Short, but Highly Concentrated, Direct Inhalations of Essential Oil Molecules Improve Poor Sleep Quality: A Natural History Controlled, Withingroup, Self-administration Field Pilot Study

Background: Essential oils are among the preferred alternative remedies for treating sleep disturbance, but empirical evidence for their effectiveness is varied. According to a new line of research, an inhaler designed to deliver high concentrations of essential oil molecules directly into the nose effectively influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the autonomous nervous system. Objective: This study was run to investigate whether insomnia complaints were reduced upon the use of the inhaler AromaStick® ‘Relax’. Methods: A documentation field study involving thirty individuals with a recorded history of nonspecific insomnia complaints was conducted to determine the inhaler’s specific effects. Results: Upon nightly use for one week, the odor inhaler strongly improved sleep quality and reduced symptoms associated with poor sleep. Depending on the dimensions tested, effect sizes ranged between 0.8 < d < 2.6. The strongest effects were found for ‘difficulty maintaining sleep’, ‘difficulty initiating sleep’ and ‘feeling recovered after sleeping’. Conclusion: The inhaler proved to be useful in mitigating sleep impairment. The effects were strongest in individuals reporting low sleep quality.