Breathe the stress away with HarmoniScentz™ 

The connection between stress and fragrance  

Around the world, people are increasingly seeking ways to better manage stressful moments, as revealed through Givaudan’s global research, highlighting fragrance’s growing role in emotional well-being, particularly among women, Millennials and Gen Z, for whom it naturally fits into existing self-care routines. Unlike other senses, olfactory signals directly reach brain regions involved in emotion, memory and physiological regulation, allowing fragrance to influence how we feel and respond to the world around us with remarkable immediacy. Yet while many scents are appreciated for their pleasantness, only certain olfactive characteristics are consistently associated with measurable positive responses to acute stress.  

Dealing with stress through fragrance technology 

Identifying complete fragrances capable of supporting measurable stress responses has remained a complex challenge, requiring robust scientific measurement to better understand the subtle interactions between scent, psychology and physiology. To address this need, Givaudan introduces HarmoniScentz™, a new approach to fragrance creation combining neuroscience, psychological science and AI-powered consumer understanding to translate stress management research into actionable fragrance design. 

This patent-pending technology enables the creation of fragrances intentionally crafted to help consumers better manage their stress and navigate demanding moments with greater composure and emotional balance. Designed for applications ranging from fine fragrance to personal, fabric and home care, HarmoniScentz™ transforms everyday sensory rituals into experiences rooted in the science of well-being, supporting both mind and body. 

Measuring stress responses with precision  

At the core of HarmoniScentz™ lies OrbiScanz™, Givaudan’s proprietary wearable biometric platform designed to decode the body’s real-time response to stress. Using seamless “fit-and-forget” technology, OrbiScanz™ precisely captures physiological signals simultaneously during validated acute stress protocols, providing an accurate measure of the body’s real-time response and enabling a deeper understanding of how fragrance can influence moments of pressure. 

Built on dedicated studies involving several hundred participants exposed to controlled stress situations, the platform combines biometric measurement and AI-enhanced modelling to transform complex physiological data into actionable fragrance creation insights. Continuously evolving through ongoing research, OrbiScanz™ provides the scientific foundation behind fragrances designed to support emotional well-being and resilience in everyday life, generating valuable insights that deepen our understanding of stress responses and enhance our ability to create fragrances designed to help breathe stress away.  

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*Source: Gallup – Global Emotions 2025, N=145,000 across 144 countries.