From: Anders Sandberg (asa@nada.kth.se)
Date: Fri Aug 27 1999 - 05:53:20 MDT
jmcasey@pacific.net.sg writes:
> >I actually tried scenting my textbook in probability theory lavender
> >many years ago. It didn't help much. :-)
>
> Does it work because the molecules making up the aromas are of a
>similar shape to certain neurotransmitters?
No. The odorants bind to receptors in the nasal ceiling and produce
electrical signals that are processed by the olfactory system. As far
as I know no odorants smell because they imitate neurotransmitters.
>And if so, does aromatherapy exist
>because it's cheaper than synethesising the neurotransmitters
>themselves?
It exists because people like pleasant smells, smells definitely
affect our mood and memory (cf. Marcel Proust's work) and it is rather
natural to use smells to affect people. No neurotransmittor
similarities were intended.
-- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Sandberg Towards Ascension! asa@nada.kth.se http://www.nada.kth.se/~asa/ GCS/M/S/O d++ -p+ c++++ !l u+ e++ m++ s+/+ n--- h+/* f+ g+ w++ t+ r+ !y
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