A Neuroscientist Has Revealed The Exact Scent To Wear If You're Feeling Anxious

When it comes to perfume, selecting your very own ‘signature scent’ is no easy feat. One whiff can evoke specific memories, good or bad, and transport us to a time and place that has the ability to trigger powerful emotions.

In fact, to grasp just how closely linked our moods are to our fragrance, 75 per cent of the daily emotions we experience are affected by smell.

And when it comes to the sense that creates the most lasting impact, we are 100 times more likely to remember something we smell, over something we hear, see or touch.

But, just as fragrances can trigger emotions, they can also work to subside them.

Neuroscientist and mindfulness expert Patrick K. Porter has revealed to Well And Good that particular fragrance notes have the ability to soothe certain hormones, which can play a role in reducing feelings of anxiety and stress.

So if you’d like your daily spritz to work a bit harder, he says to look for perfumes formulated with neroli, lemongrass, lavender and bergamot to keep you calm as well as smelling amazing.

Here are our top recommendations for an anxiety-reducing fragrance:

L’OCCITANE Lavender Eau de Cologne

Inspired by summertime in the south of France, there’s not much about this luxurious, lavender scent that won’t instantly put you at ease.

Vera Wang Embrace French Lavender and Tuberose

Inspired by intimacy and emotion, Vera Wang’s Embrace combines French lavender with tuberose and sandalwood to create a timeless, long-lasting scent that helps to keep a busy mind relaxed.

Ermenegildo Zegna Parfums Acqua di Neroli Eau De Toilette Spray

Praised for soothing feelings of restlessness, neroliadds a touch of spice to this fresh, zesty fragrance also containing rosemary, lemon and violet leaves.

Le Labo Bergamote 22

Fragrant citrus fruit bergamote makes up this fresh, sweet scent from luxury perfume brand Le Labo. Mixed with subtle notes of amber and musk, enjoy a delicate, sweet and soothing fragrance.

$440, available at MECCA

Main image credit: @lelabo

56 Member Comments

Miss19 22 Apr 2021 5:57 PM

I actually don't like the scent of lavender

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Rhianna_little123 21 Apr 2021 11:26 PM

i need this

jaffacat 20 Apr 2021 8:35 PM

I used to buy neroli essential oil because it made me happy, love citrus and sandalwood scents!

Candyfairy 16 Apr 2021 5:35 PM

This is so interesting how scent relates to our moods. I am always drawn to vanilla and milk & honey scents, but then I also love rose scents too.

Midnight Blue 11 Apr 2021 7:20 PM

Lavender all the way! It's the best by far for anxiety and headaches. I don't wear it as a perfume but just use it straight up whenever I need it.

AndreaJW 11 Apr 2021 2:47 PM

Lavendar is overpowering

M. 8 Apr 2021 10:06 PM

Interesting article but, unfortunately, lavender smells like nursing homes to me.

lgauci 6 Apr 2021 3:00 PM

Lavender always puts me to sleep so this is a must.

Chicklet 4 Apr 2021 11:09 PM

These do sound calming and soothing.

Kayla813 23 Mar 2021 3:15 PM

I'm not a fan of lavender :(

IndieAna 21 Mar 2021 1:16 PM

I need to try some of these perfumes !

Beautyguru101 19 Mar 2021 1:09 PM

I had no idea that perfume could help anxiety I have a mix of natural fragrances that I love to put on at night I might have to use it more often.

perthchick 18 Mar 2021 5:14 PM

I need to bathe in these scents. I have anxiety and depression. Some days are good. Others are terrible.

GeeJ 18 Mar 2021 1:30 AM

I'm not a fan on scents unless it's fruity.

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BeautySwan88 12 Mar 2021 7:58 AM

I feel anxious most of the time during the day, especially when I'm in a crowd. I get this feeling that everyone is looking at me, and it drives me nuts! This perfume might just solve my problems. To be able to smell the lavender as I go about my day is just what I need. And maybe for my bedroom, I could use a scented candle or an oil diffuser. For this, Luxondemand has my back. I wonder which stores do I go to for the perfume.