Types of Virus Infections

Types of Virus Infections
Infections causes by viruses are probably the most common
of any type of infection. Colds and flus are caused by
viruses. Depending on the type of virus, immunization may
be successful in preventing the infection. In other cases,
no prevention is realistically possible since the virus
continually mutates. A virus is defined as a
sub-microscopic agent that causes infection. It is unable
to reproduce or grow when outside the host cell space.
Scientists continue to argue whether the virus lives or
not. Viruses are attacked by the immune system of the host
unit. Antibiotics don't affect viruses, but viruses can be
prevented by inoculations of vaccines.

Arboviruses

Arboviruses are a shortened version of the name arthropod
borne viruses. These are carried by mosquitoes and are
typically transmitted to the bloodstream by biting. Many
of the viruses are not infectious to humans but others are
epidemic in nature and can be deadly. Examples of
arboviruses today include Dengue fever, West Nile virus,
Ross River virus, tick-borne encephalitis and equine
encephalitis. The best treatment for arboviruses is
prevention. Vector control to eliminate mosquito breeding
sites and insect repellents will help eliminate the
likelihood of getting bitten by the virus-carrying mosquito.

Herpes virus

Herpes virus comes in two main types, Herpes simplex virus
1 and Herpes simplex virus 2. Both are marked by watery
blisters on the mucous membranes of the mouth or genitals,
or on the skin. Herpes simplex virus 1 is usually found on
the face, specifically the lips and is commonly known as a
cold sore. Herpes simplex virus 2 is usually called
genital herpes. The two viruses are similar under a
microscope. The usual treatment for an outbreak of herpes
simplex is acylovir as an antiviral drug. Two recent
medication developments are Famciclovir and Valacyclovir.
These drugs are taken orally to control the visible lesions.

Hepatitis

A hepatitis infection comes from hepatitis virus in the
liver tissue. There are seven types of hepatitis, labeled
from Hepatitis A to Hepatitis G. Hepatitis A is usual
caused from ingestion of contaminated food and has only the
acute stage. Hepatitis B is found as a result of
contaminated blood, tattoos, sexual contact and breast
feeding. It has both a chronic stage and an acute stage.
Hepatitis C is a virus spread by blood to blood contact
with an infected person's blood and results in scarring of
the liver as well as liver cancer. Hepatitis D propagates
only in the presence of Hepatitis B and results in a more
severe symptom set. Incidence of liver failure is at a
higher rate with Hepatitis D. Hepatitis E is similar to
Hepatitis A and is found mostly on the Indian subcontinent.
Hepatitis F is not yet verified as a separate virus.
Hepatitis G is confirmed although its exact role in viral
incidence is not positively delineated.

Vaccine-preventable virus

Viruses which can be prevented by inoculations with small
amounts of the virus are known as vaccine preventable
viruses. The body builds up antibodies which fight off
potential invasions by viruses in the future. These ten
significant childhood diseases can all be prevented by
inoculations: Chickenpox, tetanus, whooping cough, polio,
rubeola, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, hepatitis B, and
Haemophilus influenzae type B infections.

Sexually transmitted virus

The most common sexually transmitted viruses in the United
States are human papilloma viruses (HPV). Up to twenty
million Americans are currently infected with the virus and
it is estimated that 75% of adults have had genital HPV
during their reproductive years. Genital warts are just one
of the types of viruses transmitted by direct skin to skin
sexual contact. These warts may have a positive correlation
with the incidence of cervical cancer.

Diseases caused by viral infections

Viruses enter bloodstream and are carried from there to the
brain. Diseases caused by viral infections are typically
grouped into two categories: Chronic infections and acute
infections. Viral diseases of the acute category usually
begin quickly, while chronic viral diseases develop more
slowly and are often found to progress to the point of
death. Common acute viral infections cause diseases such as
encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, encephalomyelitis, and
flaccid paralysis. Chronic viral infections lead to
diseases such as subacute-sclerosing panencephalitis,
retrovirus disease and spongiform encephalopathies.

