By Frauke Galia, 'The Smell Lady,' FALK Aromatherapy

If you’re reading this, chances are you use a room diffuser, or you know someone who does. There are many different types of diffusers, but each one has the aim to disperse scent molecules into the air so we can inhale them. We may use these devices to simply make a room smell good, but increasingly we use them because we want to gain health benefits by improving our mood (i.e. de-stress, reduce anxiety, help us focus) or directly support us with respiratory issues (i.e. cold, flu, allergies).

Diffusers can be extremely beneficial, but there are several important factors that need to be considered when using them. Here are 5 common mistakes I find people making when diffusing fragrances, and what you can do instead:

1. THEY DIFFUSE TOO LONG

One of our body’s main objectives is to protect us from external dangers. Our nose and our sense of smell play a key role as protector. As scent molecules come through the nose and trigger odor receptors, they assess “the situation” and relay the information to our brain. Depending on what it “reads,” our brain initiates appropriate responses to our nervous system. This is how our body, for example, responds to the dangers of smoke or gas.

When we diffuse scent in a room over a long period of time, our nose gets a constant stream of the same odor molecules coming through. To keep our nervous system from exhausting itself with this continuous stimulus, the receptors experience something called olfactive fatigue, also known as temporary sensory fatigue, or olfactory adaptation. Odor receptors stop sending messages to the brain about a lingering odor after a few minutes and instead focus on novel smells - like gas and fire - always keeping a lookout for danger. Olfactory fatigue is actually a good thing; it helps us to get used to smells so that our nervous system doesn’t become overloaded, and we can be ready to respond to new smells.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: Choose a diffuser that gives you control and lets you diffuse for short periods of time: ideally 10-15 minutes, but maximum 30-60 minutes on and 30-60 minutes off. By giving your nose a break, you give your body a break. And you’re going to enjoy smelling the scent more because you’ll be able to smell it better - less olfactive fatigue. You also use less scent, which is good for the wallet and good for the environment.

2. THEY DIFFUSE AT NIGHT WHILE SLEEPING

We read all the time about how helpful certain scents, like lavender, are for helping us sleep. And many people choose to diffuse during the night while they sleep. But you’re probably not getting the benefit you’d like if you diffuse overnight, and here’s why.

At night your body is focused on resting and repairing muscles, organs and other cells. For one, you begin the night in non-REM sleep and spend most of your resting time there. During this time your brain becomes less responsive to the outside world, and it gets harder to wake up. Your thoughts and most body functions slow down. Inhaling odor molecules are not a priority for the body - those lavender molecules are not a priority for the body - they may, in fact, be a distraction.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: if you want the support of scent for sleep, consider using a diffuser with a programming function. Activate your bedroom diffuser 30 minutes before you go to sleep and close the door behind you - ideally watch TV or read in another room - and allow the bedroom to fill with the scent. When you’re ready to go to sleep, the diffuser is off and you peacefully drift off to sleep. Because the room is now filled with the soothing scent (you’ve created this beautiful spa sanctuary), you’ll most likely start to feel calmer and more relaxed just entering the space. The scent has the role of supporting you in preparation for sleep. It leaves the job of restoration and repair during sleep for the body.

3. THEY USE TOO MUCH SCENT

Often people want to add a lot of scent to their diffuser because they believe the scent and the effect will be more impactful. Well, your sense of smell has something called an odor detection threshold which is defined as the most minimal concentration of a substance that can be detected by a human nose. Each person has a different threshold level because it’s dependent on many factors, including genetics, your age, the environment you are in (are other smells a distraction), as well as your health (how strong is your sense of smell). You see, whether you can smell a scent or not, your nose is taking in the molecules, and an effect is being had.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: To keep your body, and especially your nervous system, from being overloaded with odor molecules, it’s safest to use a diffuser that adjusts for the size of your room. And, as stated above, if you stick to small bursts of diffusing, as opposed to continuous, you’ll be able to detect the scent much better.

4. THEY DIFFUSE AROUND PETS IN A CLOSED ROOM

A pet’s sense of smell is much greater than a humans. For example, a dog can smell 15x more than we humans can. Their odor sensations are heightened and when you diffuse in a room, they’re sensing that smell exponentially more than you. Their bodies, like ours, respond to the external stimulus and can get burdened and stressed with overexposure.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: First and foremost, always give your pet an “out”, by leaving a door and/or window open so they can leave the room or provide ventilation. Secondly, test out the scent you want to diffuse around your pet, by diffusing for a brief time and seeing how they respond. Do they move towards you or do they move away? This is their way of speaking to you and letting you know what they like and don’t like. As with humans, use a diffuser with the ability to program diffusion for short periods of time and keep the device as far away from pets as possible.

5. THEY DIFFUSE A LOT WHEN PREGNANT OR AROUND BABIES

It's generally safe to diffuse gentle scents (avoid Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Rosemary) while you're pregnant, as long as you're healthy and you're careful with them. However, avoid using them in the first trimester, if possible. Always remember that fragrances are highly concentrated substances. They’re powerful, so it's important to use them sparingly. And if you are pregnant, or have a small baby, this especially holds true.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO: While pregnant, diffuse a maximum of 5-10 minutes at a time, using the gentlest scent effect possible.  And remember to always have good ventilation. As for newborn babies, the same premise applies.

Frauke Galia is a Certified Professional Aromatherapist, member of the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists and founder of F.A.L.K Aromatherapy. Frauke is passionate about educating and empowering people to engage with their sense of smell and harnessing this under-appreciated sense for our wellbeing. 

photos c/o 9 to 5 Chic.