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Relax

What does relaxation smell like?

A recent blog post at BRIT+CO caught my eye: Kate Thorn recommends several different jasmine-scented products. Why?

Thorn points to a 2010 German study that found "the two fragrances Vertacetal-coeur (VC) and the chemical variation (PI24513) have the same molecular mechanism of action and are as strong as the commonly prescribed barbiturates or propofol."

In other words, the scent of jasmine can knock you out like a benzo? Well, maybe. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, found that both in humans and mice, a strong dose of jasmine increased a set of neurotransmitters that lead to relaxation.

Of course, a whiff of jasmine isn't likely to knock you out for the night — especially if it's not strongly concentrated. Still, the researchers found, "the results can also be seen as evidence of a scientific basis for aromatherapy."

Or maybe just for buying some fresh flowers. Whatever you're sniffing, YourClassical's Relax stream is ready with a soundtrack of calming classical music.

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