Katrina Rosales
Fragrances are volatile organic compounds with pleasant odours that have been used for thousands of years to deliver a variety of benefits, especially for the physical and psychological well-being of humans. However, some people experience adverse reactions to fragrances, including perfumes. Symptoms can be both physical and psychological, ranging from coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath to anxiety, elevated heart rate, and increased stress hormones. Research has shown that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to or exacerbating feelings of anxiety. The impact of scents can also be psychological, with people associating certain scents with adverse reactions, leading to anxiety about exposure to fragrances.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Coughing, sneezing, gagging, shortness of breath, rhinitis, asthma attacks, debilitating headaches, anxiety, dizziness, elevated heart rate, rapid breathing, increased stress hormones, hyperventilation, skin irritation, rashes, eye irritation, etc. |
| Causes | Direct impact of toxic chemicals on body systems, distress from other health conditions caused by toxic ingredients, association of scent with adverse reactions, etc. |
| Prevention | Scent-free policies, case-by-case mitigation within the workplace, maintaining an arm's-length distance when using scented products, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The impact of scents on mental health
Scents can have a significant impact on our mental health. Fragrances are volatile substances that can cause both physical and psychological symptoms in some people. Perfumes and scented products, including cosmetics, detergents, and fabric softeners, can contain over 2500 ingredients to create pleasant smells. However, these ingredients can also lead to skin irritation, allergic reactions, and respiratory issues.
The sense of smell plays a crucial role in influencing our mood, stress levels, and cognitive functions. Studies have shown that fragrances can affect spontaneous brain activity, and certain scents can trigger memories or evoke emotional responses. For example, the scent of lavender is often associated with relaxation and calmness, while citrus scents can boost mood and energy levels.
On the other hand, certain fragrances can also induce negative emotions and impact our mental health. Synthetic fragrances, in particular, have been linked to adverse effects on mental well-being. Research indicates that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively affect the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol levels, leading to or exacerbating feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression.
Additionally, the secrecy surrounding fragrance ingredients makes it challenging for consumers to make informed choices. The term "fragrance" on a product label can represent a combination of numerous chemicals, and companies are not required to disclose the specific ingredients used. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to identify potential allergens or irritants.
If you notice that certain fragrances trigger negative emotions or physical symptoms, it may be beneficial to explore alternative options, such as natural fragrances or essential oils, and to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
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Toxic chemicals in perfumes
While perfumes are often marketed as harmless, they may contain a variety of toxic chemicals. These toxic chemicals can be directly linked to anxiety and other health conditions.
Perfumes are made from a complex mixture of chemicals, including odor production, solvents, fluidizers, perfume stabilizers, preservatives, antiperspirants, and denaturing agents. Many of these compounds are toxic to humans. For example, Steinemann (2015) identified 42 toxic or hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) out of 150 distributed from 37 aromatic consumer products in the United States.
The term "fragrance" on a product's label can represent a combination of anywhere between 50 to 200 different chemicals from a possible list of over 3,000 ingredients. Trade Secret legislation permits companies to not disclose these ingredients, allowing them to group them under the term "fragrance". This makes it difficult for consumers to know what they are putting on their bodies and inhaling.
Some toxic chemicals commonly found in perfumes include:
- Diethyl phthalate (DEP): This chemical is used as a denaturing agent and to increase the longevity of wear. It is a known hormone disruptor and is listed as a toxic and priority pollutant under the U.S. Clean Water Act.
- Synthetic musks: These are found in almost all perfumes and laundry products. They bioaccumulate in humans, animals, and the environment, causing hormone disruption.
- Phthalates: These are considered "endocrine disruptors" and have been linked to decreased IQ in babies when mothers are exposed during pregnancy.
- Hormone sensitizers: These may cause hormonal imbalances and affect whole bodily functions.
- Respiratory irritants: These can cause inflammation in the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs and trigger asthma attacks or wheezing.
- Methyl paraben (MP), butyl paraben (BP), ethyl paraben (EP), and propyl paraben (PP): These are used as fungicides, bactericides, and preservatives in perfumes, cosmetics, and deodorants.
Research shows that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression. Additionally, the anxiety caused by exposure to these toxic chemicals can cause real physical symptoms, including elevated heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, increased stress hormones, and hyperventilation.
To protect your health, it is recommended to choose natural perfumes and always check the labels. If a product lists "fragrance" or "perfume" without disclosing the real ingredients, it is best to avoid it.
