Have you heard of Rose-Mary? She messes with your mood
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1
Department of Psychological Science, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Australia
Aim: Mood disorders are the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the world and can impact an individual’s daily life. Currently, pharmacological treatment is the most popular form of treatment for mood disorders. However, side effects can include nausea, dizziness and suicidal ideation. Therefore, it is valuable to find a natural, non-harmful substitute. Essential oils have been suggested as possible alternatives for treatments of mood disorders. Specifically, research has been conducted on rosemary essential oil as a way of improving mood. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of rosemary on mood, specifically whether there is an increase in positive affect while completing several computer tasks. Method: Participants included 29 university students and volunteers from the general public. Participants were required to complete the PANAS before and after the experiment. They also completed the Covert Orienting task, which measured reaction time to neutral and affectively positive stimuli when presented prior to a target occurring in either the same or a different location. Results: There was no evidence for a change in the positive or negative scores on the PANAS, in both the rosemary and peppermint group. Additionally, evidence suggested that reaction time on the neutral stimuli was longer following exposure to rosemary than the peppermint group. Conclusion: These results are inconsistent with prior claims of the effects of rosemary on mood. The present study revealed that rosemary has greater inhibitory control on reaction time, which is inconsistent with previous research.
Keywords:
mood,
peppermint,
Rosemary,
PANAS,
covert orienting task
Conference:
15th Annual Psychology Honours Research Conference , Coffs Harbour, Australia, 4 Oct - 5 Oct, 2018.
Presentation Type:
Research
Topic:
Abstract for 15th Annual Psychology Honours Research Conference
Citation:
Fletcher
A,
Provost
SC and
Longstaff
MG
(2019). Have you heard of Rose-Mary? She messes with your mood.
Front. Psychol.
Conference Abstract:
15th Annual Psychology Honours Research Conference .
doi: 10.3389/conf.fpsyg.2018.74.00010
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Received:
18 Sep 2018;
Published Online:
27 Sep 2019.
*
Correspondence:
Ms. Audrey Fletcher, Department of Psychological Science, School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia, a.fletcher.18@student.scu.edu.au