Nightly Aromatherapy Boosts Cognitive Capacity by 226% in the Elderly
Neurology / 4 September 2023
A new study demonstrates how nightly aromatherapy can enhance memory in older adults. Over six months, subjects were exposed to various natural oil fragrances for two hours each night, leading to a remarkable 226% increase in cognitive capacity. The study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, confirms the direct link between the olfactory sense and the brain’s memory circuits, underscoring the potential of aromatherapy as a non-invasive memory enhancement technique.
Olfactory Abilities Linked to 70 Neurological Disorders
A groundbreaking study from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) reveals that nightly aromatherapy can significantly boost memory in older adults. For six months, participants aged between 60 and 85 were exposed to various natural oil fragrances nightly using an odorant diffuser.
Remarkably, this group demonstrated a 226% increase in memory compared to a control group. This method leverages the significant connection between olfaction and memory. Neurobiological assessments showed enhanced structural integrity in a key brain pathway, the left uncinate fasciculus, which typically deteriorates with age. Additionally, participants reported better sleep quality.
Decades of Olfactory Research Pays Off
The scientific community has recognized for years that our olfactory abilities, or the capacity to smell, could predict the onset of almost 70 neurological and psychiatric conditions. Notably, these include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, schizophrenia, and even complications arising post-COVID. Yet, until now, feasible solutions to this problem have been elusive. The study's innovative approach simplifies the process, using just seven different scents and targeting sleep—a time when people are already resting.
“The reality is that over the age of 60, the olfactory sense and cognition starts to fall off a cliff. But it’s not realistic to think people with cognitive impairment could open, sniff and close 80 odorant bottles daily. This would be difficult even for those without dementia.” said Michael Leon, professor of neurobiology & behavior and a CNLM fellow.
The study’s first author, Cynthia Woo, said: “We reduced the number of scents to just seven, exposing participants to just one each time, rather than the multiple aromas used simultaneously in previous research projects. By making it possible for people to experience the odors while sleeping, we eliminated the need to set aside time for this during waking hours every day.”
A Leap Forward in Memory Research
The results confirm the profound bond between smell and memory. Michael Yassa, the director of CNLM and a key investigator, explained that unlike other senses, our olfactory sense is directly linked to the brain's memory circuits. He emphasized:
"The olfactory sense has the special privilege of being directly connected to the brain’s memory circuits. All the other senses are routed first through the thalamus. Everyone has experienced how powerful aromas are in evoking recollections, even from very long ago."
With these promising results, the UCI team plans to investigate the technique's efficacy on individuals already diagnosed with cognitive loss. The findings could catalyze further research into olfactory therapies. Consumers can also look forward to a product influenced by this study, set to be launched this autumn.
Potential Impacts
This simple, non-invasive technique may offer a beacon of hope in our ongoing battle against cognitive decline and conditions like dementia. As the global elderly population increases, such findings become even more pertinent, potentially shaping how we approach memory care in the future.
Abstract of the research
Overnight olfactory enrichment using an odorant diffuser improves memory and modifies the uncinate fasciculus in older adults
Objective: Cognitive loss in older adults is a growing issue in our society, and there is a need to develop inexpensive, simple, effective in-home treatments. This study was conducted to explore the use of olfactory enrichment at night to improve cognitive ability in healthy older adults. Methods: Male and female older adults (N = 43), age 60–85, were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to an Olfactory Enriched or Control group. Individuals in the enriched group were exposed to 7 different odorants a week, one per night, for 2 h, using an odorant diffuser. Individuals in the control group had the same experience with de minimis amounts of odorant. Neuropsychological assessments and fMRI scans were administered at the beginning of the study and after 6 months. Results: A statistically significant 226% improvement was observed in the enriched group compared to the control group on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and improved functioning was observed in the left uncinate fasciculus, as assessed by mean diffusivity. Conclusion: Minimal olfactory enrichment administered at night produces improvements in both cognitive and neural functioning. Thus, olfactory enrichment may provide an effective and low-effort pathway to improved brain health.
About Author: Hüseyin Kandemir
As a medical journalist with over 20 years of experience, I have served as an Editor and Reporter for various magazines, newspapers, and online broadcasting platforms, consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to excellence in journalism. My specialization includes medical science, digital health, AI for health, data science, and biotechnology.
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