Beware of Artificial Fragrances

Fragrance compounds have become integral part of every household. They make us smell nice, but that's on the surface level.

How is it impacting our body’s immune, lymphatic, neural, hormonal system? Nobody gives much thought to it. Unfortunately, its spreading its toxicity everywhere.

Synthetic fragrance is a rather new addition in the long human history. So, the immune system finds it alien and ups its defense when exposed to perfumes regularly.

Benzene rings are present in the components of perfumes. To the biochemical system in the body, these components are hormone-mimics, as hormone have benzene steroid ring. So, a number of hormone-propelled paths are activated by fragrance exposure. Cytochrome enzymes, especially aromatases, responsible for the hormone metabolism, are overexpressed on scent exposure.

Perfumes cause estrogen dominance. It affects the endocrine system in both males and females. It makes the human body inflammatory. If the modern society is beset with diabetes, obesity, cancer, asthma, dermatitis, early puberty, gynecomastia, multiple sclerosis, PCOS, infertility, and depression, among other pathologies, a major culprits are artificial fragrance compounds.

Therefore, it is important to scrutinize the dangers of fragrance compounds. We complain that healthcare cost is rising, countries are burdened, cancer rate is rising, and pristine places are getting polluted.

Then why don't we pay attention to this preventive measure? Are we really keen to find solution to above issues?

I understand that a majority of general public find it hard to wrap their head around the fact that something that smells so good and elevates their mood, can be so dangerous. Yes, my friends, your ancient fine-tuned immune system is offended big time by perfumes which is nothing but cocktail of endocrine disrupters.

Wake up from the celebrity cultures bombarding you with personal care products you must use. It's gullibility to believe them. They are just puppets of big businesses, with just profit in mind.

Understand what your body is trying to signal. It's not optional, but necessity.

I have felt the suffering that a hostile immune system is capable of inflicting. Its like being captive in own body. All the hormones, glands, nerves, blood plot against you. Where will you go, when they are what make you?

So, reduce artificial fragrance exposure in your life. If continued, even you eat organic, paleo keto, vegan food; practice yoga, gym, hiking; nothing can help. I mean it.

The link between fragrance-containing cosmetics and health problems has been proven through numerous research projects. But as if to not collapse the beauty and consumer product industry, its not brought forth to the public.

Its sad to admit, Kardashian antics, Trump gaffe, Will Smith slapping saga are published thousand times more.

Tons of perfumes are formulated each year with chemicals, which as I read in an article ‘I will not wash my floor with’. And here we are ingesting, inhaling and applying them on skin of our vulnerable body. With the exposure, glands are swelling and causing pain. Body is getting acidic, affecting enzymes and biochemical profiles.

In a way, we are breeding diseases by refusing to understand the nuances and mechanics of our body.

Smoking was banned from public places. I wonder if the artificial fragrance products, which are multiple times more dangerous, will ever be considered dangerous enough?

My heart cries to see strong scents swirling in my child’s school. She is only 5, yet even at that age, she is aware and unhappy to not be able to breathe fresh air. Her hair and clothes smell of those synthetic scents when she comes back home.

I’ve spoken with the staff, but you know—truth crawls, while lies gallop.

Please, my wise readers, read and share your precious insights. How do you think of scents and synthetic fragrances?

The handmade figure shows how I realized that artificial scents are dangerous. My spouse's deodorant aerosol wafted into my room and closed my windpipe telling me: “These things impact our hormones adversely.”

Let’s raise awareness against these dangerous chemicals.

Note: Hi, myself Dr. Seema Patel. Reach out to me at [email protected], if you want more clarity on this topic. I can also share my PubMed-published papers on this topic.