Enhancing Cognitive Function With Essential Oils

The essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy actually have a significant base of data supporting their use in many medical applications. They have proven antibacterial, antiviral, even anticancer effects. Recent research is building on their ability to improve cognitive function as well. While not directly the aim of these studies, it seems some oils have been shown to be able to improve mood as well in "controlled" research. So how can you take this data out of the lab and into your life? It's pretty easy really -- here's a look at the research, and some ideas on taking it home with you.

Essential oils can loosely be classified as "stimulating", "sedating" or "neutral". Many of the stimulating oils seem to share certain effects on the nervous system in a biochemical manner. And by definition, they share effects on alertness and mood. The great thing being that "aromatherapy" that was once laughed at, is now being backed by rigorous research, and the connections between the biochemical actions and the psychological actions are being elucidated.

The results of a very stringent study was just published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology. Researchers at Northumbria University at Newcastle, in the United Kingdom used a battery of tests to determine the effect of ingesting a single drop of sage essential oil. The study was placebo controlled, and no one knew who was receiving the actual sage oil was being ingested until the testing was complete.

The results are very enlightening for the aromatherapy practitioner. With just one single drop, measurable, statically significant improvements in both mood and memory-related tasks were found (most notably at one-hour post ingestion). At four hours after ingestion, measurable reduction of mental fatigue was found. This seems that a really small amount of essential oil produced these results! And because the drop was ingested, it's all about getting the oil in the bloodstream any way you can -- which actually happens via inhalation and topical application as well. So what's going on here?

The reason for these cognitive and mood improvements are not completely clear -- however, the researchers point to the observation that sage, and in fact many other spicy/herbal essential oils, inhibit an enzyme in the body that breaks down acetylcholine. This is our primary "information processing" neurotransmitter, and when these essential oils are in the bloodstream, they allow more of this neuro-chemical to be available. This is the same activity of an herbal supplement called "Huperzine A", also taken to improve brain function.

This research notes the sage oil was particularly high in natural chemicals called "monoterpenes". One example of a monoterpene is "1,8-cineole" also known as "eucalyptol", being the primary component in common eucalyptus essential oil. Interestingly, lemon essential oil has also been researched for improved cognitive function, and actually recommended for use by Alzheimer's patients. So it appears that these bright aromatics, which some similar natural constituents, have similar effects in the brain.

So how to go about using these essential oils for improved mental performance yourself? The abstract of the research involving sage essential oil indicated the results were due to ingesting a single dose of 1 drop of oil. While you'll see a lot of conflicting opinion about ingesting essential oils, virtually everyone can agree that ingesting 1 drop on occasion is safe for all but the most spicy oils (cinnamon or oregano). Understanding how essential oils are actually absorbed in the bloodstream through inhalation and topical application, it would seem truly that any way you'd like to use these types of oil for improving cognitive function is reasonable. (Use of sage essential oil is not recommended during pregnancy or by young children due to its ketone content -- but there are many other oils to choose from!) Whichever you do choose, remember that essential oils are potent, and successful use virtually always adheres to the "less is more" principal.