AROMATHERAPY

Exploring the Power of Scent in Alleviating Depression and Anxiety

Partner: Bingrui Fan

Week 07 | 10/04/2023

Problem Statement:

Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people aged 15 to 44. More and more people are grappling with depression and anxiety these days due to the fast-paced work style and tremendous financial stress, especially after COVID, which introduced a plethora of restrictions and anxieties into our everyday lives. As UX designers, our focus is on how people feel and experience using either a physical or digital product — we aim to make them feel better, which, personally speaking, is the ultimate goal. While we cannot provide medical treatments like doctors do, such as medications and therapies, we can contribute to improving people's at-home experiences, as home stress is strongly associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Ideation:

One aspect that we may have overlooked in boosting spirits is scent. Some scents have been found to improve well-being and uplift mood on down days. Of course, we cannot rely solely on aromatherapy to treat anxiety or depression. Instead, we can encourage people to consider adding aromatherapy to their broader treatment plans. Using aromatherapy in conjunction with other treatments may help enhance mood and alleviate stress.

How might we harness the power of aromatherapy to treat depression and anxiety at home, providing people with a sense of relief and relaxation after a long day of work?

Research & Analysis:

Research indicates that an improvement in olfactory function is linked to a reduction in depression severity. Aromatherapy involves using organic compounds, known as essential oils, to enhance one's mood, mental state, or overall health. These essential oils are derived from various plant parts, including roots, seeds, leaves, and blossoms. They can be used individually or blended to create different combinations.

The following essential oils might be helpful:

Jasmine | Sandalwood | Ylang-Ylang | Clary Sage | Basil | Bergamot | Rose | Geranium | Neroli | Petitgrain | Lavender | Chamomile

Project Statement:

In this project, we aim to design an app that can suggest various essential oils or combinations of essential oils to users when they engage with the app. The app will include an AI chatbot that initiates a conversation when the user opens it, inquiring about their day. Based on the user's response, the AI will recommend specific essential oils. Users can then choose to use the recommended essential oil by adding it to their diffuser. We hope that this aromatherapy method can provide some relief to users who are struggling with depression and anxiety, even if in small ways.

Competitive Analysis:

The problem of addressing depression and anxiety in the United States has led to an emerging market for mobile applications focused on aromatherapy and mental well-being. The list below are some competitive existing apps, their features, and potential areas of improvement:

    • Strengths: offers a wide range of meditation and relaxation content, including guided sessions and sleep stories. It has a large user base and excellent user reviews.

    • Weaknesses: while includes elements of aromatherapy, such as soothing sounds, it doesn't provide specific aromatherapy guidance or personalized recommendations based on user input.

  • Headspace

    • Strengths: well-known for its meditation and mindfulness content, offers users relaxation techniques.

    • Weaknesses: lacks a dedicated aromatherapy feature or personalized scent recommendations.

  • Aura

    • Strengths: provides personalized meditation and mental health content, tailors recommendations based on user preferences and mood.

    • Weaknesses: while emphasizes mood enhancement, it doesn't currently integrate aromatherapy suggestions into its platform.

  • Aromahead

    • Strengths: an app that specifically focused on aromatherapy. It educates users about essential oils and their benefits.

    • Weaknesses: primarily serves as an educational resource rather than an interactive, mood-enhancing tool.

Project Highlights:

  1. Personalization: Many existing apps / websites provide generalized content for relaxation but lack personalized recommendations based on user preferences, moods, or daily experiences. Our app can stand out by offering tailored aromatherapy suggestions through AI-driven interactions.

  2. Combination / Integration: While aromatherapy is beneficial, it's often viewed as a standalone feature within existing apps. Integrating aromatherapy seamlessly into a holistic mental well-being app can attract users seeking comprehensive solutions.

  3. Education: Users may not be well-informed about aromatherapy and its benefits. Providing educational content within the app can enhance user engagement and understanding.

  4. Safety Information: Given the potential risks associated with essential oils, incorporating safety guidelines and warnings is crucial to ensure user well-being.

  5. Collaboration with Professionals: Our app has potential to partner with mental health professionals to develop evidence-based aromatherapy practices and integrating this expertise into the app can enhance its credibility.

Personas, Flow Diagam & Storyboard:

  • Background:

    • Name: Emma

    • Age: 28

    • Occupation: Marketing Manager

    • Location: New York City, NY

    • Marital Status: Single

  • Demographics:

    • Gender: Female

    • Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

    • Education: Bachelor's Degree in Marketing

    • Income: Middle class

  • Psychographics:

    • Highly ambitious and career-driven individual who thrives in a fast-paced work environment.

    • Often faces immense stress due to deadlines, demanding clients, and long working hours.

    • COVID has exacerbated her anxiety and stress levels, with remote work blurring the boundaries between professional and personal life.

    • Occasionally experiences symptoms of anxiety and mild depression, especially during the winter months when daylight is limited, or extra-long working hours. 

    • Uses her smartphone regularly for various tasks, including relaxation and entertainment.

  • Goals & Needs:

    • Seeks effective ways to manage her stress and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, especially when she returns home after a hectic day.

    • Desires a holistic solution that complements her ongoing therapy sessions, without relying solely on medication.

    • Curious about alternative therapies like aromatherapy but lacks knowledge and guidance on how to incorporate it into her daily routine.

    • Values convenience and prefers user-friendly digital solutions that fit seamlessly into her lifestyle.

    • Open to exploring new wellness practices and is interested in leveraging technology to improve her mental well-being.

  • Pain Points:

    • Lack of awareness about aromatherapy and essential oils.

    • Difficulty in finding the right scents and blends to improve her mood.

    • Limited time and energy to research and experiment with aromatherapy.

    • The need for an accessible and easy-to-use platform that integrates aromatherapy into her daily life.

  • Benefits from the App:

    • The app can provide Emma with personalized aromatherapy recommendations, taking into account her mood and daily experiences.

    • The AI chatbot can offer guidance on using essential oils and diffusers effectively.

    • Educational content within the app can address her lack of knowledge about aromatherapy.

Prototype in Figma:

Resources:

Adam P. Stern, MD, “Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Hope for Stubborn Depression”, HARVARD HEALTH BLOG, Harvard Health Publishing, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL, October 2020

Iden Wynn, “Why do scents, smells and fragrances affect your mood? An aromatherapist explains”, STYLIST, 2020

L.-B. Fan, J. A. Blumenthal, L. L. Watkins, A. Sherwood, “Work and home stress: associations with anxiety and depression symptoms”, Occupational Medicine, Volume 65, Issue 2, March 2015

Healthline, “Aromatherapy for Depression”, June 2016

Sabiniewicz, A., Hoffmann, L., Haehner, A. et al, “Symptoms of depression change with olfactory function”, Sci Rep 12, 5656, 2022

Kianpour, M., Mansouri, A., Mehrabi, T., & Asghari, G., “Effect of lavender scent inhalation on prevention of stress, anxietyand depression in the postpartum period”, March 2016