----------------------------------------------------
If your viral infection is yeast infection then read this
site: http://www.cureyeastinfection.org

How Poor Food Intake Increases Belly Fat

How Poor Food Intake Increases Belly Fat
Copyright © 2008 David Grisaffi

Food is not only important for our biological growth but
also affects our emotional and social interactions.
Unfortunately, the real meaning of food has got lost in the
present rat-race which we term as 'life'. This super-fast
lifestyle is taking a huge toll on people's health and most
of them do not realize it until it is too late. A vibrant
health is what everyone should have but how many of us
actually possess it?

In this 'instant' age food is the prime casualty. Work,
home, social pressures all combine to make healthy eating
habits seem difficult and that ugly roll of fat around the
stomach is proof of it. Here, we will try and show how poor
food intakes increases belly fat.

Who doesn't want to look good? It's human nature to want to
look attractive. People spend money on gyms, on fad dieting
just so that they can possess an enviable figure... Besides
looking ugly, fat on the abdomen is a sure sign of a host
of diseases which just may attack you making this fat
extremely injurious to health. Nature designed the human
body so that it would store fat as energy reserves but
along with a leap in technology(cutting our work into
half), came increased inactivity and poor dietary habits
and this contributed to fat getting accumulated on the
abdomen.

Poor food intakes increases belly fat because poor quality,
high in calories food stimulates the increase of fat cells
and creates new fat cells. A diet high in sodium and fat
and sugar adds to the abdominal fat. People now are so
pressed for time that they take short-cuts for food and
have now substituted good old home cooking with
ready-to-eat food packages. Fast food is poor food, no
matter what the companies do to advertise their products as
healthy. Junk food contains high levels of fat, sugar and
salt. It is popular because it is easy to buy, needs no
preparation and is convenient to eat and it also increases
your waistline.

Studies have shown how poor food intakes increases belly
fat because eating less fibrous and nutritious food results
in poor elimination which in turn, causes bloating and
distention of the stomach. You will not be able to get rid
of that belly fat without taking a good look at what you
are putting in there. If you treat your stomach as a trash
can and insist on dumping nutrition-deficient food in it,
it will take its toll on you.

People don't realize that no matter how much exercise they
do, poor food intakes increases belly fat and they should
guard against it. Whenever we are too emotionally charged,
we tend to eat more and most of the time; we reach out for
that packet of chips or that chocolate cake. In our
stressed out mentality we don't realize the impact of these
high-fat saturated foods and thus our poor food intakes
increases belly fat. Food high in proteins, carbohydrates,
vitamins and minerals is essential for a balanced diet.
These food groups give the right amount of nutrition needed
by the body.

Many times people make the mistake of dieting very
rigorously in the hope that they will slim down and they
remain hungry for long periods. But, this makes the body go
into the 'starvation' mode, it decreases the metabolism and
fat cells break down less and this is another instance of
how poor food intakes increases belly fat.

Thus, the right kinds of food choices are very important
for radiant health and an enviable figure!

----------------------------------------------------
David Grisaffi is a Sports Conditioning Coach and holds
multiple certifications including three from the
prestigious CHEK Institute. Plus he is also the author of
the popular selling e book, "Firm and Flatten Your Abs,"
which teaches you how to develop a ripped abdominal region.
Lean how to shed body fat and eliminate low back pain and
receive his free newsletter by visiting:
http://www.flattenyourabs.net

Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 11

Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 11
Can aromas really help to reduce our levels of stress?

Ask any parent who works at home, manages a busy household,
or looks after children if they experience stress. Or ask
any parent who struggles with work outside the home and is
frustrated with having no time to manage their home and
kids. Today, even the haven of our homes cannot protect us
from stress. At home it comes in many forms and affects
both young and old.

Almost everyone today is a victim of elevated levels of
stress and anxiety. Even children, much like their
parents, lead hectic and stressful lives. But did you know
that certain fragrances can help alleviate some of this
stress?

It's true. We can use our noses to reduce our levels of
stress.

