Unlocking The Power Of Scents: Aroma Freedom Technique Explained

The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) is a method that combines essential oils with psychological principles to help dissolve negative thoughts, feelings, and memories. Created by clinical psychologist Dr. Benjamin Perkus, AFT is designed to help individuals overcome subconscious resistance to achieving their goals. By addressing the root causes of stress and exhaustion, AFT aims to bring about personal healing and growth, allowing individuals to reclaim their inner harmony and move towards their dreams.

The role of scent in psychotherapy

The use of scent in psychotherapy, or aromatherapy, is a powerful tool that can enhance physical and emotional health. While aromatherapy is not considered a medically accepted therapy, interest in this area has grown substantially over the past few decades.

The sense of smell is often associated with mood disorders. Olfactory dysfunction is linked to depression and anxiety, and the loss of smell can reduce the pleasures of eating and socializing, lower sex drive, and increase concerns about bodily hygiene.

The use of pleasant aromas to enhance well-being dates back thousands of years. In ancient times, fragrant oils were used ceremonially in the Far East, Egypt, and Greece. Essential oils were extracted from herbs and flowers to create medicines, perfumes, and anointments for the ill and deceased.

Today, aromatherapy involves the deliberate use of plant-derived oils to enhance physical and emotional health. Research has shown that certain essential oils, such as lavender, can reduce self-reported stress levels and promote relaxation. Other studies have found that peppermint and lavender essential oils can increase accuracy while proofreading.

In psychotherapy, pleasant aromas can be paired with relaxation techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness practice, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback. This pairing, known as "associative learning" or "higher-order conditioning" in cognitive behavioral therapy, aims to elicit a relaxation response when exposed to the scent alone.

However, it is important to consider individual preferences and aversions to different aromas. Additionally, it is crucial to inquire about emotional associations with certain scents to avoid unpleasant memories or triggering traumatic experiences.

The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT), developed by Dr. Benjamin Perkus, is a method that combines essential oils with proven psychological principles to dissolve negative thoughts, feelings, and memories. This technique utilizes the principle of Memory Reconsolidation, which is the brain's natural way of updating learning and prediction.

How AFT changes your inner voice

The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) is a method that uses pure essential oils, along with intention and awareness, to help dissolve negative thoughts, feelings, and memories that may be holding a person back. It was created by Dr. Benjamin Perkus, who discovered that holding the four primary aspects of consciousness (feeling, thought, sensation, and imagination) together while smelling specific essential oils could "dissolve" the memory/emotion complex. This allows individuals to become free from the negative impacts of past experiences.

AFT can be a powerful tool for changing your inner voice, which is that internal monologue we all have, which can be supportive or critical. Our inner voice is influenced by our childhood experiences and the instructions and tone used by our caregivers. If you want to change your inner voice using AFT, here's how it can help:

• Dissolving Negative Thoughts and Feelings: AFT helps to dissolve negative thoughts and feelings that contribute to a negative inner voice. By targeting specific memories or experiences, you can shift your emotional response and create a more positive inner dialogue.
• Shifting Your Mental State: AFT uses the power of pure essential oils to shift your mental state instantly. This means that if you're feeling overwhelmed by negative self-talk, AFT can help you move towards a more positive and empowering state.
• Identifying and Reframing: By identifying the type of inner voice you have (such as the critical Ambivalent Parent or the supportive Faithful Friend), you can begin to reframe your internal conversations. AFT can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, allowing you to consciously choose a more positive and compassionate inner voice.
• Transforming Your Inner Critic: If you struggle with a critical inner voice, AFT can help you transform it into an inner coach. By turning negative, spontaneous thoughts into deliberate, positive advice, you can develop a more supportive and encouraging inner monologue.
• Achieving Emotional Balance: One of the key goals of AFT is to achieve emotional balance. By addressing negative thoughts and feelings, you can reduce the intensity of distressing internal dialogue and create a calmer and more harmonious inner voice.
• Setting and Achieving Goals: AFT is also useful for goal setting. By identifying what you want in life and releasing any blocks, you can use AFT to create a more positive and motivating inner voice that supports your goals and aspirations.

In summary, AFT can be a powerful tool for changing your inner voice by helping you dissolve negative thoughts and feelings, shift your mental state, reframe your inner dialogue, transform your inner critic, achieve emotional balance, and set and achieve goals. By using AFT, you can develop a more positive, supportive, and empowering inner voice that contributes to your overall well-being and personal growth.

