Why can the scent of apples relieve headaches? It turns out that the scent of apples can reduce the anxiety associated with headaches and distract attention, causing the muscles in the neck and head to relax from a tense state, thereby providing a "pain-relieving" effect. In fact, the relationship between migraines and the sense of smell has long been recognized; the two can influence each other. For example, certain olfactory stimuli can trigger a migraine attack, and some patients experience olfactory hallucinations during the prodrome phase of an attack.
Furthermore, feelings of anxiety and irritability can trigger migraines, and the painful experience of a migraine can also make patients more anxious. This is because migraines are closely related to the brain's limbic system, which governs emotions, memory, and more. The limbic system is also influenced by the sense of smell; for instance, smelling a favorite scent can elevate mood and cause excitement, while smelling an unpleasant odor can lead to irritability and discomfort. Therefore, the relief of migraines by the scent of apples is likely achieved through the limbic system. The scent is transmitted to the limbic system via nerves, and the positive experience allows the limbic system to integrate the patient's emotions, ultimately alleviating the migraine.
In fact, besides apples, the scents of other types of fruits, as well as scents like mint and tea, also have similar pain-relieving effects, although the efficacy varies depending on individual preferences. For mild headaches that do not require medication, this method can be appropriately used to relieve pain.