U.S. researchers show that scents can change gene activity in fruit flies.
Certain scents such as lavender or pine have a calming effect on the body. Lavender flowers or pine shavings lying near your bed at night can have the same effect. Human gene expression also responds to scents like diacetyl. Such enzyme inhibitors are already used in the treatment of cancer, but in medication - not in fragrance form. The study raises questions such as: Should we be concerned that certain scents seem to have a major impact on our bodies?