Ayurvedic Oils and Sleep Neuroscience: Convergent Olfactory, Cutaneous, and Circadian Pathways in Sensory Neuroendocrine Regulation

Abstract

Sleep regulation is an emergent property of interconnected neural, endocrine, and autonomic systems that integrate internal physiological states with external environmental cues. Beyond canonical models centered on circadian timing and sleep-wake homeostasis, growing evidence highlights the role of sensory-driven neuromodulation in shaping sleep readiness and architecture. Olfactory and cutaneous sensory pathways possess direct access to limbic, hypothalamic, and brainstem networks implicated in emotional regulation, autonomic balance, and circadian synchronization. Ayurvedic traditions have long employed lipid-based botanical oils via topical application and aromatic exposure for sleep support; however, these practices remain underexplored within contemporary neuroscience frameworks. This paper presents a mechanistic synthesis of olfactory, cutaneous, and circadian pathways relevant to sleep neurobiology, proposing a convergent sensory-neuroendocrine model through which Ayurvedic oil exposure may influence sleep-related neural states. This work is conceptual and hypothesis-generating, without clinical evaluation.