Page 8 - Bergamot e-book

dōTERRA

Bergamot Study

A recent study by the scientists at doTERRA put the mood-enhancing properties of
®
CPTG Bergamot essential oil to the test—in a very stressful environment.

The Study

The belief in Bergamot essential oil’s mood influencing capabilities is not new.

Previous research has provided strong evidence that it can be uplifting and stress

reducing when inhaled in a number of different environments. 1-4 These effects are
thought to be due primarily to Bergamot’s rich concentration of the
monoterpenes linalyl acetate and linalool.

doTERRA’s scientists aimed to examine how Bergamot essential oil diffusion would

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influence mood in the waiting room of a mental health treatment center. During
the eight-week trial, four waterless diffusers were set up out of sight in the waiting

room 15 minutes before patients arrived. Weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7 were essential oil
diffusion periods, while on weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8, the diffuser was filled with only

distilled water. The 57 participants were asked to sit in the waiting room for a total
of 15 minutes and were asked to complete a validated questionnaire before

proceeding to their appointment.

A total of 45 participants completed the questionnaire during the trial essential oil
diffusion periods, while 12 were completed during the distilled water diffusion

periods (control). It was found that those in the trial group reported higher
positive affect scores (17 percent higher) and slightly lower increases in negative

affect scores (they reported a smaller increase in negative thoughts) compared to
the control group. There were also no adverse reactions to the diffusion. These
findings were consistent with existing research on the influence of Bergamot

essential oil aromatherapy in other environments.

Conclusion

Long day at the office? Kids stressing you out? As the research shows, a few drops
of Bergamot in your diffuser may be one of the best things you can do to promote
positive thinking and a sense of calm whatever the environment you find yourself

in.