I hope this hasn't been done before (doh I miss a lot sometimes here).

Anyway, we've all heard of "Aromatherapy" before right? I tend to agree that certain fragrances affect our moods (albeit not in the hyped up way advertisors of fragrances like to make it sound like) in a subtle way. I mean, if I walk into a room that smells like trash, I'm not most likely going to be in a pleasant mood LOL. But on the other hand if I walk into a room that smells like Yankee Candles, different story (hehe, I just opened up a peach one, absolutely lovely, I love Yankee Candles!). Of course, again, it is a subtle thing, if I'm in a room with an insulting jerk, the surrounding fragrance isn't going to mellow my reaction. But it DOES make a difference. I remember last year the news was mentioning how some Subway stations were thinking about using Aromatherapy on their trains to accommodate riders, to make them feel calmer, more relaxed, and giving an effect of "this is a nice place, don't stab anyone here LOL." I'm all for that idea myself, I don't think it will hinder crime much, but it will make said ride much more pleasant no doubt [img]smile.gif[/img]

As for colors, some say that colors also affect people moods. This I'm a bit sketchy on, but in some ways I can see where they get that notion from. When I walk into a room I instantly get a "feeling". If I were to walk into a room with black painted walls, I'd probably feel suppressed. As for other colored rooms, each give me an individual feeling, but not really one I can express in words really, as it is so subtle.

So what are yall's take on it? [img]smile.gif[/img]

As far as scientific studys go I am aware of some that would support this theory. I don't remember the specifics of it, but I know that it was found that by the different amounts of lighting in an office, the employees would work harder, or not as hard, on the basis, of the amount of light that they had. I am sure colors and probably fragrances are the same way.

Fragrances sure can change your mood very quick, especially with 4 guys in a car with closed windows. :D

Color does make a big impact on mood. Often designers choose colors based on what mood they are trying to evoke. Companies use mood testing based on color to design everything to restaurant eating areas to bathrooms. It is also used in some hospitals to calm manic oroverly aggressive patients.
I'll never forget the first time I visited a patient who was manic depressive and had gone off his medication. I walked into his room and everything was pepto-bismal pink. I mean everything. The floor, the ceiling, the blinds,
the sheets, his pajamas, everything. After about 5 minutes you began to feel that all the energy was being sucked out of your body. You can't maintain the energy to be manic or angry in that kind of enviroment. This way they don't have to restrain the patients. It's very weird though.

Interesting replies thanks. [img]smile.gif[/img] The question I have now though, is WHY do colors and/or fragrances affect our moods? I suppose the fragrance part might be a physical nasal thing, but what about color? There is definitely something to it, but what? Anyone ever heard of Feng Shui (sp?)? It kind of explains why, but I'm not sure if I'm buyin it.

[ 11-07-2002, 08:53 PM: Message edited by: ladyzekke ]

I'm not sure how they affect us. I guess it sorta depends on whether you like the color/scent or not.

Sir Goulum, it is cracking me up seeing your Elder Orbs Avatar at your age!! Funny stuff! [img]smile.gif[/img] :D

Colours affect moods of consumers in different ways. Red makes people aggresive, while various shades of green tend to make people hungry. To get off topic a tad, it's interesting to note that the standard dollar sign ($) used to have to lines through it, but that was found to make people angry and not want to buy.

I'm older than I seem! *grabs a cane* [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img]

Weird Animal, never heard that one before about the dollar sign, never noticed either! I have heard though that Red and Yellow together make people hungry, and if you think about it, lots of restaurants use those colors (McDonalds, Subway...). I guess I do think of food if I see those colors, but I'm not sure it is a color thing or just growing up with the Red and Yellow McDonalds sign all over creation, including TV [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Weird Animal, never heard that one before about the dollar sign, never noticed either! I have heard though that Red and Yellow together make people hungry, and if you think about it, lots of restaurants use those colors (McDonalds, Subway...). I guess I do think of food if I see those colors, but I'm not sure it is a color thing or just growing up with the Red and Yellow McDonalds sign all over creation, including TV [img]tongue.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Hmm...no colors make me hungry. Just my tummy does! :D

Weird Animal, never heard that one before about the dollar sign, never noticed either! I have heard though that Red and Yellow together make people hungry, and if you think about it, lots of restaurants use those colors (McDonalds, Subway...). I guess I do think of food if I see those colors, but I'm not sure it is a color thing or just growing up with the Red and Yellow McDonalds sign all over creation, including TV [img]tongue.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]I was involved in quite an extensive survey back in '89 '90 regarding the dollar sign. I actually tried that recently in one of my stores, and perhaps it was coincidence, but I found that if the items were tagged using a double strike through the dollar sign, consumers tended to migrate more towards items that were tagged with just a regular dollar sign.
As for the colours, have you noticed that McDonalds has changed their colours quite a bit in the past few years? I don't know about your part of the world, but here they've changed at least three times in as many years.

....they have? [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Weird Animal, never heard that one before about the dollar sign, never noticed either! I have heard though that Red and Yellow together make people hungry, and if you think about it, lots of restaurants use those colors (McDonalds, Subway...). I guess I do think of food if I see those colors, but I'm not sure it is a color thing or just growing up with the Red and Yellow McDonalds sign all over creation, including TV [img]tongue.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]I was involved in quite an extensive survey back in '89 '90 regarding the dollar sign. I actually tried that recently in one of my stores, and perhaps it was coincidence, but I found that if the items were tagged using a double strike through the dollar sign, consumers tended to migrate more towards items that were tagged with just a regular dollar sign.
As for the colours, have you noticed that McDonalds has changed their colours quite a bit in the past few years? I don't know about your part of the world, but here they've changed at least three times in as many years.</font>[/QUOTE]LOL, I'll have to pay attention next time I go shopping and see if I have leaned towards items without the slash in the dollar sign! Swear I never noticed it LOL... As for Mickey D's, haven't noticed their color changes myself, I don't go there often, but it must have been a subtle color change though, as it at least here where I live is still the basic red and yellow.

....they have? [img]tongue.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]Most McDonalds are franchise stores, so the owner of that particular site has some control of the colours to use. They tried green here for a while as well as a bright yellow (yuck!) I don't think we'll ever fully understand how the human brain processes certain colours or fragrances, but it is quite fascinating to be involved in any studies involving human interpretation of sensual impulses.

Speaking from personal experience, I reckon colors and smells do have a strong impact on my moods. I've come across certain unpleasant smells which really do upset me, and contrariwise fragrant scents do cheer me up considerably (my favorites are jasmine and sandalwood ;) ). Similarly, red and orange in excess make me very tired, while I find strong blues invigorating.

After a meal at Taco Bell, trust my I can introduce you to some unpleasant smells!

Uhhhh... Please don't... [img]graemlins/uhoh1.gif[/img] :D

Yeah run for the Border KT, they don't call him "Animal" for nothing! [img]smile.gif[/img] ROTFL..

Fragrances bug me im afraid, im allergic and i get head aches and sometimes i get ill.

That explains a few things. I get the munchies most when sitting in my bedroom
(light green walls) and get aggresive with my guy friend (I won't say in what way ;) ) when sitting in the living room (red walls). I usually feel calmer and in a good mood after being in my son's room to watch TV with him or read a story to him (bright and light blue walls).
Sounds effect me more than smells, though. I listen to oldies in the morning to wake up, hard rock or metal during the day when my son and friends are tearing around the house, and classical type music before bed.