Rather than reaching for medications to relieve stress,
many people are looking for other ways to reduce their
levels of stress. Scents are a great way to relax, unwind
and reduce stress. Research at Yale University suggests
that the smell of spiced apples may be effective in warding
off a panic attack.

In a study conducted by Dr. Susan Schiffman, subjects were
first trained to relax when introduced to a
pleasant-smelling fragrance. Within just a few weeks,
these subjects were able to relax the muscles over their
forehead—the muscles which, when allowed to remain in
a tense position, lead directly to a "stress headache.

In another study conducted by Dr. Gary Schwartz subjects
were asked a series of stressful questions while they were
exposed to pleasant fragrances. Compared to control
subjects who hadn't been exposed to these scents, those
tested with fragrances were shown to have lower blood
pressures, heart rates and even breathing patterns.

Stress at Work?

Who doesn't experience stress at work! In studies done by
Dr. Joel Warm and William Dember, workers who were exposed
to the occasional scent of peppermint showed a marked
increase in alertness and improved job performance. The
significance of this finding may have a large impact on the
workplaces of the future.

Overall, studies have found that

* pleasant fragrances help to reduce workers' levels of
stress and promote a healthy mental atmosphere.

* lemon's invigorating scent has been clinically proven to
help clerical workers make fewer computer and data entry
errors.

* lavender can help individuals compute equations more
quickly and more efficiently.

* peppermint and lily of the valley can help individuals
lengthen their attention span.

* pleasant fragrances also promote well-being in employees
wherever they gather—in conference rooms, lobbies,
etc.

As technology continues to advance, more and more employees
will be subjected to lengthy hours in front of computers.
Anyone who has experienced more than an hour at a time
inputting and analysing computer data knows how difficult
it may be to stay alert—especially during the late
morning and early afternoon hours. Could it be that a
whiff of peppermint may help us to stay awake more than our
cup of coffee? Research in this area offers promising
hope—especially for those of us who have an
intolerance for caffeine.

Japanese companies are putting this research to task and
are seeing promising results. Workers who are exposed to
regular sprays of scents via computerized odour delivery
systems by way of air conditioning and ventilation systems
show a marked increase in efficiency and performance. To
stimulate employees at the beginning of their workday,
companies are odorizing their offices with shots of citrus
scents. Then late in the morning, employees are stimulated
by swirls of floral-scented odorants. By mid-afternoon
these employees are then exposed to invigorating woodsy
cypress and cedar scents.

However, employers should be warned that some
pleasant-smelling fragrances can actually have a negative
impact on productivity. In one study, galaxolide, a
musk-smelling scent, had a doubling effect on subject
response times.

Cacosmia, or "sick-building syndrome," is a phenomenon
where individuals become ill from low levels of common
environmental chemical odours found in paint, building
materials and even perfumes. Sufferers tend to experience
daytime tiredness and are often shy and introverted.
Interestingly, shy, introverted individuals have been shown
to be more sensitive to smell than their more gregarious
counterparts.

According to "The Smell Report, "If the
'olfactory-survival-reflex' theory is correct, it may be
that people with high-smell sensitivity become shy and
novelty-avoiding because their olfactory receptors transmit
more primeval danger-signals making them feel more
vulnerable."

----------------------------------------------------
Luke Vorstermans is the founder of The Sense of Smell Lab,
a world leader in the development of innovative products
that use our sense of smell to influence behavior, trigger
memories, manage cravings, enhance moods and improve sexual
health. To learn more about enhancing your sex drive, go
to http://www.scentuellepatch.com

