Hi,
I have to go super fast today. I am going on a 10 mile hike. It’s going to take a while to complete.
I was thinking about joining this hiking club that’s by me. Well it’s not that close that’s the problem. It’s 60 minutes away and the hikes are like 5 hours which means that it would take almost the entire day. I am not sure yet. Back to the place I am going today.
Actually way at the top of the mountain of where I am going is where I came up with the idea to hire people who have bipolar disorder to work in the organization. That’s was a great decision if I do say so myself because many of the people I hired have helped advanced everything way beyond what I could have done.
Anyway, yesterday I was at a Strongman competition with my friend Rob. He actually took 2nd place and now qualified for Nationals.
He is doing really well. Just wanted to let you know J
Anyway, let’s get into today’s topic. Did you know that certain odors can have a profound effect on your memory, energy and even your mood swings? Even on your overall health in general?
As far as memory, think about it. For example, think about the smell of baby powder. If you have grown children, and you smell baby powder, doesn’t it automatically trigger memories of your children when they were babies? Or if you smell chlorine, don’t you associate it with a swimming pool? An ocean breeze with the beach? The smell of roses with a romantic evening?
Just a whiff of a special scent can trigger a happy, magical memory.
But today, neuroscientists are learning that our sense of smell is worth more than just remembering pleasant memories.
What does this have to do with bipolar disorder?
New research shows that it can lower our stress levels and even help with insomnia, both of which are problems for people who have bipolar disorder. There is even some research that shows that our sense of smell can help us lose weight, and many people with bipolar disorder struggle with weight because of some bipolar medications which make you gain weight.
Now, some people accuse me of being against natural remedies for bipolar disorder, and my stand is pretty sure.
I am against natural CURES, since there is NO cure for bipolar disorder. I am pretty protective of the people who read my courses and materials, website material and emails, so I always try to make sure they know the truth. Just be careful to read the small print.
Natural herbs and remedies, etc., like fragrances, are ok, if they help you (always IN ADDITION TO medication).
In fact, in my courses/systems, I talk about natural herbs and remedies and alternative forms of therapy such as aromatherapy:
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The process is complex. But researchers recently discovered how a particular fragrance can change your mood.
In a brand-new study from Ohio State University, they exposed subjects to two fragrances – lavender, which is known to have a calming effect, and lemon – which many studies have shown to be invigorating.
Subjects were then told to sniff these fragrances before and after a mildly stressful event (in this case, after putting a foot in freezing water). In the tests that followed, scientists uncovered ‘robust evidence that lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood.’
In fact, blood levels of an energizing hormone, norepinephrine, spiked and stayed high for the subjects who smelled the lemony scent, while the subjects who smelled the lavender got no boost.
In an Austrian study, researchers had some participants smell oranges while others smelled lavender. The two groups felt less anxious, more positive, and calmer when compared with participants who were exposed to no fragrance at all.
Aromatherapy is a big deal these days, making all kinds of claims about lowering stress levels. I’m not a scientist or anything, but if it helps, let me know!
Hey, I have to go and get to my starting point.
I am going to post some photos tomorrow. 2 weeks ago I saw a bear. I have pictures but can’t figure out how to get them out of my phone to post so you can see them. I will in the next few days.
David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
Post responses below
David , You doing a special job.My x-husband had dibeties 2 and I picked up addt smptoms…..
He did hit his head against the wall and told me he was afaid because he can’t control it..could he have had Bipolar….If I knew more could it saved our marriedge. I went through 7 operations in 16 months could that stress trigger things off?
Dear David, Thank you very much for the Bipolar information that helps me understand better and handle better the people in my family that are affected with this disorder.I look foward to your very suportive emails every day.Take care.Carol
Dave,
I enjoy your Blog very much. I have a brother who I have adored all my life. I am now 53 and he is 59. I am a very soft hearted, compassionate person, he never has been! I always wanted to go with him, be with him and just be loved by him. He just did not feel the same. As I got older, I resigned myself to the fact that he simply liked nothing about me . . . . that is until he lost his 22 year old son, as the result of a horrible car crash. He reached out to me as he hit rock bottom and for whatever reason, I just knew he was suffering from more than just grief and depression. He was given an antidepressant . . . that made his situation WORSE! A bell went off in my head. I had read about something recently, what was it????? I went to the computer and there glaring at me was my brother’s symptoms SINCE AGE 16!!!! HE IS BIPOLAR. Thank God!! Sound silly, maybe to some but to me it explained everything. He is a textbook model for this disorder.
