In this episode of the Fieldnotes Podcast, Dr. Rob Downey speaks with Jodi Cohen, founder of Vibrant Blue Oils, about the transformative power of essential oils on the brain and nervous system. Cohen recounts her personal journey, showing how scent can help regulate the vagus nerve, restore parasympathetic balance, and support emotional healing. She explains the direct neurological link between smell and safety, how scent can rewire stress responses, and why essential oils like clove, lime, and rose can serve as simple yet profound tools for trauma recovery, anxiety relief, and nervous-system regulation. Timestamps: (01:18) Started using oils for sleep (03:50) Discovered vagus-nerve stress connection (05:57) Created clove-lime parasympathetic blend (12:49) Used rose oil to heal grief (27:15) Linked neck fascia to relaxation ____________________________________________________________________________ Key Takeaways: Smell directly accesses the brain. Oils can shift stress to calm. The vagus nerve controls healing. Grief inspired powerful emotional blends. Regulation begins with the parasympathetic system.