Feeling stressed in office? Now, you can try out a new spray which gives instant relief. Researchers claim just by inhaling the green fresh aroma of a forest it reduces the effect of stress on nervous system, largely by smelling like cut grass.
A team at Queensland University has developed the new ‘eau de grass’ spray, Serenascent, which smells like cut grass and can make the wearer happier and less stressed.
According to the researchers, the spray is based on scientific proof that when grasses and green leaves are cut at least five chemicals containing stress-relieving properties are released.
Lead researcher Dr Nick Lavidis, who first had the idea for Serenascent on a memorable trip to Yosemite National Park in America more than 20 years ago, said its aroma worked directly on the brain, in particular the emotional and memory parts known as the amygdala and the hippocampus.
“These two areas form the limbic system that controls the sympathetic nervous system. They are responsible for the flight or fight response and the endocrine system, which controls releasing of stress hormones like corticosteroids.”
The new spray appears to regulate these areas. There are two types of stress. The first is when one is about to perform something or one is to know that things are going to go well. The former is acute stress and the latter refers to a good form of stress.
“Bad stress is chronic stress and is associated with an increase in blood pressure, forgetfulness and a weakening of the immune system,” he said.