A study from West Virginia University suggests that aromatherapy may reduce stress in people being treated for substance use disorders, thereby increasing the chances of successful recovery.
(WVU Photo/Jennifer Sheppard)
(Editor’s Notes: Watch the video Read this article from The Conversation with researcher Marianne Leben explaining the benefits of aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy may reduce stress in people undergoing treatment for substance use disorders, thereby increasing the chances of successful recovery, according to a study published in the journal Neurology. West Virginia University Research. This ongoing research embraces the use of essential oils as an integrative therapy that is part of a holistic model that focuses on the whole person.
Researchers wanted to find out if using an aroma inhaler filled with bergamot essential oil could increase comfort and serenity, and reduce stress. In this study, comfort was defined as a feeling of security, and serenity was defined as calm in the midst of stress.
“People in treatment struggle to cope with the overwhelming demands of everyday life, work, family, the disease itself, and the treatment program,” he said. Marianne LebenAssistant Professor West Virginia University School of Nursing The study was led by a registered aromatherapist, who said: “These people recognise that reducing distress and increasing comfort during recovery from substance use is essential to their success.”
Leven said various studies into treating substance use disorders have shown that without enough of the drug in the body, people lose pleasure and become more sensitive to stress and anxiety.
Study participants, all in treatment for substance use disorders, reported increased comfort and ease and decreased perceived stress after using their inhalers at least three times a day for one week. Participants recorded how often they used their inhalers and rated their comfort level in a daily logbook. The results were reduced stress and anxiety and increased feelings of calm and relaxation.
Leven said he chose bergamot for the study because of its calming effect on the central nervous system, but he also hopes to explore the effects of other essential oils, including various citrus fruits, lavender and sustainably sourced sandalwood.
Essential oil extracted from the bergamot peel has a fresh, citrus scent. It’s used in many perfumes and soaps and gives Earl Grey tea its distinctive flavor and aroma. Bergamot and other essential oils used in aromatherapy don’t just smell good and give you an uplifting feeling, they also have physiological benefits, says Leben. Compounds in essential oils work through the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for processing and regulating emotions and memories.
Leben said studying how essential oils can complement treatment plans for substance use disorders and other illnesses is consistent with an evolving approach to person-centered care, which includes other treatments such as acupuncture, mindfulness, meditation and yoga.
“The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is calling for this groundswell of holistic health,” Leben says, “which touches every health choice people make. Incorporating aromatherapy into a treatment plan to increase comfort, reduce stress, and improve quality of life is one example.”
This study is a spin-off of Leven’s work. Aromatherapy Research 2020 Nurses reported significantly reduced stress, anxiety, fatigue, and feelings of overwhelm after wearing the aromatherapy patches while at work. West Virginia University Cancer Institute Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center.
She said both studies fill a gap in the search for ways to promote health and well-being, while also highlighting the need for more detailed research into dosage and frequency. She also hopes the findings will inform future research into the use of different essential oils for patients undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy and palliative care, as well as for people looking to improve their overall health.
“The comments from this study of people with substance use disorders give me hope, and I want to know what other people need similar support,” Leben said. “This may include people before they become ill, because the desire to be happy is part of a person’s whole health. There is a lot of work to be done to show how aromatherapy can impact health and well-being, and I look forward to many years of discoveries the research will produce.”
-West Virginia University-
ls/07/13/23
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