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Anxiety in Rodents.pdf (2.98 MB)

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The Effects of Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils on Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodents

Beakas, Jenna Ashley
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ma165272160760904

Abstract Details

2021, Undergraduate Honors Program, Malone University, Honors Thesis.
Lavender essential oil has been used as a treatment for anxiety in humans, while peppermint has been known to improve attention/concentration. There have been published studies showing a correlation between lavender essential oil inhalation and decreased anxiety-like behaviors in rats. However, no such research has been published on the effects of peppermint essential oil on rats. This study examined the effects of peppermint and lavender essential oils on anxiety-like behaviors in rats by using time spent in the closed versus open arms of an elevated plus maze (EPM) as a measure of anxiety-like behaviors (with more time in closed arms indicating anxiety-like aversion to open-arm exploration). Sixteen adult male Long-Evans (outbred) rats were tested in an EPM on three occasions (Baseline 1 [B1], Intervention, Baseline 2 [B2]). In this mixed design study, there was one between-subjects (grouping in Peppermint or Lavender) variable and one within-subjects (three EPM tests) variable. Results indicated no group difference. However, there was a significant difference with regard to the within-subjects variable. Baselines 1 and 2 yielded similar scores; in comparison, the Scent Intervention revealed more time spent in the open arms across both groups. Implications of these findings are that both peppermint and lavender may have had anxiolytic effects.
Lauren Seifert (Advisor)
41 p.
Alternative Medicine; Behavioral Psychology; Comparative; Mental Health; Psychology; Therapy
anxiety, essential oil, lavender, peppermint, rodent model, Rattus norvegicus, elevated plus maze

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Beakas, J. A. (2021). The Effects of Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils on Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodents [Undergraduate thesis, Malone University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ma165272160760904

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Beakas, Jenna. The Effects of Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils on Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodents . 2021. Malone University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ma165272160760904.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Beakas, Jenna. "The Effects of Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oils on Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodents ." Undergraduate thesis, Malone University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ma165272160760904

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ma165272160760904
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© 2022, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Malone University Undergraduate Honors Program and OhioLINK.