Calm Mind, Peaceful Mood: The Cognitive Effects of Ylang-Ylang Oil Revealed
Floral, exotic, and deeply grounding, ylang-ylang essential oil has long been used to relax the body and soften emotional edges. But what does modern science have to say about its effects on the mind?
A 2008 study published in The International Journal of Neuroscience offers insight into how inhaling the aroma of ylang-ylang influences both cognitive performance and emotional state. In a controlled experiment, participants were exposed to ylang-ylang aroma and then completed a series of mental tasks, while also reporting on their mood and alertness.
The findings were subtle yet meaningful: ylang-ylang significantly increased feelings of calmness and reduced alertness. Participants described feeling more tranquil and at ease, although their reaction times on attention-based tasks slowed slightly. While this might sound like a drawback, the study’s authors note that the decreased mental speed came with enhanced emotional relaxation—suggesting that ylang-ylang may be better suited for winding down than powering through.
These effects align beautifully with ylang-ylang’s traditional use in stress reduction, emotional regulation, and even sleep support. Its lush, heady scent appears to work directly on the limbic system, encouraging the nervous system to shift out of high-alert mode and into a more restful rhythm.
Whether diffused before bed or inhaled during moments of emotional overwhelm, ylang-ylang essential oil invites us to slow down—not to stop thinking, but to think more gently. It’s a reminder that clarity often arrives not through more stimulation, but through a softer state of being.
