Miguel Murphy

Physiology & Behavior 86

Ambient Odors of Orange and Lavender Reduce Anxiety and Improve Mood in a Dental Office
June 24, 2005

This study aimed to demonstrate the fact that odors can affect the emotions and moods of
human beings. In particular, the researchers wanted to show that exposing dentistry patients to
the odors of orange and/or lavender would lower anxiety and improve their mood while they
were waiting for their appointment. To gain additional data, the research team also compared the
difference in effect between odors and musical stimulants on the participants. The group
experimented on consisted of 200 dental patients between 18 and 77 years of age. Half of the
participants were male, and the other half were female. The conclusion of this study showed that
patients exposed to the odor of orange or lavender experienced less anxiety, a more positive
mood, and a higher level of calmness compared to dental patients who werent. The participants
exposed to music experienced a more moderate version of the effect the odors had. The results
from this study supported the traditional use of odors (from essential oils) as a way to alter
emotional states. More specifically, they supported the hypothesis of using essential oils to
improve the moods of dentistry patients.
While I was scheduling my next check-up at the dentists they asked me if I wanted to
participate in a simple study relating mood and pain. It seemed simple enough, so I agreed. As I
arrived at the office on the day of my scheduled visit, I was made to fill out a questionnaire while
I was in the waiting room. I noticed that the waiting room had an orange scent, which I liked, as I
filled out the questionnaire. I filled out some generic demographic info, a rating of my current
pain/discomfort, a couple questions about any anxiety I perceived to be having, and my mood at
the time. I finished just about the time my dentist called me in, and had a normal routine check-
up. Afterwards, my dentist told me the details of the experiment and its purpose the sent me on
my way.
I feel like the creators of this experiment did a good job making it as unobtrusive as
possible, the participants experience a regular dentist visit. I think that this fact would have
allowed them to include more people in the study if the researches had wanted to. I usually find
myself more anxious than usual when waiting in the dentists office, so participating in an
experiment that would have helped ease that anxiety is appealing to me. While I would have
noticed the orange scent in the reception room, I wouldnt have linked it to the experiment. I bet
that most people would assume the relation between mood and pain would rely on an unaltered
mood, affected only by factors outside the dentistry.