There is some interesting research from the Smell & Taste Research and Treatment Foundation that smell can contribute to satiety and weight loss, resulting in a weight loss of as much as 3 pounds in 2 weeks.
The research was prompted by findings that when people lost their smell, they gained between 10 to 20 pounds. The researchers hypothesized that, if people gained weight when they lost the sense of smell, perhaps weight loss could be induced by using certain aromas. Science supports this hypothesis as the olfactory bulb connects with the hypothalamus, which is the satiety center of the brain. Anecdotal evidence also supports that satiety relates to the amount smelled in the process of eating. Similarly, people who work in pizza parlors, or candy factories, aren’t the slightest bit interested in eating those foods, perhaps because they have smelled them all day long.
To test this theory, the Smell & Taste Research and Treatment Foundation gave students plastic tubes filled with a fragrance that they asked them to sniff, three times in each nostril, whenever they felt like eating. At the end of 2 weeks there was an average weight loss of 1.5 pounds. Those who liked the smell lost 3 pounds in 2 weeks.
Essential Oils for Satiety
It is not clear if just smelling oils alone will help you lose weight, but odors can certainly help to satisfy the craving for food. Some of my personal favorite satiety blends include:
- Parasympathetic® – the clove and lime smell is delicious and calming.
- Small Intestine Support™ – this blend for healthy boundaries smells like candy to me. Just smelling it or massaging it into my earlobes seems to assuage my hunger.
- Blood Sugar Balance™ – Designed to help reduce cravings, this blend is my go to when I’m trying to kick coffee.
Featured Oils:
Ready to get started? Click the links below to order today:
- Blood Sugar Balance™ available here
- Parasympathetic® available here
- Small Intestine Support™ available here
Resources:
- http://aromapatch.com/Hirsch_Weight_Loss_Smell.pdf
