A physiological study on the effects of lavender aroma
Author: Itoh M 1//Sasaki T 1//Duan Y 2//Watanabe K 3////
Affiliation:
Division of Nuclear Medicine, Cyclotron Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan) [1]//Department of Medical Engineering and Cardiology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan) [2]//Teikoku Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan) [3]//Pioneer Co.Ltd (Tokyo, Japan)
Conference/Journal: J Intl Soc Life Info Science
Date published: 2004
Other:
Volume ID: 22 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 109-112 , Word Count: 95
This study focused on changes in regional brain activity when smelling lavender aroma. The autonomic nerve tones were evaluated by calculating heart rate variability’s using ECG data. Increases of parasympathetic tone were suggested after smelling lavender aroma as seen in increases in HF and decreases in LF/HF. FDG-PET measurements revealed metabolic reductions in the right superior temporal gyrus and right post central gyrus and activations in the left posterior part of the cingulate gyrus. These results implied that smelling lavender aroma induced not only relaxation but also increased arousal level in these subjects.
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