He understands what he has to do, and WANTS to “get his head on straight” as he puts it.
I am so grateful for finding your Blog. It has helped me communicate better with him and we are on the right path to getting him better.
From: A Grateful Little Sister
this is not in regards to sense of smell more to the sense of the compassion issue..my x has bipolar disorder for a couple of weeks he blocked my emails which was fine but i still think i can help him in some way..welllll after yesterday i think i have had enough. i told him that since we have the kids we should try harder to get along..he totally agreed telling me he was going thru a rough time he had gotten badly sunburned and he has skin problems so it was really bad and he got a rash…. I told him things we use after a sunburn to take out the pain got on line and checked different things that were suggested to do to make him more comfortable …..next thing you know he he using big letters telling me that the court case and his money were being abused by me…our son is 21 just turned …his money is taken from his paychecks because he cant be trusted to pay me alimony or child support so the ny child support agency takes it out…they read the court papers they know what they are doing who am i to question them. so he start going on about that’s it he’s calling his lawyer on monday and we’re going to court…for what? and why is he threatening me over the email waves! he also has an income tax form to be signed he waited a year to send 2006 in so when 2007 came around he had to get the first one in …he was supposed to send me the whole copy showing what portion i would be receiving but he didnt he is mad i gave it to the law office and wants me to sign the papers and he’ll pay me…..this is a man who had the checks in the past electronically signed and gave me a pin number i have no control over my half…. it needed to go to the law office to insure i got it. so even though he is 6 hours away he still feels he can be threatening and nasty….. i have always tried to be supportive but i have always found that he saw it as vulnerability and would get worse. so for now i can have his emails bounced back and stay away from him…his family can be there for him even though they all have a history of depression and bipolarism …..his new girlfriends can be there for him even though they dont know what he has because he keeps it a secret.. I never knew till i was married to him for 7 years ..he has never gone to a therapist to try to understand what he feels or what he has…i have done this for now 27 years one of them separated then other divorced from and until his abuse doesnt matter to me or hurt anymore then maybe but for now i have to protect me.. i hate to turn my back on him but he doesnt want my help anyway its like it makes his weekends complete like when we were married if he can bate me into an arguement..i’m to tired to play anymore.
Thank you David. I appreciate your emails. My partner has bi-polar (we live in the UK). It is a very isolating process to be the partner of someone who I love so much, when his behaviour is so hurtful at times. We are both psychotherapists but all our training and experience seems irrelevant at times. Your emails are useful, in that they remind me, that his behaviour is down to his illness (and he is on medication). At the same time, I also think that you cannot just blame the illness and get away with unacceptable behaviours – surely he has to take some responsiblity too.
So, that’s where I am at the moment – trying to find a balance between illness and personal responsibility.
Warm wishes
Karen
This is really helping both myself and my partner understand his bipolar issues. We both have issues with insomnia (I have anxiety disorder and depression, great mix to deal with bipolar lol) and we often find lavender soothing at night. I will definitely try lemon to help as the tiniest thing can trigger my anxiety (which in turn can send hubby down).
Thanks for all your emails and the insight
The aroma therapy sound promising. I have found that the combination of strength training and some cardio work is helpful. Perhaps more people should try this combination. Any type of exercise is better than none whether it is yoga or soccer or some intermural sport at your local YMCA or YWCA. I know you go to the gym because you always speak highly of it in your column. Thanks.
Damon
I just wanted to say that aromatherapy works for me. I have a bottle of lavender oil in my purse and when I get nervous I smell that. It doesn’t completely work all the times, but sometimes it calms me down from stressful situations. I haven’t tried the lemon oil, but after that article, I am curious about it. Well, I like getting these articles in my email, they are very helpful. Keep up the good work.
