The odours were chosen to be representative of stuff that is found all over the world, from sweaty feet to ripe fruits, and the results were published in the journal Current Biology. And the most popular smell was… vanilla! That's right.
They found that most people, despite coming from different cultures and backgrounds, find vanilla to be the most pleasant smell on the planet more often than not.
And according to the results, vanilla is the most pleasing smell around, followed by ethyl butyrate, which smells like peaches.
Clean and invigorating, the tangy scent of citrus, such as lemon, lime, orange, lemongrass, and red grapefruit gives men that fresh-out-of-the-shower scent, a smell that many women find appealing. Just don't overdo it, or you might smell like the produce department!
'It seems it's the homely smells that are most popular with bacon, bread and freshly cut grass at the top of the list - all things that can help make a house more warm and welcoming.
A common blend for relaxation is lavender and chamomile, which has been found to reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Everyone has their own response to different smells, so trying a few different scents or blends of essential oils can help you find the most relaxing ones for you.
Orange, grapefruit, and lemon are all energizing and uplifting scents," says Cynthia LaBonte, aromatherapist and herbalist at Newport Aromatherapy. "We associate citrus with cleanliness. Their top notes go straight up the sinuses to the head and make us feel better, fitter, and even more confident and in control."
Peppermint: The cooling scent of mint can leave you feeling invigorated, happy, and ready to tackle your next workout. Getting a whiff of peppermint essential oil can reduce stress, anxiety, exhaustion, and irritability -- those familiar sappers of happiness -- and boost your energy, according to Live Strong.
There are three scents that can wake you up: jasmine, which increases beta waves (the brain waves associated with alertness), and citrus and peppermint scents, which stimulate the same nerve that's activated when you're revived with smelling salts.
The best ones to help foster relaxation and sleep are Lavender, Chamomile, Bergamot, Jasmine, Rose and Sandalwood. Normally you dab a bit on your wrists, rub them together and take a bunch of deep breaths, or you can add them to your bath or release the scent by buying candles with those oils.
Researchers from Wheeling Jesuit University performed a study and found that participants who took a whiff of cinnamon improved cognitive functions such as visual-motor response, working memory and attention span.
Lavender is one of the most popular aromatherapy oils. It has a sweet floral scent with a woody or herbal undertone. Lavender oil can be used to calm anxiety. It also has a sedative effect and may help with sleep troubles, including if feelings of stress or anxiety are keeping you up at night.
Lavender
This oil helps to calm your mind, which helps provide mental clarity. Also, studies show that lavender can affect the nervous system to help with neurological disorders, as well as increase alertness.
Her research and experiments indicate people do not respond to odours while they are in the dreaming phase of sleep (REM) or deep sleep. "You cannot smell while you are asleep," she says.
Tangerine, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint
Tangerine is great for motivation, but all three of these scents can improve mental focus and discipline. Nest's Sicilian Tangerine Classic line is a great choice for capturing the senses. Fragrances are amazing tools for success and productivity.
Essential oils useful to assist with personal coping, mental healing, and recovery include Rose Geranium, Patchouli, Basil Sweet, Peppermint, and Lemon, in additional to oils such as Lavender, Ylang-Ylang, and Bergamot which can support general mental health.
A 2016 study took a close look at how the brain processes sounds while you're sleeping. They found that during light sleep, such as during short naps or when you're first falling asleep, you are still processing the things you're hearing. You can even hear and process words that you hear while you're in light sleep.
Scientists recently overturned the assumption that smell sensitivity is a fixed trait. In fact, your smelling capabilities differ according to the time of day. Your internal sleep-awake cycle operates under control of the master clock in the brain, the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
As a whole, citrus scents boost alertness, increase energy and can help you wake up. Lemon in particular is an excellent choice if you're looking for energy and focus. Whether you're feeling keyed up or run down, lemon will promote feelings of clarity and calmness.