact our brain beyond the chemical level. Essential oils also effect physical and electrical aspects of cognitive functioning. Furthermore, they can influence all areas of wellness including physiological, emotional, relational, and spiritual.

In this video, I continue reviewing the findings from this impressive review. I describe in more detail how essential oils and their compounds were reported to balance various brain signaling pathways including GABA, serotonin, opioid receptors, and other neurotransmitters. I also explain how this knowledge can be applied to humans clinically.

Watch this 12-minute video to learn:

• The outcome that can occur in the brain when essential oils compounds attach to cellular receptors.
• How researchers are able to determine mechanisms of actions of compounds on the brain in petri dishes and in rodents and why this important to understand when assessing the overall effect of essential oils.
• Some of my favorite highlights of essential oils and how they can modify neural signaling as found from petri dish and rodent studies.
• Other ways that essential oils support brain health holistically, beyond neurotransmitters, by addressing several factors related to mental functioning.
• The minute details of assessing how isolates found in essential oils can interact with cell signaling in the brain and specific examples.
• How a balance of brain excitation and inhibition by substances in essential oils can positively impact central nervous system disorders.
• Why a single constituent does not translate to the overall effect of an essential oil and how a combination of petri dish, animal, and clinical trials are needed to determine how humans will respond.
• The caveats, pitfalls, and potential of studying mechanisms of actions at the cellular level using isolates and essential oils.
• More information on using essential oils safely.

Please see the accompanying article for additional resources, safety considerations, references, and more information here.

*Safety reminder: Please be extra sure to check with your doctor if you have a seizure disorder. The Epilepsy Society of the UK lists certain essential oils implicated for their antiseizure effect as well as those that have stimulating properties.

For additional safety and medical information, please be sure to visit my essential oils database. This includes a full category on how to use essential oils safely and potential drug interactions that can occur.

If you and/or your physician are interested in consulting with me to assist with supporting the integration of essential oils safely into a therapeutic protocol, essential oils consultations are available.