The Science Behind PatchO

How it Works

At PatchO, we believe in gentle, thoughtful support for growing minds and bodies. That’s why our patches are designed using both time-tested natural ingredients and insights from modern science. Here's a closer look at how they work.

Aromatherapy & the Limbic System: Nature's Calming Connection

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to improve health and well-being. It typically involves inhaling the oils or applying them to the skin, and is often used to help manage stress, anxiety, and sleep issues.

When your child inhales the natural aromas from our essential oil-infused patches, the scent molecules travel through the nose to the olfactory bulb, which is directly connected to the limbic system—the brain's center for emotions and memory. This connection can influence mood, heart rate, and stress levels.

Aromatherapy has been shown to support relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep—not through sedation, but by helping the body shift into a calmer, more regulated state.

Scientific Insight:

• A 2013 review in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that essential oils like lavender and chamomile significantly reduced anxiety and improved sleep quality.
  Read the review
• A 2017 study in Neurochemistry International demonstrated how olfactory stimulation with essential oils affects neurotransmitters, influencing mood and stress.
  Read the study

Essential Oils in PatchO: Benefits & Scientific Support

Each PatchO patch contains a unique synergy of essential oils — carefully selected and balanced to offer emotional support throughout a child’s day, evenly diffused through a breathable, mess-free sticker. Our blend includes:

• Red Mandarin oil (Citrus reticulata) extracted from the skin (peel) of the mandarin fruit – Cheerful and bright, this citrus oil helps ease anxiety and uplift mood.
  Scientific Insight: Citrus oils like mandarin have been shown to reduce stress-related behaviors and support emotional well-being. Read more
• Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon flexuosus) extracted from the tall, tropical lemongrass plant– Uplifting but not overstimulating, it refreshes the mind while easing tension.
  Scientific Insight: Demonstrated calming effects on nervous system activity and potential insect-repelling benefits. Read more
• Lavender oil  (Lavandula angustifolia) extracted from the purple lavender flower – Known for promoting calm and improving sleep quality.
  Scientific Insight: Multiple clinical reviews confirm lavender’s ability to reduce anxiety and enhance rest. Read more
• Roman Chamomile oil (Anthemis nobilis) extracted from the white chamomile flower – Soothing and soft, chamomile is widely recognized for its calming effects on children and adults.
  Scientific Insight: Roman chamomile inhalation has been linked to reduced anxiety and better emotional regulation. Read more
• Rose Geranium oil (Pelargonium graveolens) extracted from the pink geranium flower and leaves–  Balancing and gently uplifting, it helps ease emotional fluctuations and restore a sense of calm.
  Scientific Insight: Studies suggest rose geranium may reduce anxiety and support emotional well-being through olfactory exposure, particularly in stress-related environments. Read more
• Benzoin oil (Styrax benzoin) extracted from the sticky sap of a benzoin tree – A sweet, resinous base note that adds warmth, comfort, and cohesion to the blend.
  Scientific Insight: Benzoin has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and perfumery for its soothing, calming scent. Its fixative properties help extend the life of the blend’s aroma, while its gentle, vanilla-like profile may support emotional regulation and relaxation in sensory environments.
  Read more

Wait, don’t the oils do opposite things? How can they work for both day & night?

It’s true that some essential oils are known for their calming effects (like lavender), while others feel more uplifting (like mandarin). But when blended thoughtfully, they don’t cancel each other out — they create balance.

The PatchO blend was designed to support emotional regulation, not sedation. That means it helps kids feel calm, grounded, and centered — whether they need to settle down for bedtime or stay steady during daytime challenges.

• Lavender and Roman Chamomile gently soothe the nervous system and ease tension.
• Red Mandarin and Lemongrass add a light, cheerful lift to promote emotional ease without overstimulation.
• Rose Geranium helps balance moods and supports emotional resilience.
• Benzoin adds a soft, grounding warmth that brings comfort and cohesion to the experience. 
  

Together, these oils don’t make kids sleepy during the day — they help take the edge off big emotions, making it easier to transition between activities or stay emotionally regulated.

Think of it as a gentle sensory anchor — comforting, not sedating.

Instead of using a single dominant scent, we’ve created a blend that’s:

• Gentle on sensitive noses
• Non-sedating
• Supportive of emotional flexibility
• Better tolerated than high concentrations of one oil

This makes it ideal for kids, especially those who are more sensitive to strong smells or easily overwhelmed. 

Together, these oils work in harmony — helping your child shift between play, rest, transitions, or tricky moments with a bit more ease.

Physiological Anchoring: Building Positive Associations

Consistent use of specific scents during calming routines can create "physiological anchors." Over time, your child's brain associates these scents with feelings of  familiarity and safety, making it easier to transition into calm states during stressful moments. 

It’s a bit like hearing a lullaby or holding a favorite toy: the brain goes, “I know this. I’m okay now.”.

Scientific Insight:

• A study explored how ambient smells impact emotions and physiology, indicating that certain scents can influence emotional states and behaviors.
  Read more

Comfort Companions: Building Connection & Confidence

Beyond the science of scent, the physical presence of a Comfort Companion offers emotional support. Children often form attachments to objects, which serve as transitional items — offering a sense of safety and reassurance during changes, challenges, or separation from caregivers.

Each PatchO Pal is thoughtfully designed to be more than just cute — they’re a friendly, familiar presence your child can look to for calm. These playful characters help create comforting routines, encourage emotional connection, and support smoother cooperation throughout the day.

Consistent use of Comfort Companions during familiar routines — like getting ready for bed, starting the school day, or winding down after a big feeling — helps children feel grounded and secure. Predictable routines and visual cues like these are shown to support emotional regulation and build resilience in young kids.

Even small choices — like letting your child pick which Pal they want to wear — can nurture confidence and autonomy. Research shows that giving children age-appropriate choices supports their sense of control and independence, which is key to building emotional confidence over time.

When combined with the gentle, regulating scent of the PatchO blend, your child receives multi-sensory support: a calming aroma, a familiar face, and a moment of loving connection — helping them feel seen, soothed, and ready for what’s next.

Scientific Insight and references

• Studies show that comfort objects can help children cope with anxiety and aid in emotional development.
  Read more
• Winnicott, D.W. (1953). Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena.
• Fiese, B. H., et al. (2002). "A Review of 50 Years of Research on Naturally Occurring Family Routines and Rituals." Journal of Family Psychology.
• Erikson, E.H. (1950). Childhood and Society. New York: Norton.
• Patall, E. A., Cooper, H., & Robinson, J. C. (2008). "The Effects of Choice on Intrinsic Motivation and Related Outcomes." Psychological Bulletin.

Gentle. Natural. Backed by Science.

PatchO Comfort Companions are:

• Made with 100% essential oils - no synthetic fragrances.
• Free from parabens, phthlates, and harsh chemicals.
• Grounded in child development principles adopting multi-sensory cues.
• Created to support—not replace—your parenting rhythms.

Whether it’s morning wake-ups, quiet playtime, or navigating emotional ups and downs, PatchO is here to make everyday routines feel a little smoother, safer, and more connected.