Many of us would say that we dream in images. Some say there may also be a soundtrack with voices or music. But does anyone ever associate dreams with smell?
Few people would say they remember specific scents when sleeping, but according to science, what you smell before you go to sleep at night could affect your dreams.
Aromatherapy with distinct scents may promote better sleep, help you wake up in the morning, or even influence dreams and memory formation during sleep.
According to a study from researchers at the Central Institute of Mental Health in Mannheim, Germany, sniffing something that smells good, such as fresh flowers or a fragrance you like, could help you sleep better.
The results of the study showed when using an unpleasant odorant, the emotional coloration of the dream was predominantly negative, while under stimulation with the pleasant stimulus, nearly all dreams had a positive coloration.
So if you find yourself having nightmares or having trouble sleeping, try surrounding yourself with a scent that you love before going to sleep.
What Are the Best Scents for Sleep?
There is no consensus about the best types of aromatherapy for sleep but here are a few recommendations via The Sleep Foundation:
Lavender
Rose
Roman Chamomile
Jasmine
Cedar Extract
Cannabis
Ylang-Ylang