AFT as a method for goal setting

The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) is a powerful method for goal setting, helping individuals to break free from negative thoughts, feelings, and memories that hold them back from achieving their dreams. This technique combines the use of pure essential oils with proven psychological principles, offering a unique approach to aromatherapy and emotional freedom.

The key to AFT lies in harnessing the connection between scent and emotion. By stimulating the Olfactory Bulb, the Amygdala, and the Hippocampus, AFT triggers the brain's emotional and memory centres. While inhaling specific essential oils, individuals focus on their feelings, thoughts, sensations, and imagination, allowing them to dissolve the emotional barriers associated with past negative experiences.

The process begins with setting an intention or goal. The user rates their belief in the attainability of this goal on a scale of 1 to 10. They then identify and confront the thoughts and emotions that stand in their way, using essential oils to shift their mindset and initiate a positive outlook. This technique empowers individuals to break free from self-doubt and limiting beliefs, fostering confidence and inner freedom.

AFT is particularly effective for those who feel stuck or seek success in various areas of life. It can be applied to a range of goals, from career aspirations to personal relationships. The process is designed to be simple, safe, and self-directed, allowing users to work through the steps in the privacy of their homes.

By following the 12 steps of AFT, individuals can transform their mental states, moods, and abilities to take positive action. This technique not only helps identify what one truly wants in life but also provides a path to release any blocks standing in the way. With daily practice, users can stay on track and work towards realising their heart's desires.

AFT as a form of self-care

The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) is a unique method of aromatherapy that uses essential oils to help people achieve emotional freedom. It was developed by Dr Benjamin Perkus, who discovered a connection between scent and emotion while working in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

AFT is a form of self-care that can be used by anyone wishing to overcome negative thoughts, feelings, and memories that are holding them back. It is particularly useful for those who feel stuck in some area of their life and want to achieve their dreams and ambitions. The technique is simple, safe, and can be done at home, making it easily accessible.

The process involves 12 steps, including identifying a goal, exploring the emotions and memories associated with it, and using specific essential oils to help break free from negative cycles. The oils used in the AFT process are Lavender, Frankincense, and Stress Away from Young Living Oils. The technique involves holding all four primary aspects of consciousness (feeling, thought, sensation, and imagination) together while smelling these specific essential oils. This has the effect of "dissolving" the memory/emotion complex, freeing the person from the negative impacts of past experiences.

AFT is a powerful tool for self-care as it allows individuals to work through their emotions and memories at their own pace. It provides a sense of agency and control over one's mental state, mood, and ability to take positive action. By following the steps of AFT, individuals can transform their negative thoughts and feelings into positive ones, leading to increased self-confidence and a more fulfilling life.

AFT as a tool for stress reduction

The Aroma Freedom Technique (AFT) is a powerful tool for stress reduction, offering a new approach to aromatherapy that can help individuals achieve mental and emotional balance. By combining the use of pure essential oils with psychological principles, AFT aims to dissolve negative thoughts, feelings, and memories that may be hindering personal growth and well-being.

AFT was developed by Dr. Benjamin Perkus, who discovered that bringing together the four primary aspects of consciousness – feeling, thought, sensation, and imagination – while inhaling specific essential oils, could effectively "dissolve" the complex interplay between memories and emotions. This technique allows individuals to free themselves from the lingering effects of traumatic past experiences, providing relief from stress and painful memories.

The use of essential oils in AFT is based on the principle of Memory Reconsolidation, which is the brain's natural process of updating learning and prediction. When essential oils are inhaled, they activate smell receptors in the nose, sending signals to the brain through the nervous system. This process may stimulate areas of the brain such as the limbic system, which plays a crucial role in emotions and memory. The result is the activation of feel-good brain chemicals like serotonin, contributing to stress reduction and improved relaxation.

In addition to its stress-relieving properties, AFT has been found beneficial for goal setting and overall mental and emotional balance. It can be easily integrated into existing therapeutic styles, offering a comprehensive approach to personal healing and growth. The effectiveness of AFT has been supported by customer testimonials, who have praised the technique for its simplicity, comprehensibility, and powerful healing capabilities.

Overall, AFT is a promising technique for stress reduction, providing individuals with a tool to enhance their emotional well-being and move towards a brighter, more harmonious future.

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