Int J Neurosci January 2003 PMID 12690999

Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults.

Mark Moss, Jenny Cook, Keith Wesnes, Paul Duckett

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Mentions

473

Peak: 1 in Jan 2019

across 6 sources since Jan 2019

Extended reach

64,332

potential audience

Total likes

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Jan 2019 – Dec 2025

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reveal a strong interest in the potential cognitive and mood effects of essential oils, with users quoting specific insights like 'improved memory' or warning that it 'can cause memory issues', and the tone ranges from curiosity to caution, indicating both engagement and awareness of the nuanced impacts.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the findings, highlighting how rosemary and lavender influence cognition and mood, with some emphasizing specific effects like improved memory or mood alteration.

InterestHigh interest

The discussion shows high interest, as people reference scientific studies and express curiosity about aromatherapy's effects on mental performance.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants demonstrate moderate engagement, referencing detailed study outcomes, mentioning terms like 'memory issues' or 'brain booster', indicating deeper contemplation beyond surface reactions.

ImpactModerate impact

While there is recognition of potential cognitive benefits, the overall impact appears moderate, with some users skeptical about the real-world significance or possible negative effects, such as memory issues.

Abstract in brief

The study investigated how the smells of lavender and rosemary essential oils affect thinking and mood in healthy adults, finding that lavender impaired some cognitive functions while rosemary improved others.
Lavender scent led to worse performance in working memory and slowed reaction times, whereas rosemary enhanced overall memory quality but made memory tasks slightly slower.
Mood assessments showed rosemary increased alertness and contentment compared to lavender and no-odor control, suggesting these scents can influence both mental performance and feelings.

Read the full abstract

All mentions

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Recep Somuncu

@Recepsamuncu1 · X

Sep 12, 2025 · 4 likes · 52,884 followers View post →

Biohack Yourself Media

@biohackyourself · X

Your spice rack might be hiding a potent brain booster. In a peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience (Moss et al., 2003; DOI: 10.1080/00207450390161903), researchers found that inhaling the aroma of rosemary essential oil could improved memory https://t.co/daSs9FB6bJ

Jun 3, 2025 · 346 followers View post →

TrybeLeaf

@trybeleaf · X

May 17, 2025 View post →

Rovsz

@rovszil · X

İleri okuma isteyenler için: https://t.co/5F985qzbAG

Sep 25, 2024 · 241 followers View post →

5HEAD

@5Head4Pro · X

Studien zu Inhaltsstoffen Rosmarin: https://t.co/Ww2eimKSgv https://t.co/cvBlurGHie Zitrone: https://t.co/oWE9Cx2jj2 Grapefruit: https://t.co/EA91M8jho6

Nov 23, 2023 · 1 like · 1,174 followers View post →

Teofilo Ruiz Arteta

@toruizart · X

Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults https://t.co/fqrNQRbXpW

Apr 4, 2023 · 686 followers View post →

@GBtablereads · X

@WriteGrlProbs It can cause memory issues. https://t.co/12E7Wh8BQt

Mar 2, 2022 · 1 like · 1,109 followers View post →

kanimiso

@kanimiso_1187 · X

Sep 18, 2021 · 1 like · 69 followers View post →

Honami

@honamiherb · X

ローズマリー精油の記憶力、認知機能に対する効果 https://t.co/aWHWPVQH77

Nov 3, 2020 · 1 like · 48 followers View post →

andrey64

@Las64Andrey64 · X

https://t.co/VHqajTmdQZ - Это исследование было разработано для оценки обонятельного воздействия эфирных масел лаванды (Lavandula angustifolia) и... https://t.co/VHqajTmdQZ

Feb 28, 2019 · 5 followers View post →

Giorgio Pitzalis MD. PdD. Roma 06809641

@GiorgioPitzalis · X

(PDF) Aromas of rosemary and lavender essential oils differentially affect cognition and mood in healthy adults https://t.co/9fYeEUkXf7

Jan 1, 2019 · 644 followers View post →