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Fragrances and their effect on the nervous system
Fragrances have a powerful effect on our emotions and moods. They can evoke emotions and memories through a complex interplay of sensory perception. Our sense of smell is closely tied to emotions and memories, and fragrances can have a profound impact on our moods and behaviours.
The emotional and behavioural alterations caused by fragrance inhalation have been assessed by different electrophysiological methods, including electroencephalography (EEG), contingent negative variation, near-infrared spectroscopy, and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Among these, EEG is the best temporal measure of responses in the central nervous system and is susceptible to alteration during exposure to fragrance.
Several studies have shown that the effects of various fragrances on mood, physiology, and behaviour are due to the fragrance's direct and intrinsic ability to interact with and affect the central nervous system. Fragrances can also impact the brain by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. For example, the scent of vanilla has been shown to increase levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, which is associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
Research shows that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to or exacerbating feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression. The average commercial perfume contains fourteen secret chemicals not disclosed on the ingredients label, including those associated with hormone disruption and those that can accumulate in human fatty tissue, including breast milk.
Individual differences in brain anatomy, genetics, and prior experiences can mean that a fragrance that evokes happy memories for one person may have no effect or even evoke negative memories for another.
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$154
Hormone disruption caused by perfumes
Perfumes can contain a wide range of chemicals, and some of these have been linked to hormone disruption. The term "fragrance" can be used to mask a combination of ingredients that create a scent, and these are almost always 100% synthetic. Trade secret legislation allows companies to group ingredients under the term "fragrance" without disclosing them to consumers.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that commercial perfumes contain an average of 14 secret chemicals not listed on the ingredients label, including those associated with hormone disruption. These include diethyl phthalate (DEP), a known hormone disruptor, and synthetic musks, which can bioaccumulate in humans and cause hormone disruption. Other chemicals found in perfumes, such as phthalates, parabens, and aluminum-based salts, have been linked to endocrine disruption and adverse effects on the functioning of multiple organs, including the endocrine system.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can interfere with the body's natural hormonal balance by mimicking hormones and triggering inappropriate hormone responses or blocking activation, preventing normal hormonal processes. This can lead to a range of health issues, including reproductive disorders, thyroid dysfunction, developmental issues, and an increased risk of certain cancers.
The impact of these chemicals on the body's systems can cause anxiety, either directly or indirectly through distress from other health conditions caused by these ingredients. Research has shown that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol levels, leading to or exacerbating feelings of anxiety and depression.
To avoid synthetic endocrine disruptors, it is recommended to choose 100% natural perfumes made from essential oils, absolutes, and botanical extracts without artificial additives. These natural perfumes do not carry the same risks of hormone disruption as synthetic fragrances and can even have beneficial effects on emotional well-being and stress reduction.
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The psychological effects of scents
Scents like perfumes can have a range of psychological effects on people. Fragrances are volatile organic compounds with usually pleasant odours. They have been used for thousands of years to deliver a variety of benefits, especially for the physical and psychological well-being of humans. The sense of smell plays an important role in the physiological effects of mood, stress, and working capacity.
The impact of scents can also be psychological. For people who have one adverse reaction or associate a scent with adverse reactions, anxiety about exposure to fragrances can result. This anxiety can be exacerbated by feelings of loss of control. Research shows that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to (or exacerbating) feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression.
The term 'fragrance' is given to any number of chemicals used to create an aroma. These could be natural or lab-created synthetics. When you see the word 'fragrance' on a consumer product, it means a combination of ingredients that create a scent. These are almost always 100% synthetic and frequently manufactured from petrochemicals. Fragrance is not just one thing—it usually consists of around 50-200 different chemicals from a possible list of over 3000 ingredients.
Some people are more sensitive to scents than others. The cause may be genetic, or it may be due to constant low-level exposure to chemicals that causes an intolerance over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, perfumes can cause anxiety. Research shows that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to or exacerbating feelings of anxiety.
Symptoms of anxiety can include elevated heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, increased stress hormones, and hyperventilation.
The cause of chemical intolerance may be genetic, or it could be a result of constant low-level exposure to chemicals that causes an intolerance over time.
The term "fragrance" on a product label can refer to any number of chemicals, usually synthetic, that create a scent. Some toxic chemicals commonly found in perfumes include diethyl phthalate (DEP) and synthetic musks, which are known hormone disruptors.
To avoid anxiety caused by perfume, choose unscented or fragrance-free products. If you are in a workplace or institution with scent-sensitive individuals, follow scent-free or scent-reduction policies by refraining from wearing perfumed products.
