The Science of Aromatherapy: How Scent Connects to the Brain
Joseph ShelleyUnderstanding How Aromatherapy Works — The Natural Brain Connection
Aromatherapy isn’t magic — it’s biology.
Every time you inhale a fragrance, your brain is already hard at work translating scent into feeling. The way this happens is through a fascinating system called the olfactory pathway — one of the most direct links between your body and emotions.
Step One: The Power of the Olfactory Pathway
When you breathe in an aroma, microscopic scent molecules travel through your nose to the olfactory receptors — millions of tiny sensors high inside your nasal cavity.
These receptors detect different aromatic compounds and instantly send signals to the olfactory bulb, a structure located just beneath the front of your brain.
Unlike other senses that take a longer route through the body, smell has a fast track straight to the brain’s emotional core — which is why a single scent can transport you back to a memory or instantly shift your mood.
Step Two: Reaching the Emotional Centre
From the olfactory bulb, the signal travels directly to the limbic system — the area of the brain that manages emotion, memory, and motivation. Within the limbic system, two key regions play an important role in aromatherapy’s effects:
• The Amygdala — often called the brain’s emotional processor. It helps link scent to feelings like calm, comfort, or alertness. That’s why certain aromas can help you feel instantly more at ease or more energised.
• The Hippocampus — the centre of learning and memory. When a scent passes through this area, it can strengthen associations between smell and memory, helping explain why familiar aromas trigger vivid recollections or mental focus.
When you smell calming notes like lavender or jasmine, they interact with these emotional centres to promote a sense of peace.
Invigorating aromas such as lemon, peppermint, or eucalyptus stimulate brighter, fresher feelings that help you feel more alert and focused.
Because the limbic system also connects to your heart rate, breathing, and hormones, scent can subtly influence your overall sense of balance and wellbeing — helping you feel grounded, refreshed, or at ease depending on the aroma you choose.
Step Three: The Trigeminal Nerve — The Cooling, Tingling Sensation
Alongside the olfactory pathway is another key player: the trigeminal nerve.
This nerve picks up the “feeling” of certain aromas — the cooling of menthol, the warmth of cassia, or the clarity of borneol.
That’s why Breevio’s blends often feel physically stimulating as well as emotionally uplifting.
It’s not just what you smell — it’s also what you feel when aromatic compounds interact with your sensory nerves.
The Breevio Approach: Expertly Formulated for Balanced Stimulation
Breevio Aromas combine both sides of this science:
• Energiser Blends stimulate the senses through crisp, cooling notes like peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, and lemon.
• Calmer Blends engage the emotional pathways through soft, soothing aromas like lavender, coconut, and jasmine.
Every aromatherapy pot is carefully designed to deliver a smooth, balanced sensory experience — stimulating the mind while supporting calm, focus, and wellbeing.
It’s this harmony of olfactory receptors, trigeminal response, and expert formulation that makes Breevio Aromas a truly modern expression of ancient aromatherapy science.
Aromatherapy Made Simple
You don’t need to be a scientist to appreciate it — just breathe, and your body does the rest.
Whether you’re using Breevio for focus, energy, or relaxation, every scent activates your natural pathways to help you feel your best, naturally.