Hi Dave,
I loved this… and I since I am an OSU grad I was really excited that the research came out of OSU. You know that makes sense…. you were speaking about lemons and that always takes me back to Amalfi where they are know for their lemons and are surrounded by lemon trees. I hope you have a great hiking trip and thank you so much for all the information that you have provided and taught me. You know do you ever say it’s ok for divorce? I’d like to know your opinion on that… I think that it is important to realize that at times that may be the only alternative. Also in regards to aroma therapy you know there is so much we don’t know and this does not suprise me… I can see that would make a difference…. 🙂
I have just recently found this wonderful blog that helps me cope with being diagnosed with bi-polar. There are times when I just felt it’s not worth it to get out of bed. Yet there are times I get up early to see my roomate off to work so I can start with all the projects I have planned for that day. Never does it work out though, I’ll be doing 10 things at a time. Never even finishing a single one. Even though the Dr’s and I feel that the meds I’m on seem to do the trick. I’m just tired of having hypo-manic and mild depression bouts. Your articles and comments have gave me hope that there might be hope at the end of the tunnel. Thank you for all that you are doing. Terri
We used to use Aromatherapy as part of the protocol for “activity” therapy for seniors in skilled nursing facilities way back in the 70’s!!!
More research on the effect of odors and the sense of smell, particularly as treatment would be so excellent!
What I’ve observed – impossible not to notice! – is with my husband’s BP, his sense of smell would be on either extremes. It would either appear to be almost non-existent, to a point, that he didn’t recognize or couldn’t smell normal, everyday odors, or it would go to the other extreme, and everyday odors seemed way too strong to him. As an example, at one point, he couldn’t stand the smell of coffee, so much I moved the coffee pot downstairs. Then, later, that odor wasn’t a problem, so I moved the coffee pot back up.
The thing about odors and BP, I would wonder if one smell worked like lavender, or lemon, if that very smell, at another time, would then become too potent. If indeed there was one odor that would work consistently, we’d have it made! Maybe someone with BP could enlighten us to what they’ve experienced with odors too.
Think I’ll go put some lemon in my tea! LOL
David,
If you want to get the pictures from the phone, all you need to do is e-mail them to your e-mail address if you have that feature, then send them as an attachment in your e-mail letter.
By the way I do think that certain aromas can trigger soothing effects on the senses. But, what happens if a person has lost their sense of smell?
I believe that meditation, yoga, stretching, and positive affirmation pay a crucial part in the stability of bipolar and just over-all mental clarity.
I wish that I was as outgoing as you are. Seems that you are always staying active physically and mentally. It’s very encouraging. Especially when you still take time out of your busy schedule to voice your concern with so many things that helps so many people to feel better and get the help they need.
God Bless You!
all i can say is thank you ever 1 4 sharing it helps everybody
i 4 got the y
I agree with the sense of smell affecting our mood.
I become very depressed when I open my father’s desk drawer. He’s been deceased for over six years. There is a certain odor that comes from the desk and when I smell it I become very sad and often cry, so I immediately close the drawer. It brings back memories, which are extremely painful, even now. I still have unopened boxes of his belongings that remain closed. It is just too painful, even after six years.
I felt so bad for my Mom, who lost her sense of smell for 12 years before she died. She had used/abused nasal inhalants for her sinuses. And she, loving the scent of her beloved flowers!
I agree with aromatherapy; lavender DOES have a basis in fact for calming those who are anxious. Though I’ve never really tried treatment with scents, this email has motivated me to do so. Thank you, Dave, for a very informative email.
May God bless all those with bipolar dlsorder, and those who love us.
I have not heard of this for those struggling with that problem. I would like to have my sister try it out, but she can’t have pollen around her, as it causes her problems. So I don’t know whether this will be of help to her or not. But might ask at the very least if she can manage anything of this nature in a scent that might be of help to her. Hope that it will. I can’t manage too much in the scent area, as I tend to sneeze or have a nose that won’t stop dripping. So it wouldn’t be that much help in my house, though I do try to have scents that are acceptable to what I can handle just for general healthiness at the home .
I have a friend who is bipolar and there are times he just gets really mad at me for the least little thing and its so hard some times to show compassion to him when he’s mad and in his mood of cutting me down and screaming at me ,he forgets his medacation alot and I know that has a negative effect on his mood but some times, he says stuff that is hurtful and really mean and I have tried to just show more compassion and just love him and remember the good and kind loving days that he isn’t mean but lately, his words and actions hurt really bad and when I get your email Dave and I read stories about other people facing the same things that i am with my bipolar friend ,It really helps alot and I love the work and research you have put into this to help me and so many other people who have friends and family with bipolar.Please remember us both in your prayers if you pray.