How to Find the Right Chiropractor for You

How to Find the Right Chiropractor for You
The modern chiropractor is the only doctorate level health
practitioner in the world that is drug and surgery free.
Having a very similar in training to the Medical Doctor,
the Chiropractic Doctor has about ten times more nutrition
training, along with more radiology and diagnostic
training. The first consideration when picking the right
chiropractor for you is technique or services offered.
About 70% of the chiropractors in the world use
"Diversified" which is a collection of various spinal
manipulations, generally using "motion palpation" do
determine when and when to manipulate the spine. Gonstead
is another manipulative method, but is considered to be
more precise and gentle. There are techniques that focus on
the upper cervical (neck) region, like "Atlas Orthogonal",
"Blair", "Grostic" and NUCCA. Upper cervical practitioners
are rare, lower force, and considered to be excellent.
There are other methods that focus on the opposite end of
the spine, the sacrum and the pelvis; "Logan Basic" is an
excellent example. "Activator", "Torque Release" and
"Pro-Adjustor" are techniques that use a mechanical device
between the practitioner and patient, and are generally
considered to be lower force. In my opinion, the crème
de la crème of chiropractic is "Network Spinal
Analysis", originally networking ideas from the major
technique branches together into a scientific whole, it now
has grown beyond that box, and is considered to be one of
the leading body-mind modalities ever. Patients love the
"self-correcting" nature of the work that happens after
visits. A three-year study of more than 2800 patients found
benefits beyond reduced pain, eczema, and allergies;
patients reported reduced stress in all areas of their
life, and more satisfaction in their relationships of all
kinds. The better chiropractors will be proud to share all
the extra training they have had after completing their
doctorate. You want a practitioner who continues to develop
professionally.

The second factor in choosing the right chiropractor for
you is personal connection. I urge you to try out various
chiropractors and see how you like them in person. Keep in
mind that the falsely cheerful persona that makes a good
impression at first may be aggravating after the first few
visits. You don't need to be buddies with your
chiropractor, but you do need to have confidence in their
clinical skills, honesty, and sincerity.

The third factor is convenience, if you spine really needs
work, it may be better to have the second best chiropractor
who is a few blocks away rather than your first choice that
is a two hour drive away.

The fourth factor is cost. This can be affected by their
participation in your HMO, and how much they charge, and
what they recommend in terms of a care plan. Do be aware
that there may be a false economy with the Doctor who only
recommends care until your symptoms are better. My
father-in-law saw one of those chiropractors for thirty
years. He would go see him for two or three visits, until
he was "better" and told him to come back when his symptoms
flared again.

When I took X-rays of his spine at age 70, there were bone
spurs and degeneration throughout, which could have easily
been prevented, had his chiropractor cared to do more than
just get him out of his symptoms. I believe my
father-in-law's chiropractor failed him by not doing the
corrective care that he needed, and now it is too late.
This is what I mean by false economy. In our culture of
instant gratification, it is certainly easier to swallow
small amounts of chiropractic with a symptomatic
orientation, but the practitioner who tells you that you
need more care than you would like may be the more honest
chiropractor.

On the other hand, you don't necessarily want to go see a
chiropractor that sells you and everyone else who walks
into their office a year of care with the alacrity of auto
finance manager pushing an extended warranty.

Taking these four factors into account, I wish you great
results in finding the right chiropractor for you. Please
let me know how it works out for you.

----------------------------------------------------
Bozeman Chiropractor Dr. Hans Conser practices in beautiful
Bozeman Montana. Dr. Conser does nutritional and spinal
consulting via the phone and internet; offering a
functional medicine approach using scientifically-proven
drug-free clinical nutrition for inflammation, blood sugar
control, detoxification, and weight loss: For more details
visit =>
http://www.bozemanchiropractic.com/

How To Be A Hot Mom: 3 Myths Holding You Back From Lifting Weights & Losing Fat

How To Be A Hot Mom: 3 Myths Holding You Back From Lifting Weights & Losing Fat
Are you a Hot Mommy? You desire to be one but in spite of
all your efforts you haven't gotten there yet. It's a safe
bet that you've been through a lot of crazy fad diets and
have even bought your share of diet pills and exercise
gadgets. But have you seriously tried the rock solid, iron
clad proven method of lifting weights to burn off the fat
and get curves in all the right places?

You have probably heard the myths in this article or even
came to your own conclusion about them. Well, let's debunk
them here and now. As a bonus you'll also learn something
about weight lifting that you aren't taking full advantage
of to get slim and sexy.

