Scent and mood are so deeply entwined. In part due to how powerful our sense of smell is and how quickly it can put us in a particular moment and evoke the feeling of that time.

And partly due to how we are built as humans. Our sense of smell keeps us safe, and it is programmed to react to things like fresh air and the smell of grass and create a sense of well-being and awe.

Think about it, just for a moment. Try to think about the air in fall, crisp yet cool, damp leaves, spiced air. The petrichor when rain hits the pavement on almost uncomfortably hot days in summer, electric, industrial and rich. Or what about the rich scent of jasmine hanging in the air on late summer evenings, thick and completely intoxicating?

Switching to edible delights now, the smell of warm bread wafting its way around your home. Creamy hot chocolate steam curls up into the air. Or the bright, mouth-watering moment an orange is peeled open, and the juice springs into the air.

Powerful.

They are all very different scents, but all evoke an emotion or a memory.

The Science Behind Scent and Mood

According to Dr. Rachel S. Hertz, author of The Scent of Desire, scent works on us like a drug. Fragrance lovers are probably well aware of the ‘addiction’ to their favorite scent.

She says that for a smell to impact us, we must already associate it with a feeling. Linked events, past experiences - but also anecdotes from others.

Learned and emotional context influences how we perceive odors. As Rachel put it, one man’s meat is another man’s poison.

An interesting quote:

“Downstream from how odors influence our moods is the way that moods influence how we think (cognition) and how we act (behavior). In terms of cognition, mood has been shown to influence creativity with the typical finding that people in a positive mood exhibit higher levels of creativity than individuals in a bad mood. Odors can also produce the same effects. When people were exposed to an odor they liked creative problem solving was better than it was when they were exposed to an unpleasant odor condition.” Source

All of that power can be harnessed with the right fragrance.

The Impact of Color Theory on Fragrance

“Fragrance and color echo one another.” Charles Baudelaire.

When you think of citrus fragrances - do you think of oranges and yellows? Maybe the juicy pink middle of a grapefruit?

If we say woody fragrances - are you thinking of browns and earthy tones?

The two are linked so profoundly, and fragrance brands understand that. This is why, with a simple glass bottle but a rich red background – you already have an idea of what to expect, something heady, warm, spicy and romantic.

Change it for white, black, green - any color, and you’re probably pretty close to knowing a couple of the notes. We associate colors with smells with emotions.

(Blue - can be a fresh, marine scent; pink - white floral scent; red - roses, maybe?)

This association between color and scent is why you’ll often see anything related to relaxation in purple or purple-toned blues like lavender. Energy or refresh is usually green or yellow, like nature or citrus. Romance tends to be rich and deep red with hot, warm, or spicy scents. And so on.

This brings us back to the main point: what are the best notes for lifting your mood?

Best Mood-Lifting Fragrance Notes

With scents being able to give us a release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine (which is why Rachel compared scent to a drug), they are incredibly powerful. It also means that personal preferences have one of the most significant impacts on us. That said, some notes work for most people.

Vanilla, a good quality rich vanilla, is known to be a comforting, cozy scent.
Lavender has long been associated with relaxation and is often recommended for people who may be anxious and need a calm moment.
Bergamot can boost your energy thanks to its fresh, sparkling, and zesty smell.
Orange and tangerine are uplifting; according to Lush Perfumer, Alina Gilwinska offers a sweet, zesty pick-me-up.
Sandalwood or Clove buds are warm and grounding and known for being calming.

You don’t need to rely solely on a single fragrance to achieve the mood you are looking for. We recently covered fragrance layering, and here is an area where it shines.

Which Fragrances Have These Notes?

Using the search on Fragplace.com, you’ll find all these notes and the perfect scent for you to test next. In the meantime, here are some fragrances that boost these notes.

Vanilla

Lavender

Lavenders more on the herbal side, and less on the linen side:

Orange & Tangerine

Sandalwood

You can bring in multiple elements—aromatherapy oils on pulse points, room sprays, candles, and one or more fragrances. All with a note in common, to make the most of the mood-boosting potential.

What scent is one that instantly makes you happy?