Vetiver Oil for Sleep Quality

Research suggests that vetiver oil, when inhaled during sleep, may have the potential to enhance certain markers of sleep depth. A single laboratory study involving 34 healthy adults found that olfactory exposure to vetiver oil during non-REM sleep increased delta wave power and slow sleep spindles, both of which are associated with deeper, more restorative sleep stages, without triggering the brainwave disruptions typically caused by other sensory stimuli during sleep. The evidence base is currently limited to this one controlled polysomnography study, meaning findings should be interpreted cautiously, as replication across larger and more diverse populations, as well as real-world sleep settings, would be needed before broader conclusions can be drawn. Those interested in vetiver oil for sleep support should be aware that the current research, while promising in its direction, remains preliminary.