Too many women have been sold on the idea that weight
lifting is for men and they should do cardio. They are
then told a few myths which reinforce that belief. Who
knows when, where or why these myths started but they have
held back millions of women from achieving the best
physical shape of their lives. The first offender and the
biggest: I don't want to get too big and muscular, like a
man.

Before we get in the "Big Like Man" theory, let's play a
game. The game is to find someone who woke up one day with
too much muscle because they were not paying attention. In
over 20 years of exercising I have not meet anyone who
accidentally got too much muscle, man or woman.

As final proof of the impossibility of becoming too
muscular go to the beach in any country and take a look at
the men. Sadly, there won't be enough fitness models for
every girl to take one home.

The next myth that needs to be put to rest is that women
should only use light weights that those using heavy
weights will somehow wake up in the Too Muscle-y Zone.
Weight lifting, like life, is more complicated than light
weight = small, heavy weight = big. So go ahead and lift
something big it will come in handy in your everyday life.
Seriously, you will have to lift something heavier than a 2
lbs/kg dumbbell some day. Who knows you may even find it
fun. No... really, some do. Honest.

The last myth we'll talk about is the aerobics burns more
fat and women should run like hamsters on a wheel to get in
shape. Well, that is partly true. Typical aerobics
training will burn fat more than lifting weights but only
while you are doing it. The fat burning benefit stops when
you stop moving. That new muscle you added from lifting
weights? It burns fat even if the only surfing you do
involves the channels on your TV.

OK, here is the part you've been waiting for: lifting
weights can give the right shape to the parts you want.
Oh, don't get all bashful. You know exactly what we're
talking about. Adding a little muscle will help lift the
parts you want higher. Yearn for more cleavage? It can
pick the girls up. Got a flat butt? You can fix it with
weights. Got too much butt? Can't lose your baby belly?
Guess what, they can be fixed with weights too. Remember
that wonderful benefit of adding muscle: more muscle more
fat burned. For once the system is that simple.

While it is fantastic that more women are getting into
weight training these myths are holding them back and
preventing even more from starting. Sadly they are missing
out on the benefits of one the best forms of exercise
available. Marilyn Monroe truly understood the benefits
and was an avid weight lifter.

Better health, being better prepared for everyday life and
getting your body into that slammin' sexy shape you've
always dreamed of. You have to admit those are some great
benefits. All these benefits are within your reach if you
are willing to shed the chains that are holding you to the
belief that weights are only for the boys.

----------------------------------------------------
Moms, you're tired and short on time. You need health and
fitness info that you can act on without the fuss. One Mom
decided to do something about it. Simple easy-to-do steps
to get your shape and energy back. Stop by and say Goodbye
to your Baby Belly. Act now and get a bonus health &
fitness report for Moms:
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ADHD Is A Real Medical Condition

ADHD Is A Real Medical Condition
ADHD is, in fact, a medical condition. It is really
important to remember this, because even very educated
people who know a lot about ADD, often still, underneath it
all, think that maybe it is not a true medical condition.
They believe the person should just try harder. They think
deep down that that the person watches too much TV, or
listens to too much music, or plays too many video games,
or the teachers don't know what they're doing. There are
many misconceptions embedded in the mentality of our
culture.

ADHD is not a social problem.

ADHD is a medical condition and it is in the brain.

ADHD is caused by chemical imbalance. Research is showing
that there is a lower amount of the brain chemicals
dopamine and noradrenaline. When medication is taken, it
balances these brain chemicals and thus ADHD improves.

ADHD is also genetic. It is as genetic as how tall or short
you are. If you are a tall parent, the chance of having a
tall child is about 80% to 85%. And the numbers are the
same for ADHD. So, if you have a child with ADHD, the
chance that one of the parents has ADHD is about 25% to
30%. A sibling has about a 20% to 25% chance of having
ADHD. ADD and ADHD run in families.

