Soothing? I have a disgust of all things lavender, and I don't appreciate being subjected to the aroma when colleagues use lavender products. I wonder if there's a connection between my visceral reaction and my general lack of ability to relax.
Entirely possible. Think of cilantro that tastes and smells like soap for some people. Contrary to popular belief, we do not all perceive the world in the same ways.
"This may be traced to the OR6A2 gene, an olfactory receptor able to bind many of the aldehydes implicated in the herb's very particular smell. Perhaps those with a specific variation in the gene are particularly sensitive to its soapiness."
Same here, can not stand the smell of lavender. Never found it relaxing. Do not know why. At the same time I can not smell fish-sauce at all which many people do find revolting.
Another +1 here. Intense visceral disgust of lavender. I don't think I'm "smell-sensitive" in any other way. I can tolerate all manner of, e.g., dank cheese, pungent fish, fragrant smoke, any other plant oil, etc. I just can't stand lavender.