Thank you so much for all you do.
I love your website information. I am 39 and have had bipolar all my life but didn’t find out until 8 years ago. I was on seizure medication when I was younger because of epilepsy so it masked my symptoms and when I outgrew the epilepsy my bipolar got worse. Well, two marriages later and losing two children because of mybipolar being used against me, I now have another wonderful husband and two beautiful children. The scent study I can totally see working, because scents have always worked to calm my moods, candles and aromatherapy is so important for my moods. I am balanced on medication but occasionally my moods still swing so it is great to have extra helping tips. Your website is awesome. Keep it up. Bipolar supporter in Georgia!
Hi David and All,
I love essential oils (aromatherapy) and have personally found benefits in using them in my daily life.
Anyone interested in using them needs to be aware of some things:
1) Safety first, get a good book on essential oils and educate yourself.
They are potent in concentrated form.
2) Never take essential oils internally, if you don’t understand what you
are doing, may be toxic.
3) In general, most essential oils need to be diluted before use on the
skin. Some even give a bad reaction on your skin in combination
with sunlight, even when diluted.
4) Make certain you are buying your essential oils from a reputable
manufacturer (no, I do not sell or manufacture them).
I am not an expert, so I am still learning what I can. I am not sure or saying they are a cure all, but I have found they can enhance life and make some trying situations better. It has been well worth my time to learn what I can and continue doing so.
There is a lot more to essential oils than meets the nose. Even though they are potent, used properly they work very gently to relieve many everyday type physical symptoms within the body. There is actually a pattern. Each essential oil works mainly to improve a specific body system. You know like digestive, respiratory, circulatory, immunity, etc…not only your moods. When used properly there are no side effects. Of course, when you have symptoms not relieved by essential oils, you should go to the Dr.
Just make sure you are buying a theraputic grade, not the stuff they sell in the fragrance isle at your grocery store or some gift shop. The label on the bottle should have the plant oil’s latin name and the bottle will usually be amber colored, not clear as sunlight will destroy the oil’s potency.
I hope this helped someone.
Vicky
Dear Mr. Oliver, I subscribe to your weekly email newsletter & quite look forward to them! The reason that I’m contacting you is to inquire as to whether or not you ever donate your Master’s Course; I’m a 57 y/o single mother w/ bipolar, & am currently struggling to care fo my 23 y/o son, living @ home, who also has bipolar. On SSI, I no longer have any family to request a loan from, nor any friends either. I’m having an extremely difficlut time. I think that your Master’s Course (because it has the most available information)would/could be very helpful for me, but there’s no way on God’s green earth that I HAVE the $$ to purchase it, even @ $100 each month, nor any hope that I WILL have it anytime in the near (distant) future. If you cannot, are unable to, please know that it’s just fine, I DO understand. One can not make a living giving their products away; but Jesus said, “you have not…because you ask not”. The worst that can happen is that you will say no, & I’m anticipating that, anyway. Either way, you will still be Blessed for all that you have done, & continue to do, for people like us. Warmly, Kiana.
David,
I’m myself one of those who are suffering from Bipolar. I’m 54 now. I had some energetic time few years back. Now, I feel like a vegetable. Your writings bring to me that hundreds of others are like me. Also the notes give me more knowledge about handling this debilitating illness. I hope I can also help few others who could not access your notes.
Waiting to read more,
Regards
vijaya
Dear David & all,
Thank you for all the articles, advise and all the stories that you have shared in your websites really helpful. Hope you will still continue giving your best to encourage others that needed. All the best
Dear Dave, Thank you for hangin in ande passing it on. Some people THINK I am bipolar but not one of my diagnosis has confirmed that. Now I AM ANXIOUS DEPRESSED AND ARGUMENTATIVE. I just had an M. R.I Three days later I still have a rash and am very short tempered. I also ME-CFID. ONE PSYCHIATRIST THAT i SAW FOR A FEW YEARS IN cALIFORNIA SAID i WAS JUST A NICE NEUROTIC. i DO NOT HAVE AN ON BUTTON W/OUT cONCERTTA, ADDERAL WORKS THE BEST. uNFORTUNATLY nORTH dAKOTA HAS the mentality of those involdd wiwth the Salem Witch trials when it comes to medical care. I am also a chronic pain patient and everyone I have seen is agast when the see my meds for pain from California. I had a very competent Pain doctor. Here they must think I made up my own regamin. I am too tired to continu. Fondly. MEREDITH Meredith
thnx david….hav a gd hike and a great time…lookin 4 ward to reading all u can tell me.