The ideal treatment for ADD/ADHD is a combination of
medication, and non-medication therapies. This is similar
to the treatment of other medical conditions such as
diabetes. To be healthy as a diabetic, you have to watch
what you eat, track your blood sugars, exercise, monitor
your carbohydrates, etc. In other words, there has to be a
combination of lifestyle approaches and biological
approaches. (When I say "biological" I mean medicine,
because it works on the biology of the body).

The same holds with ADD/ADHD. It is a medical condition,
which requires medicine to help to fix the 'chemical
imbalance', but it also requires other treatments - such as
parenting support, academic strategies, behavioral therapy,
and even coaching. You need to find the right balance, and
get the help you need from different professionals. Just
always remember, modern science is proving it beyond a
doubt - ADD/ADHD is a real medication condition, and it is
not caused by any of the 'social causes' (i.e. TV, video
games, music, bad teachers, bad parents, etc.) It is my
hope that we can get past these misconceptions to help to
de-stigmatize ADD/ADHD so that it will be easier to get the
right help for people when it's needed.

----------------------------------------------------
Dr. Kenny Handelman is a Board Certified Psychiatrist in
Canada and the USA. He is an expert in ADD & ADHD and helps
kids, teens and adults to improve their lives, and build up
their strengths. For a free special report on medication
for ADD/ADHD, please visit: http://www.MedicationMastery.com

7 Food Habits That Work for Weight Loss

7 Food Habits That Work for Weight Loss
Are you tired of dieting? If you are then try a few of
these tips to get started on better eating habits for long
term success with weight loss. You will find simple
lifestyle changes such as quick and easy breakfast ideas,
smart snacks, and food label tips. They may not sound
magical - but they do work!

1. Breakfast Basics

Getting into the habit of eating breakfast gets you and
your metabolism on a regular schedule and our bodies do
better with a routine. For quick and easy breakfasts try a
piece of fruit, granola bar, yogurt, hardboiled egg on
toast, English muffin with peanut butter, a smoothie,
cereal, frozen waffles, oatmeal, or even just a glass of
milk or juice.

2. Lunch List

Planning ahead is the key to having a healthy lunch. You
can take a turkey sandwich and chips or fruit from home for
500 calories or go to a restaurant and order a sandwich and
fries for 600 calories or more just in the sandwich. Make
a list of foods you would like for lunches. Wraps, popcorn,
cheese & crackers, or premixed salads can make a quick,
healthy lunch.

3. Supper Slim-Down

This is often the meal where we often overeat because we
haven't eaten enough during the day and we are starving by
supper time. There are many tricks you can use here but
finding a way to eat smaller portions and lower calorie
foods is the goal for weight loss. Try these suggestions .
. .

* Use a smaller plate
* Keep the serving dishes off the table
* Make it a rule not to eat while watching TV
* Eat slower and pay attention to the flavor of food

4. Snack Smarts

When we start eating less at meals it is normal to get
hungry between meals. Snacks can help your body control
weight and help prevent overeating at meals. 100-200
calories for a snack is generally a healthy range.
Yogurts, fruit, raw veggies, whole grain crackers, pudding,
an ounce of nuts, or 5-6 cups popcorn lightly buttered are
all snack ideas that are also good sources of nutrients. If
you are craving some "junk food" then for 100-200 calories
you could have a snack size candy bar, 4-5 hard candies, 3
caramels, 5-6 Hershey's kisses, 4 licorice twists, a 20oz
cappuccino made with low fat milk, 1 envelope hot cocoa mix
with water or low fat milk, or 15-20 chips.

5. Beverage Balance

Be sure you are not drinking too many calories. To lose
weight and still get necessary nutrients you will not have
room for many caloric beverages other than low fat milk.
Drinks other than small amounts of juice should be a treat.
Think of soda pop as liquid candy. The acid and sugar eat
away at your teeth and the calories can sabotage your
weight loss efforts without giving you any nutrition. Next
time you reach for the 20oz soda at the store remember you
are getting over 15 teaspoons of sugar.

