Do essential oils work without a sense of smell? Aromatherapy and anosmia
Why aromatic molecules do their work – even when you can’t smell them
This week I gave a training for employees at the CJI: “AI-proof your brain” – a programme where we do exercises to strengthen your nervous system and make your brain more resilient in a world full of digital stimuli. We worked with breathing exercises, conscious breaks, and of course – essential oils.
And then came the questions.
Two participants asked the same question: they have no sense of smell. One from an accident, the other from a viral infection. And they wondered: “If I can’t smell the oils, do they still have an effect on my nervous system?”
The beautiful thing is: I get this question regularly. Through my app, in trainings, from clients who wonder whether they should still be using those little bottles now that they’ve lost their sense of smell (temporarily or permanently).
And my answer is always the same: Yes. Essential oils still work. Even without scent.
But I understand that you want to know why and how.
So let me give you the science.
Download your free Scent Training Protocol here →
The 3 pathways of essential oils: scent is just one of them
When you use essential oils, there are three ways they enter your body and do their work:
1. AROMATIC – Through your nose to your brain
This is what most people know: you smell lavender, you feel calmer.
The aromatic molecules travel through your olfactory nerves to your olfactory bulb – the only point where your central nervous system has direct contact with the outside world. From there, they reach your limbic system (the areas that regulate emotion, memory, and stress) within seconds.
This is the fastest route. But it is not the only one.
2. TOPICAL – Through your skin to your bloodstream
Essential oils are lipophilic – they have an affinity with fatty substances. Your skin contains natural lipids, which allows the molecules to be effectively absorbed.
The science: Studies show that within 15-30 minutes of topical application, active components are detectable in your bloodstream (Herman & Herman, 2015). A study with lavender oil showed that linalool and linalyl acetate (the primary components) were found in the blood after a gentle abdominal massage with a 2% lavender oil blend – peaking at around 30 minutes.
The molecules circulate through your body, reach your brain, your organs, your muscles. They influence your nervous system, your hormonal balance, your cellular communication that promotes healthy tissue recovery – without you having to smell them.
3. INTERNAL – Through your digestive system
Only CPTG (Certified Pure Tested Grade) distilled oils like doTERRA are validated for safe internal use. They work through your gastrointestinal system and are absorbed into your bloodstream, after which they reach your entire system.
This is the most direct systemic action – no detour through nose or skin, but straight into your body.
But what if you can’t smell? Don’t you miss part of it?
Yes. And no.
What you miss: the conscious olfactory experience. The emotional association with a scent. That moment of “ah, I smell lavender, that means relaxation.”
What you do NOT miss: all the pharmacological effects. And this applies to all three pathways – including aromatic use.
This is the crucial insight that science gives us.
Study 1: Lavender works even with anosmia
A groundbreaking 2013 study (published in Life Sciences) investigated whether lavender oil still had an anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effect in mice with anosmia – mice that had been artificially made unable to smell.
Result: The anxiolytic effects of lavender oil inhalation were identical in mice with and without a sense of smell.
Researchers’ conclusion: “These results suggest that olfactory system activation is unlikely to participate in the anxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation.”
In other words: the calming effect of lavender works through a different mechanism than scent alone.
Study 2: TRP receptors – the non-olfactory system
During COVID, many people lost their sense of smell. This led to extensive research into how essential oils work in anosmia.
What scientists discovered: essential oils activate TRP receptors (Transient Receptor Potential receptors) – sensors in your body that respond to temperature, pain, and chemical substances. These receptors are found everywhere in your body: in your skin, your airways, your intestines.
Even when your olfactory system isn’t working, these receptors are still activated by the molecules from essential oils.
This explains why people without a sense of smell still experience the effects of essential oils through topical application or internal use.
Study 3: Dermal absorption is powerful enough
Multiple studies have shown that components from essential oils are not only absorbed through the skin, but also remain active in your bloodstream for 4-6 hours (for most oils) up to 8 hours (for oils like Frankincense).
A systematic review of 112 studies (published in Pharmaceutics, 2022) concluded: “Essential oils and their volatile constituents can penetrate through the skin as well as enhance penetration of different drugs from topical formulation into the lower skin layers.”
The effects are systemic – they influence your entire body, including your nervous system, your cellular processes, and your hormonal balance.
Practical: how to use essential oils without a sense of smell
All three pathways still work
This is the good news: you don’t need to skip any application method.
