New Study Shows Anxiety is Not in One Brain Region

 

Until recently, scientists believed that a marble-sized brain area, called the amygdala, served as the hub of fear and anxiety. According to this theory, one would only feel anxiety when signals from the emotional brain overpower the cognitive brain, and into our consciousness. Recent studies have changed that theory. It’s believed now, that no one brain region drives anxiety on its own, but that it results from constant chatter between several brain regions termed “fear network”. For further information on what parts of the brain deal with anxiety, check out: https://www.brainfacts.org/diseases-and-disorders/mental-health/2018/what-part-of-the-brain-deals-with-anxiety-what-can-brains-affected-by-anxiety-tell-us-062918.  

Imagine if you could inhale an essential oil to help quell anxiousness or stress. This may be more of a reality than not. From the above findings, it is easy to speculate that essential oils high in monoterpene compounds can be an excellent choice to safely manage stress, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Essential oils (when diffused) are molecularly small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier, or rather they have a unique ability to penetrate the cell membranes and spread throughout the blood and tissues quickly. This is because essential oils are lipid soluble and very light in molecular weight. This penetration happens through the olfactory system in which the molecules of essential oil when inhaled are transported to the limbic system of the brain quite readily.

Other general therapeutic properties of monoterpenes include anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, decongestant, increase blood circulation, general tonic and stimulating

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