Aromatherapy vs Aromachology: Explore the Power of Scent at Scentopia Singapore

Aromatherapy vs Aromachology: What’s the Difference?

Essential oils have surged in popularity for their reported benefits—relieving stress, easing pain, improving sleep, and even offering antibacterial action. But did you know there’s a difference between aromatherapy and aromachology?

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils, extracted from plants—for therapeutic benefits aimed at supporting physical and mental health. Although the term dates to the 1920s, the practice itself dates back centuries.

What Is Aromachology?

Aromachology, coined in 1989, is the scientific study of how scents—natural or synthetic—affect human behavior and emotions, via neurological pathways in the limbic system.

Key Differences Between Aromatherapy and Aromachology

While both aromatherapy and aromachology explore how scent influences human well-being, their purpose, methods, and materials differ significantly. Aromatherapy focuses on using 100% natural essential oils for holistic healing. It is traditionally rooted and emphasizes physical and emotional wellness, commonly used to relieve stress, anxiety, pain, or insomnia.
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On the other hand, aromachology is a scientific study of how scents—both natural and synthetic—affect human mood, behavior, and memory. It draws on psychology and neurology to design fragrances that influence actions, emotions, and even consumer behavior.
Where aromatherapy aims to heal and soothe, aromachology is used more for behavioral enhancement, like boosting focus, encouraging relaxation, or creating welcoming environments in spaces like retail stores and hotels.
In short: Aromatherapy is therapeutic, while aromachology is psychological.

Why does it matter?
Both focus on scent-induced wellness—but aromatherapy is well-being oriented, while aromachology is science-backed, often designed for commercial or behavioral outcomes

How Scentopia Applies This

At Scentopia Singapore, we blend both worlds: our perfume-making workshops, powered by orchid-infused aroma oils, offer therapeutic enjoyment (aromatherapy), guided by scent science and personality profiling (aromachology). It’s crafted to be relaxing, educational, and mood-enhancing.

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