Aromatic:
- Yes, diffusing still works – the molecules are inhaled and absorbed through your lungs
- Through your airways they reach your bloodstream and activate TRP receptors
- The participants in my CJI workshop experienced this: they could perceive the effects, even without consciously smelling the scent
- Use a diffuser or personal inhaler as you normally would
- The only difference: you don’t experience the scent association, but the molecules still do their pharmacological work
Topical:
- Always dilute with a carrier oil (for example fractionated coconut oil)
- Use 1-2 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier
- Best places for absorption: soles of feet, wrists, neck (thin skin + good blood supply)
- Allow the oil to work for at least 15-20 minutes before rinsing off
Internal:
- Only use CPTG-certified oils (such as doTERRA)
- Safe oils for internal use: Lemon, Peppermint, DigestZen, OnGuard, Lavender
- Start conservatively: 1 drop in a vegetarian capsule or diluted in 250ml water
- Take 30 minutes before your desired effect (for example 30 min before bedtime for sleep-supporting oils)
Use oils with powerful systemic action
Some oils are particularly effective through topical or internal application:
- Frankincense: supports healthy brain function and has neuroprotective properties
- Copaiba: contains cannabinoids that support the endocannabinoid system
- Turmeric: contains curcumin, supports joints and muscles through systemic action
- Adaptiv capsules: formulated for systemic stress reduction through internal use
- Deep Blue: for muscle and joint discomfort through topical application
Why this matters
The question “do essential oils work without scent” is about something bigger: do people believe that natural remedies are pharmacologically active, or do they think it’s just placebo?
Let me be clear: essential oils are not a vague wellness trend.
They are bioactive molecules with demonstrable pharmacological effects:
– they bind to receptors.
– they influence neurotransmitters.
– they support cellular communication and tissue response.
– they are metabolised by your liver.
– they have half-lives that can be measured.
This isn’t fairy tales. This is biochemistry.
And yes, the psychological component of scent is powerful – nobody denies that. But the pharmacological action is independent of it.
If you have no sense of smell, you miss part of the experience. But you do not miss the effectiveness.
Scientific sources
For those who want to dive deeper:
- Anosmia and lavender study:
Yamada K, Miura T, Mimaki Y, Sashida Y. “Anosmia does not impair the anxiolytic-like effect of lavender essential oil inhalation in mice.” Life Sciences. 2013;92(24-26):1073-1079.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0024320513001926 - Dermal absorption of essential oils:
Herman A, Herman AP. “Essential oils and their constituents as skin penetration enhancer for transdermal drug delivery: a review.” Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2015;67(4):473-485.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25557808/ - Lavender absorption through skin:
Cal K. “Skin penetration of terpenes from essential oils and topical vehicles.” Planta Medica. 2006;72(4):311-316.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16557471/ - TRP receptors and essential oils in COVID anosmia:
Ceccarelli G, et al. “Olfactory training with essential oils for patients with post-COVID-19 smell dysfunction: A case series.” Integrative Medicine Research. 2023;12(2):100936.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10102705/ - Systematic review penetration effects:
Mwesigwa E, et al. “Systematic Review on the Effectiveness of Essential and Carrier Oils as Skin Penetration Enhancers in Pharmaceutical Formulations.” Pharmaceutics. 2022;14(2):343.
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/90/1/14 - Tisserand Institute on aromatherapy and anosmia:
“Aromatherapy: Does it still work if you’ve lost your sense of smell?”
https://tisserandinstitute.org/learn-more/aromatherapy-smell/ - Skin permeation mechanisms:
Çalışkan UK, Karakuş MM. “Essential Oils as Skin Permeation Boosters and Their Predicted Effect Mechanisms.” Journal of Dermatology & Skin Science. 2020;2(3):24-30.
https://www.dermatoljournal.com/articles/essential-oils-as-skin-permeation-boosters-and-their-predicted-effect-mechanisms.html
In closing
Those two participants at my training? They could experience live that the aromatic molecules definitely had an effect on them.
They went home satisfied. With the knowledge that essential oils can still support their nervous system.
That they can still use all three applications – aromatic, topical, and internal.
Because molecules do their work – even without you consciously perceiving the scent.
Ready to give this a go?
What are you waiting for? Download the PDF, order the oils, and let’s go. Your nervous system is waiting for input – and science is on your side.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Complete Scent Training Guide
Want to get started with scent training yourself? Or do you know someone who wants to restore their sense of smell?
I’ve put together a complete scent training guide for you with:
- The scientifically validated 4-oil protocol
- Step-by-step instructions
- Extended 8-oil protocol for optimal recovery
- All scientific studies
- Direct order links for the right oils
Download your free Scent Training Protocol here →
Brain-Training with aromatic molecules
Want more than just a PDF? I also give live brain-training sessions where we use aromatic molecules to strengthen your nervous system and make your brain more resilient. Perfect for teams, organisations, or individual programmes.
Curious about what I can do for your organisation?
tanja@your-good-life.com
Tanja
Holistic Health Coach – doTERRA Blue Diamond Leader – Creator of the GOOD. method
