Takasago unveils ‘Relaxation Scale’ to link scents with stress relief
This scale fills a critical gap by reliably assessing the relaxation effects of different odours beyond mere sensory enjoyment.
JAPAN – A collaborative study by Takasago and Kensuke Okada, associate professor at The University of Tokyo, has introduced the Relaxation Scale of Flavours and Fragrances (RSFF), a new psychological tool designed to measure how specific scents promote relaxation and improve mental well-being.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, identifies three key factors in scent-induced relaxation: liberation, nostalgia, and reduction of negative emotions.
Liberation involves sensations of stress relief and mental lightness, nostalgia taps into personal memories evoked by fragrances, and the reduction of negative emotions reflects decreases in anxiety, fatigue, and nervousness.
Spokesperson from Takasago stated, “This research analyzed responses from individuals who experienced various odours, which resulted in developing a new psychological scale with high reliability and validity.”
“By utilizing this scale, we aim to verify the relaxation effects of various odours and contribute to the realization of a well-being society.”
Among the scents tested, lemon-lime emerged as the most effective in producing immediate relaxation, while coffee and vanilla triggered strong nostalgic feelings, offering comfort and reducing negative emotions.
Strawberry ranked as a moderate relaxant, scoring higher in liberation than coffee and vanilla and higher in nostalgia than lemon-lime.
This research highlights the growing importance of fragrances in supporting mental health and emotional balance and has potential applications in clinical aromatherapy and everyday stress management.
The findings align with trends in the fragrance industry toward “neurofragrances,” which are designed to deliver specific mood-enhancing benefits, reflecting consumers’ demand for transparent, functional, and environmentally responsible scent products.
As modern life increasingly demands effective stress relief, this scale fills a critical gap by reliably assessing the relaxation effects of different odours beyond mere sensory enjoyment.
This comes at a time when the neurofragrances market is gaining momentum, emerging at the intersection of neuroscience, wellness, and beauty innovation.
Neurofragrances are part of a broader category of neurocosmetics, which was valued at USD 1.80 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% through 2030, according to a report published by Grand View Research.
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