The Mood Invoking Power Of Perfumes And Fragrances

The Mood Invoking Power of Perfumes and Fragrances

Perfumes have been around since civilization itself began. In the early years, they were typically associated with religious ceremonies. However, as time moved on, as time reach ancient Egypt, people began adorning their bodies with various fragrances. The connection to fragrance is a psychological one. Fragrances work on levels that we cannot even consciously process. They have fascinating effects on the mind. Women have scents that make them feel attractive; make them feel like themselves, or one that they see as having a positive effect on others. Fragrances are a powerful stimulant to the mind as the memories locked away in our subconscious levels. Fragrances can help wake us up or soothe us to sleep. Scientific studies show there is a close relationship between the scent and the emotional side of our brains. Perfumes are, essentially, emotion in a bottle. They can convey hundreds of different combinations of moods and feelings.

In very general terms, people who act certain ways like certain kinds of scents. For example, those who enjoy a sense of young peacefulness, tranquility, and solitude like oriental perfumes for their heavy sweetness. Those who are both active and optimistic about the prospects of life enjoy hyacinth, lily of the valley, and freesia for their fresh, spring-based scents. People who seem grounded or able to deal with life on a deeper level like scents that have a powdery, flower base to them. Extroverts, who like activity, change, and spontaneous decisions like fruity floral fragrances including those that are pineapple, raspberry, black currant, or peach based. People who need a sense of order and security in order to function like floral oriental perfumes for their earthy, sweet notes. People who have a sense of emotional stability combined with an extroverted personality like scents like oak moss with bergamot.

If people with certain personality bases like certain scents, it can be extrapolated that certain scents invoke certain moods or feelings. Our moods and feelings are on a constantly evolving basis in our minds. We have very unstable, unpredictable patterns in our minds, and, interestingly enough, scientific studies show that fragrances can evoke some moods and feelings in a way other stimuli cannot. For example, the scent vanilla can make one feel a sensuality he or she was previously unaware of. It can unleash hidden, yet strong emotions that resonate throughout the entire body. A scent like sandalwood can invoke warm, seductive feelings that were previously unrecognized by the individual. Patchouli is a forceful scent. It creates profound feelings. It is often associated with earthy tasks. Myrhh induces an overall feeling of courage. It creates a metal strength where there was none. Jasmine is the great scent of passion. It can induce erotic thoughts in even the toughest person. Benzoin is great for opening deep emotional wells. It can penetrate thick walls of emotions that have long since been fortified many times over. Ylang ylang stimulates the body. It opens the senses to new, previously unfelt experiences. Bergamot, like jasmine, can produce erotic thoughts, but it also has the power of persuasion with it.

Researchers have identified seven basic scent categories that can invoke varying moods. The first category is floriental scents. These offer romantic, dream-based moods that are often idealistic in nature. They create emotional places where feelings can serve as a master, not just a guide. Another category is aldehyic-floral scents. These tend to project a classical, elegant, or cultured mood. They can evoke feelings of wealth, power, and freedom. Oriental scents are the third category. These offer introspection, sensitivity, and reflection as their base moods. These can evoke a deep, spiritual understanding and intense relationship bonds. An additional category is fruity-floral scents. These project a carefree, playful, and cheerful mood. These fragrances create curiosity and an openness to change that would not ordinarily exist without them. Another category is powdery-aldehydic scents. These scents offer an independent, unconventional, and unfettered mood. These scents offer an artistic freedom. The sixth category is fresh green floral scents. These project a dynamic, active, and extroverted mood. These scents invoke feelings of risk and the exhilaration that goes with that risk. The final scent category is chypre scents. These fragrances project professional, pragmatic, and self-assured moods. These are no nonsense scents that offer a feeling of practicality.

Scents can be powerful tools to very subjective minds.