Essential Oil Inhalation and Acute Stress Response in Healthy Adults

Part of paid clinical trials in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Sponsor
dōTERRA International
Study ID
NCT07473544
Status
Active Not Recruiting

Conditions

  • Psychological Stress

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 45 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Essential Oil Inhalation — OTHER
    Participants inhale an essential oil or essential oil blend administered via an individual aroma stick. At prespecified time points during baseline, stress induction (Trier Social Stress Test - Group version), and recovery or guided meditation procedures, participants are instructed to take five normal breaths from the aroma stick. The intervention is delivered in a randomized, double-blind manner and is standardized across participants within each study phase.
  • Placebo Aroma Stick — OTHER
    Participants inhale a placebo comparator administered via an aroma stick identical in appearance and delivery method to the experimental intervention but without active essential oil components. The inhalation schedule and procedures are identical to those used in the experimental arm to maintain blinding.

Study Details

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluates the acute physiological and subjective responses to essential oil inhalation in healthy adults. Participants are assigned to inhale either an essential oil or a placebo via an aroma stick during standardized laboratory procedures designed to induce temporary psychosocial stress (Trier Social Stress Test - Group version) and during a guided relaxation session. Physiological responses, including heart rate, heart rate variability, and electrodermal activity, are measured using a wearable sensor. Subjective stress and affect are assessed using validated questionnaires and visual analog scales. The purpose of this study is to characterize short-term autonomic and self-reported responses associated with essential oil inhalation under controlled experimental conditions. This study is exploratory and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition.

Key Dates

Start date
Mar 10, 2026
Status verified
May 2026
Primary completion
Mar 1, 2027
Completion
Dec 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
200 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

  • Experimental: Essential Oil Inhalation
    Participants inhale an essential oil or essential oil blend via an individual aroma stick during standardized stress induction (TSST-G) and guided relaxation procedures across two study visits.
  • Placebo Comparator: Placebo Inhalation
    Participants inhale a placebo aroma stick matched in appearance and delivery method but without active essential oil components during identical stress and relaxation procedures.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Stress Area Under the Curve (AUC) [ Time Frame: Baseline through 30 minutes post-stressor recovery (Study Visit 1) ]

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
dōTERRA InternationalPleasant GroveUtah84062-

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