Lately, the soothing hum of essential oil diffusers has become familiar in homes, offices, and wellness spaces. These devices continue to gain popularity for their ability to disperse calming, healthy, and strong essential oil scents.
The oils promise various benefits, from stress relief to enhanced air quality. However, as their popularity grows, there have been concerns regarding the health issues linked to inhaling the aromatic clouds they produce.
So, is breathing in diffuser smoke a serene, health-boosting experience, or something that can compromise our respiratory health? In this article, we delve into examining the health benefits and potential hazards of these contemporary mist creators, and our expert opinion on this question.
What is a Diffuser?
A diffuser is essentially a device that disperses essential oils into your space. It can use mist, air pressure, a fan, and heat sources. There are four types of diffusers, and they are as follows:
- Ultrasonic diffuser
- Nebulizing diffuser
- Evaporative diffuser
- Heat diffuser
The smoke diffused often consists of highly concentrated extracts derived from plants, each with distinct aromatic and potential therapeutic properties. These extracts release microdroplets of essential oils into the air to create a fine mist or vapor that people around inhale.
Benefits of Using Diffusers
Diffusers are known to have some major benefits. They are used for aromatherapy. These devices help enhance sleep, as they come with essential oils to help you bank a good night's sleep. They also bring a calming effect to your home by diffusing relaxing fumes that help you unwind.
Another benefit is that they boost focus and enhance productivity. Today, there are essential oils that help your mind focus, for instance, uplifting scents of pines and eucalyptus. They also help get rid of unwanted smells in your house or workspace.
Potential Health Risks
A comprehensive study links diffusers to some serious health risks. One is that inhaling diffuser emissions can affect respiratory health, which can be detrimental if you have underlying health issues like allergies or asthma. The essential oils may irritate the airways, resulting in wheezing, coughing, and breath shortage.
Although they do not contain nicotine, regular use of diffusers can result in nicotine addiction from vaping a diffuser. You may start craving the sensation of inhaling or exhaling vapor. The diffusers also interfere with the indoor air quality if used often.
Diffusers also have toxicity concerns, especially if the essential oils are used in high doses. For instance, when you use oils rich in ketones and phenols, you can irritate mucous membranes or cause systemic toxicity if inhaled in large quantities. Also, some commonly used oils, like eucalyptus, can cause shortness of breath if they are not carefully diluted.
Expert Opinion
We cannot ascertain whether diffuser smoke is bad, as there are a lot of mixed opinions on this question. However, based on our understanding, diffuser smoke can be harmful if used for an extended period or if the essential oils are not fully diluted. Therefore, to alleviate risks linked to diffuser smoke, we recommend mitigating how often you use it to allow yourself to breathe natural air. Also, ensure the room your diffuser is in is well-ventilated.