Green Odor Reduces Stress Responses in Healthy Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Oka Takakazu, Hayashida Sota, Kaneda Yuko, Takenaga Masaki, Tamagawa Yoko, Tsuji Sadatoshi, Hatanaka Akikazu
Primary Institution: University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
Hypothesis
Does green odor have an anti-stress effect in humans?
Conclusion
Green odor has an anti-stress effect in healthy humans by reducing cardiovascular responses to stress.
Supporting Evidence
- 79% of participants found the green odor pleasant.
- Green odor reduced the increase in blood pressure during a cold pressor test.
- The study is the first to show an anti-stress effect of green odor in humans.
Takeaway
Smelling green odor can help people feel less stressed and lower their heart rate and blood pressure when they're under stress.
Methodology
The study involved two experiments with healthy adults measuring cardiovascular responses to green odor and a vehicle under stressful and non-stressful conditions.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and only included healthy normotensive adults.
Participant Demographics
Nineteen healthy normotensive adults (8 in experiment 1, 11 in experiment 2) aged 21-48 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website