Research

Calmly has built its health innovation on strong safety and wellness principles. From the early stages of aroma development, the company partnered with Dr. Wendy Maddocks (RN, DHlthSc), a leading clinical aromatherapist and healthcare researcher. Her research informed the creation of Calmly’s blends and safety framework. If you’d like to request the full list of ingredients in our eight blends, you can click on the “Support” tab below.

Dr. Maddocks was commissioned to design essential oil blends that (1) promote relaxation, (2) energise and engage the senses, (3) ease nicotine withdrawal, and (4) remain intriguing without being overpowering. The Calmly device uses no heat, smoke, or vapour clouds, protecting the integrity of the oils and distinguishing it from vaping or tobacco products. Instead, it supports relaxation through deep breathing and the therapeutic effect of aromatic molecules absorbed in the limbic system. This unique point of difference is a major advantage over more traditional direct inhale products, by protecting the lungs and reducing throat irritation.

Safety has been a key driver for our research. Ingredients linked to vaping-related harms—such as propylene glycol, glycerine, Vitamin E, and Polyethylene Glycol PEG-based solubilisers—were excluded due to their potential to release toxic compounds or cause respiratory issues. Instead, the blends are diluted in coconut-derived MCT oil, a stable, tasteless carrier widely recognised for safety in both food and inhalation studies, with no evidence linking it to lipid pneumonia.

Essential oils themselves are complex plant extracts containing hundreds of compounds. While widely used in food, skincare, and wellness, not all are safe for inhalation. Some constituents can irritate airways, while others, like menthol, have beneficial effects. Each Calmly blend was carefully screened for safety, availability, ecological impact, and function (calming, uplifting, or restorative), with chemical analysis ensuring the exclusion of any compounds likely to irritate or harm.

The following example demonstrates the safety analysis applied to Calmly’s aromatic ingredients by our Clinical Aromatherapist:

Aroma Ingredient: Coffee CO₂ extract: The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and Certificate of Analysis (COA) for this product were downloaded and reviewed. In addition, further information was obtained from the main global supplier of C0₂ extracts. The key points in relation to Calmly use are as follows:

1. Batch Number 244-015 Lot 8 Coffee Arabica CO₂ Total Extract 15 ml. Upon opening the bottle, the product smelt of freshly roasted coffee beans and contained a dark, mobile liquid which is easily pourable and able to be used with a pipette easily. The extract had a slippery, oily texture when rubbed on the fingers and after a while the aroma gave a smoky after effect.
2. The COA notes the following “Fatty oil with the flavour components of roasted coffee” which is consistent with what I found. Both companies had limited details on the analysis of the constituents, however the key point is that caffeine is less than 0.5%. Other components were “2-furanmethanol, methyl pyrazine, 2,6 dimethyl pyrazine, 5-methylfurfural, 2-furanmethanol acetate” however % are not stated in any documents.
3. The COA details the toxicology and safety information. In summary there are no known ingredients which are known to cause harm, birth defects or cancer. The extract is approved for use “as flavour in bakeries, candies, ice cream, desserts, beverages, in cosmetics and perfumery”. The datasheet analysis notes that if heated to high temperatures there is a risk of potentially hazardous substances being released, however as Calmly does not involve any heating it eliminates this risk if inhaled.
4. Safety Considerations: The key aspect of using coffee C02 is to give users the experience and perceived benefits of coffee without drinking it. There are several issues to consider with the use of caffeine. A ‘typical’ cup of coffee would contain between 40-100mg of caffeine and the recommended maximum caffeine intake during pregnancy is 200mg.
5. Inhaling caffeine has a faster effect than oral absorption, as it bypasses the “first pass effect” of liver metabolism. Studies have suggested the inhalation bioavailability of caffeine is 60-70% faster but with a shorter duration of effect. Taking this into account the estimated dose of actual caffeine in a Calmly product would be:

• 1 gm coffee CO₂ extract would contain 0.0058gm      = 5.8 mg
• At 1% Coffee CO =5.8mg per100ml diluted FCO         =0.058mg per ml
• At 2.5% Coffee CO₂= 14.5mg per100ml diluted FCO  = 0.148 mg per ml
• At 5% Coffee CO₂=29mg in 100 per diluted FCO        = 0.29mg per ml
• At 20% Coffee CO₂ = 116mg in 100ml diluted FCO     = 1.16 mg per ml

The inhaled doses of caffeine per round are well within the recommended dose levels.

Suggested Safety Recommendations: Do not use if allergic to caffeine. Discontinue use if any adverse effects (e.g fast heart rate, shortness of breath).