Incense Guide / History
Incense and Alpha Waves: What EEG Studies Show
What small EEG studies observed during scent exposure, what they cannot prove about incense, and how to use incense with care.
You light an incense stick. The scent arrives as the ash gathers. Does that scent change your brain's alpha waves? Small studies have measured EEG responses to odors. Their results do not establish a reliable effect from MoNian incense.
Short answer: Incense odor has been studied with EEG. One small study found changes in a narrow alpha band. Other studies used essential oils, not burning incense. Their sandalwood results differ. No study cited here shows that a MoNian stick produces a specific brainwave state.
This guide separates EEG observations from product claims. It also explains what to consider before lighting incense indoors.
What are alpha waves?
Electroencephalography, or EEG, records electrical activity at the scalp. Researchers group parts of that signal by frequency. Alpha commonly refers to activity around 8 to 13 hertz. Study definitions and measured regions can differ. [1]
An alpha reading is not a personal state label. It cannot, by itself, confirm that someone feels calm. Nor does it show why a change occurred. Study design, comparisons, and behavior all matter.
What did the incense EEG study find?
A 2009 study recorded EEG in ten healthy adults. The researchers compared an incense odor with rose oil and odorless air. During incense exposure, fast alpha activity increased in posterior regions. The comparison with rose oil reached statistical significance. [1]
The team also examined responses during a simple button task. Some measurements differed during incense exposure. Others did not. These observations came from a small, controlled experiment.
The result does not identify every incense ingredient. It does not test MoNian products. It does not prove that lighting incense improves attention. A scalp recording cannot turn a scent into a guaranteed outcome.
What do sandalwood studies show?
Sandalwood is often named in scent research. Yet the method matters. An essential oil inhalation study does not test smoke from a burning stick.
In 2023, researchers compared lemon, sandalwood, and kusunoki oils. They measured EEG during a working-memory task. Their reported sandalwood result involved beta and gamma activity. The persistent alpha observation occurred during lemon oil inhalation. The study was funded by an incense company. Two authors were its employees. [2]
An earlier study included thirteen healthy women. It compared four essential oil odors. Sandalwood showed no significant alpha-1 change in that experiment. The researchers also recorded subjective scent ratings. [3]
These findings do not make sandalwood an alpha-wave switch. They also do not establish the opposite for every setting. Sample size, odor material, task, and EEG band all vary.
| Study | Exposure | Useful boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Iijima et al., 2009 [1] | Incense odor, ten adults | A fast-alpha observation; no MoNian product test |
| Ueda et al., 2023 [2] | Three essential oils during a memory task | Sandalwood related to beta/gamma, not a guaranteed alpha response |
| Masago et al., 2000 [3] | Four essential oils, thirteen women | No significant alpha-1 change under sandalwood |
Why these results cannot prove a product effect
Odor, essential oil, and incense smoke are different exposures. A named botanical note does not confirm a finished stick's composition. We have not tested the products discussed here with EEG.
Small experiments can suggest questions for further research. They cannot assign one brainwave band to each fragrance. The old claim that lavender means theta is unsupported here. So is the claim that citrus means anxious beta.
Personal scent preference also differs. A person may simply notice an aroma. That experience needs no brainwave explanation. Choose a scent for its stated notes and use instructions.
Using incense with care
Lighting incense produces smoke. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists burning incense among indoor particle sources. Reducing the source and improving ventilation can lower indoor exposure. [4][5]
Use a stable, heat-resistant holder. Follow the incense and holder instructions. Keep the lit end away from fabric, children, and pets. Stay present while it burns. Extinguish it before leaving the room. Avoid use where smoke is restricted or bothers someone nearby.
For timing and safe placement, read our incense burn-time guide. It explains why burn duration differs by form and setting.
Common questions
Does incense increase alpha waves?
One study of ten adults reported a fast-alpha difference. That finding does not apply automatically to other incense. It cannot predict one person's response. [1]
Does sandalwood oil equal sandalwood incense?
No. Oil inhalation and a burning incense stick differ. The cited oil studies do not test a finished MoNian stick. They also report different EEG observations. [2][3]
Can a scent tell you which brainwave you have?
No. EEG requires measurement and interpretation. A fragrance name does not identify an individual's EEG pattern.
Is incense smoke-free?
No. Burning incense creates indoor particles. Ventilate the space and consider other occupants. [4]
Explore incense at MoNian
Browse the MoNian incense collection. Read each product's materials and instructions before use. A scent name is not a medical or cognitive claim.
Sources and methods
- Iijima M, et al. Incense odor, EEG, and event-related potentials. Neuropsychobiology, 2009. Ten healthy adults; odor comparisons.
- Ueda K, et al. Lemon, sandalwood, and kusunoki essential oils. Brain and Behavior, 2023. EEG and memory task; industry funding disclosed.
- Masago R, et al. Essential oil inhalation, EEG, and scent ratings. 2000. Thirteen healthy women.
- U.S. EPA. Sources of Indoor Particulate Matter.
- U.S. EPA. Improving Indoor Air Quality.
Sources checked September 21, 2026. This is an editorial evidence review, not product testing. MoNian has not measured EEG responses to its incense.