Need a little help focusing on work or life admin right now? Turns out, better concentration could be a spritz away. Welcome to the world of nootropic fragrances.
You’re probably already familiar with the idea that your favourite scent can give you a positive mood boost – after all, smell is the only sense directly linked to the emotion-regulating part of our minds. But, did you know that there’s now a growing category of perfumes that are specifically designed to bio-hack your brain too?
Rooted in the science of nootropics – aka the use of substances to improve mental function such as memory and concentration – nootropic fragrances harness the powers of aromatherapy, using our olfactory (scent) pathways to influence the brain’s mood and clarity. The best part is that their impact is seriously speedy – almost instantaneous – making them perfect for before big meetings or when you feel a little bit of brain fog closing in.
Intrigued? Here are six concentration-enhancing fragrances – including a spray to help your kids focus during exam prep – that our beauty director swears by.
The original nootropic fragrance brand, The Nue Co. initially gained a cult following for its de-stress fragrance (which is also worth a spritz), but Mind Energy is productivity in a bottle. Clean, spicy and grounding, the blend of clary sage, juniper and pink peppercorn doesn't just smell invigorating – the notes were scientifically chosen using EEG brain mapping as the most likely to improve focus by triggering your neural pathways.
Iconic makeup artist Charlotte Tilbury knows the mood-boosting power of a makeover, and now she's applied that same attitude to fragrance. This green and woody aroma filled with energising bergamot oil, calming cypress and the grounding of frankincense is perfect after late nights during the working week.
Anatomē has a full range of wellbeing fragrances, and the travel collection is exactly what every woman needs, for every kind of mood boost while on-the-go. Looking for just one? Make it Focus: a sharp and spicy aroma of cardamom, black pepper and ginger that's like a shot of energy for your brain.
Need help calming a chaotic mind in order to focus better? This grounding aroma of sandalwood, saffron, nutmeg and pink pepper is exactly what you need. And, for more proposed wellness benefits, each 50ml bottle comes complete with an energy-charged crystal that's said to supercharge the fragrance's effect.
Sometimes you don't want to be jolted awake, you need a soft cognitive reset to concentrate a frazzled mind. This 100 per cent natural nootropic fragrance from Abel is exactly that. The blend of grounding Angelica herb, relaxing Narcissus and uplifting Mimosa is 'sniff-again' addictive, and it was specifically designed to help manage the brain fog that hormone changes, including perimenopause, can cause.
It isn't just us adults in the office who struggle to focus – our kids are just as likely to need a helping hand, especially if they have looming deadlines and exams approaching. This aromatherapy spray is our top pick. Mist it over faces and wrists to benefit from the clarity that rosemary, frankincense, spearmint and coriander essential oils can bring.
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
Any Questions or Tips to add?