“What if the path to maintaining sharp cognitive abilities in old age is as simple as changing the scents in our bedroom?”
A recent research from the esteemed University of California reveals an enticing possibility that might have been overlooked: the profound impact of scents on our cognitive functions. The power of our sense of smell, often an underestimated and neglected sense, could potentially be harnessed to delay cognitive decline or even certain conditions like dementia. The research highlights the use of specific fragrances during sleep, showing promising results in enhancing cognitive function.
The Science Behind the Scent: Unveiling the Findings
Enriching our environment with specific scents, the research claims, fortifies a crucial connection between neurological areas responsible for memory and decision-making. This breakthrough discovery stemmed from an experiment involving 43 men and women, aged between 60 and 85.
Our olfactory capabilities deteriorate before our cognitive functions start to decline. This correlation suggests a strong link between smell and neurological function.
Science Alert notes that maintaining cognitive health requires not just regular mental exercises like puzzles but also a stimulating environment filled with various sensory inputs. For animals, a rich olfactory environment has been proven to promote neuroplasticity, especially in those exhibiting human-like neurological disorder symptoms.
It isn’t far-fetched to believe that humans could also benefit from a complex “olfactory landscape.” Unlike vision and hearing deficiencies, which can be addressed with glasses and hearing aids, the decline of our sense of smell hasn’t seen much innovative solutions.
To delve deeper into this phenomenon, 20 study participants were given a range of natural oils, including fragrances from rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, mint, rosemary, and lavender. The rest received a “placebo” scent. All were instructed to diffuse their assigned scent for two hours every night over six months. Their cognitive abilities, covering aspects like memory, verbal learning, and attention shift skills, were assessed before and after this period.
“A difference as clear as day.” Those exposed to the variety of fragrances showcased improved cognitive responses compared to the control group. Brain scans further revealed significant anatomical changes in areas vital for memory and thought within the test group.
Given these compelling findings, the next phase of research aims to ascertain if the results hold for those already diagnosed with cognitive decline. In essence, stimulating the olfactory senses might be a pleasant and effective method to give the brain its much-needed nightly exercise.
My name is Maggie and I’m a writer for thesilverink.com, a website dedicated to news, culture and lifestyle. I have always been passionate about writing and I decided to make it my profession by becoming a web editor. I work on joehovasmf.com and I mainly take care of the lifestyle section. I like to share my discoveries and my favorites with the readers, whether it’s about fashion, beauty, decoration or gastronomy.