Scent and Stress: The Role of Lavender and Perception in Simulated Driving Scenarios

Marcin Czaban (), Sarah Victoria Mohr (), Joachim Riedl () and Stefan Wengler ()
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Marcin Czaban: University of Applied Sciences Hof, Institute for Information Systems
Sarah Victoria Mohr: University of Applied Sciences Hof, Institute for Information Systems
Joachim Riedl: University of Applied Sciences Hof, Institute for Information Systems
Stefan Wengler: University of Applied Sciences Hof, Institute for Information Systems

A chapter in Information Systems and Neuroscience, 2025, pp 243-258 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Stress increases the risk of road accidents by impairing driving performance. Although lavender is known for its calming effects, it remains unclear whether its use can reduce both cognitive (self-reported) and physiological stress in driving situations. In a simulated driving scenario, participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group exposed to lavender or to a control group. Physiological responses were measured via skin conductance response (SCR) and heart rate (HR), while on subjective level the NASA-TLX and a single-item self-report measure were attached. Contrary to expectations, lavender exposure generally elevated both physiological and self-reported stress levels. However, conscious perception of the scent moderated this effect, with participants who were aware of the lavender reporting significantly lower subjective stress. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of lavender depends on cognitive awareness, offering novel insights into olfactory interventions in high-stress environments.

Keywords: Driving simulation; Stress measurement; Olfactory stimulation; Lavender scent; Cognitive load (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:lnichp:978-3-032-00815-2_23

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-00815-2_23

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