6. Restaurant Rules

Set some new rules for yourself when eating out. I try to
limit how often I eat out to once a week or less.
Restaurant meals are usually 2-3 times the recommended
calorie amount and are generally high in fat and sodium.
When you do order out try these ideas to keep your calorie
intake close to your goal:

* Share a meal with someone
* Ask for a to-go container right away & portion before you
eat
* Avoid fried foods & skip the appetizer
* Ask for sauces, butter and dressings on side
* Order thin crust pizza instead of thick crust
* Remember alcohol is high calorie also

7. Diet Deletion

Stop looking for the magic pill or quick-fix diet because
it does not exist. What have been proven to work time after
time are changing eating and activity habits and practicing
those changes until they become our new lifestyle. Diets
are temporary, restrictive and mess up our body's
metabolism so that each time we try to lose weight it gets
more difficult.

----------------------------------------------------
Karen Marschel, RD, LD, CDE is a registered licensed
dietitian and certified diabetes educator with 15 years
experience helping clients lose weight and manage diabetes.
She offers online personalized weight loss and nutrition
programs at her website http://www.DietMN.com . Sign up for
her free monthly newsletter for more tips on nutrition and
weight loss, and to receive updates on special offers.

Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 10

Unlocking the Secrets of Your Sense of Smell: Part 10
Can the mere suggestion of an aroma affect us in the same
way that our actual sensation of the aroma would?

Recent studies have shown that our expectations about an
odour, rather than any direct effects as a result of our
real exposure to an odour, may be responsible for our moods
and its health benefits. For example, in one experiment
subjects who were told that they were subjected to an
unpleasant odour that they may or may not be able to smell
reported mood changes associated with this suggested smell
alone. Connversely, in this same study, subjects who were
given the suggestion of a pleasant odour reported positive
effects on their moods.

However, in studies where odourless sprays (placebos) were
used, subjects responded to a lesser degree than those who
were exposed to scented sprays. Thus, while the mere
mention of a pleasant odour may give us a cheerful
disposition, the actual smell has a greater impact on our
moods and well-being. And although our olfactory sense may
decrease with age, a pleasant smell has been shown to have
positive effects on individuals of all ages.

Is one side of our brains more prone to a certain emotion
than another?

Interestingly, scientific research has shown that our right
and left nostrils do not respond in the same manner to
positive and negative aromas. Researchers have discovered
differences in olfactory cortical neurone activity in the
right and left hemispheres of the brain. According to
their studies, negative emotions are predominantly
processed by the right hemisphere while positive ones are
predominantly processed by the left hemisphere.

How does scent effect our perception of others?

Our perception of others may also be influenced by scent.
In one experiment, subjects were asked to rate the
appearances of individuals in a series of portraits.
Subjects who were exposed to pleasant fragrances gave
higher ratings to individuals than those who were subjected
to unpleasant fragrances.

It is interesting to note, however, that fragrances had
little bearing on ratings of individuals with outstanding
features—whether beautiful or ugly. Exposure of
fragrances during testing seemed to only have an impact on
ratings where there was an ambiguity in one's appearance.
If an individual was average looking, a pleasant fragrance
seemed to make him or her more attractive for the beholder.

It would seem, then, that unless we are an Nicole Kidman or
George Clooney, it wouldn't hurt for us to give ourselves a
little spray of our favourite colognes every now and then .
. .

Does the same hold true for our perception of the quality
of things?

Research suggests that this is so. In another experiment,
individuals were asked to rate the professionalism of
various works of art. Not surprisingly, pleasant and
unpleasant odours had a similar effect on subjects' ratings.

Can we be manipulated to act in a certain way by fragrances
alone?

Again, research suggests that our emotions—which to a
large degree control our actions—can be manipulated
in this manner. In a related experiment, a Las Vegas
casino experienced a 45% increase in the amount of money
used in their slot machines when their casino was odorized
with a pleasant fragrance.

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Luke Vorstermans is the founder of The Sense of Smell Lab,
a world leader in the development of innovative products
that use our sense of smell to influence behavior, trigger
memories, manage cravings, enhance moods and improve sexual
health. To learn more about enhancing your sex drive, go
to http://www.scentuellepatch.com