Regards collin l hunter
When trying to find a way to feel better in the office I was given a set of “The Healing Garden” 6 little bottles of oil. I use a humidifier in the office to keep my allergy prone nose from too much irritation. So I tried the oils in my humidifier (real basic, no germ killer, no lights and sirens). I found that the green tea oil made me feel so much more clear headed in the office. Alas, “The Healing Garden” oils are no longer made. So I am in search of a new green tea oil.
thanks dave your publication really help alOt GOD BLESS
Great!! AND there are bonuses….lemons and oranges(the real items) also have very vibrant uplifting colours and boost wellbeing when eaten!!!
Citrus and lavenders make great (outdoor)potplants, are both drought tolerant but citrus may need some protection from frosts.
There are other citrus fruits such as cumquats, tangerines, mandarines and grapefruits to try/add and there are also other plants with ‘lemon-like’ scents within their leaves when crushed, such as lemon grass, lemon scented Eucalypt(Eucalyptus citriodora), lemon myrtle( Backhousia citriodora) and many other herbs, so try growing some if they could help.
hi david thank you for that bit on ”sense of smell” for the first time i will whole heartedly agree with you.i am a bipola mummy and it’s very difficult for me to ”feel” good, resentlyi got a perfume thats somewhat spicyand other mixtures that makes me instantly feel “lighter”(in a better mood). many times i would just spray some on me just for the hek of it (to feel good).that thing about the lemon oil, i gotta try that. thanks david.
enjoy your hike. please be careful!!
mags
I was away and have just begun to read through your messages. I want to thank you very much for all the time and effort you put into your correspondence.
I am 32 years old and I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder approximately 15-17 years ago. Back when there was only one type of bipolar disorder and most of the population had never even heard of it. As much information that I have gained over the years, it will never be enough. There will always be new data, statistics and coping strategies.
I think your information will be very helpful to me. As I just was just recently was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. If you didn’t already know, there are many symptoms that are very much like those of bipolar disorder.
I’m sorry I wasn’t able to read your e-mails prior to July 16. My loss I suppose. I look forward to your e-mails and being a member of this blog.
That was interesting about the scents. I have always used scents. Consequently, my daughter does too. She was always trying on my perfumes from the time she was a child. She also uses scents, candles, etc. arounds the house all the time. We even used to sniff hairspray, shampoos, anything that has a scent to make sure it smelled good. I believe it helps her immensely, although it doesnt really impact her manic spells. By the way, I wasn’t reading your emails for awhile because I got very depressed when my daughter got sent to Juvenile for 2 weeks. Horrors! And I feel so bad because I’m on disability for medical reasons and those checks just don’t cover our cost of living. The checks I’m getting for supposed to be just for me; I’m getting a little more for my daughter and a little more disability for her bipolar as well. I would love to buy your info, but I just can’t. But thank you so much for the info you’re able to share. At least I don’t feel so alone regarding her bipolar ups-and-downs!
You know what they say about Men Like ourselves (exactly at 2:04, I just had an epiphany, you cant wipe the smile off of my face.
My personal favorite scent is Midnight Sky by victoria secret. I love sniffing women that smell like that!
My daughter can’t help swinging from the Chandeliers – she also attracts men like Dad – they love sweet women!
I get paid to people watch at the parks! woo hoo
I’ve had recurrent desseprion for decades, sometimes lasting a month or two, sometimes a year or more. The worst for me is how much my desseprion hurts on the inside, how much it makes me loathe and hate myself — but that’s the desseprion screwing up the chemicals, the neurotransmitters, in my brain and telling me lies. It really makes me feel hopeless, though, makes me beat myself in the head. The most recent episode, Depression led me to go shopping for a weapon because I just didn’t think I could hold on any longer. I decided to go into the hospital because I knew I would die if I didn’t. This was last year, after 3 years of worsening desseprion, despite meds and therapy and all. I’m healthy now. though, and glad I’m alive. It is, indeed, crucial to remember that you will feel better someday and that the negative messages your brain tells you are NOT true. And to keep asking for help when things are bad. Was this answer helpful?