Hi,<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For example, think about the smell of baby powder. If you have grown children, and you smell<\/p>\n
baby powder, doesn’t it automatically trigger memories of your children when they were babies?<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
a happy, magical memory.<\/p>\n
But today, neuroscientists are learning that our sense of smell is worth more than just remembering pleasant memories.<\/p>\n
So what does this have to do with bipolar disorder?<\/p>\n
Well, 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.<\/p>\n
Now, some people accuse me of being against natural remedies for bipolar disorder, and my<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
emails, so I always try to make sure they know the truth. Just be careful to read the small print.<\/p>\n
Natural herbs and remedies, etc., like fragrances, are ok, if they help you (always IN ADDITION<\/p>\n
TO medication, and never IN PLACE OF it).<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 lavender, which is known to have a calming effect, and lemon \u2013 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 \u201crobust evidence that lemon oil reliably enhances positive mood.\u201d 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 scent<\/p>\n
got no boost.<\/p>\n
In an Austrian study, researchers had some participants smell oranges while others smelled<\/p>\n
lavender. The two groups felt less anxious, more positive, and calmer when compared with participants who were exposed to no fragrance at all.<\/p>\n
Aromatherapy is a big deal these days, making all kinds of claims about lowering stress levels.<\/p>\n
Like I said, I\u2019m not against aromatherapy in itself. I\u2019m only against natural CURES (because there is none), remedies, therapies, etc. that claim to have healing properties or tell you to go<\/p>\n
off your regularly prescribed medication for bipolar disorder.<\/p>\n
Something like aromatherapy, which has been shown to help people with bipolar disorder<\/p>\n
(as in the use of lavender I was telling you about), can help you as long as you use it<\/p>\n
IN ADDITION TO your regularly prescribed medication.<\/p>\n
You should still always check with your doctor first.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi,<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For example, think about the smell of baby powder. If you have grown children, and you smell<\/p>\n
baby powder, doesn’t it automatically trigger memories of your children when they were babies?<\/p>\n
Or if you smell chlorine,<\/p>\n