Anxiolytic Terpenoids and Aromatherapy for Anxiety and Depression

Summary & key facts

This 2020 review looks at terpenoids in essential oils and how they might help with anxiety and depression. Animal studies reported that some essential oils and components like linalool reduce anxiety-like behavior. The authors suggest these effects likely come from changes in glutamate and GABA brain signaling. They also note aromatherapy has been used traditionally and may avoid some problems seen with drug treatments, but much of the evidence comes from animal and laboratory work rather than large human trials.

Key facts:

• Article type: a review published in 2020 in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (PMID 32304038, DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-42667-5_11).
• In-vivo animal studies have shown anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects for certain essential oils and their major components, according to the review.
• The authors state that modulation of glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter systems is likely the main mechanism behind the sedative, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties of linalool and linalool-rich essential oils.
• Popular anxiolytic essential oils are reported to be rich in terpenoid alcohols such as linalool, geraniol, and citronellol, and in the monoterpene limonene (or citral).
• The review contrasts aromatherapy with some drug therapies, saying drug treatments can cause delayed effects, abuse, dependence, and tolerance, and that essential oils do not have those disadvantages according to the authors.
• Much of the evidence discussed in the review comes from animal and laboratory studies, not necessarily from large randomized clinical trials in humans.

Abstract

In our society, anxiety and depression are serious health issues that affect a large proportion of the population. Unfortunately, drug therapies are not always effective and can lead to drug abuse, delay of therapeutic effect, dependence, and tolerance. Traditionally, aromatherapy has also been used …

Topics

Advanced Chemical Sensor Technologies Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies

Categories

Life Sciences Neuroscience Sensory Systems

Tags

Alternative medicine Anxiety Anxiolytic Aromatherapy Chemistry Chromatography Essential oil Linalool Medicine Pathology Pharmacology Psychiatry Psychology