Most people to smell The sense of is considered less important than the other five senses. Research shows that this sense not only of food, flowers And other things are important for recognition but also important for memory enhancement.
USA Today has released a report in this regard.
A new study has determined whether memory can be strengthened by stimulating the sense of smell.
According to the study, published in the journal Frontiers Neurosciences, older adults who were exposed to a particular smell during sleep performed better on a verbal memory test. In addition, they improved performance in the brain pathway that supports memory.
“This is an important first step in showing how the very simple enrichment of smell can affect memory, or at least prevent it from being lost,” said Leslie Kay, professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Chicago. Can.’
Many neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia and Depressionare born before the sense of smell weakens.
It has long been known that damage to the sense of smell, whether due to aging or from toxins, smoking and severe nasal congestion, contributes to memory loss.
‘As we age, memory keeps pace with the ability to smell,’ says Michael Levine, professor of neuroscience and behavior at the University of California, Irvine.
Of course, this was not a large study and it examined 43 healthy volunteers between the ages of 60 and 85.
Half of the participants were exposed to the scent for two hours each night for four months. These people’s verbal memory was 226 percent better than those who were not exposed to the smell. Brain scans of these people also showed a difference.
Why does this happen?
There is a biological rationale for the connection between memory function and the sense of smell. The olfactory system in the brain is a connection or two away from the area involved in perception, and in fact the two areas are close to each other. While the olfactory and auditory systems are far away.
According to Levin, smell is the only sense that has a direct route to the center of memory and consequently has a greater influence on memory than the other five senses.
Levin and the research team were surprised to see improvements in verbal memory. Most of the people are unable to recognize the perfume, they know that such and such perfume is good, but they cannot recognize the smell of rose or cinnamon etc.
A recent study of elderly people with dementia found that exposing them to 40 different scents twice a day significantly improved their memory.
Of course, extensive testing and research is needed to confirm the idea that stimulating the brain with different scents enhances memory or slows down cognitive decline.
Stimulating the sense of smell is more important than ever.
In this context, says Leslie Key, ‘coronavirus has increased the risk of loss of sense of smell. About 15 million people lost their sense of smell for months after contracting Covid-19, although not permanently, which could put them at risk of cognitive problems later in the brain, the study found.
He says: ‘I think it’s really important to focus on the health of the sense of smell right now.’
Even a mild form of Covid-19 can cause problems in the parts of the brain associated with the sense of smell, suggesting that a wave of dementia may follow Covid-19.
Which fragrance is good for improving memory?
‘The type of fragrance doesn’t matter much,’ says Levine. Of course, it is not right to combine different fragrances, but the more variety of fragrances, the better.’
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According to them, whether a person is asleep or awake does not affect the perception of the scent, but using a diffuser at night is in any case easier than opening a bottle of perfume twice a day and trying to smell it. .
“Smells don’t disturb sleep,” Levin says. Bright light, sound and touch wake people up. ‘But people don’t wake up to the smell – even if it’s frying meat.’
According to Levin, the brain needs different stimuli, especially with age.
Older people with cataracts need surgery to improve their vision. People who have hearing problems should use hearing aids.
After nationwide quarantines and shutdowns during the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone needs to increase their social connections. Exercise and healthy eating are essential elements of life.
Now researchers recommend that we add olfactory stimulation to the list of activities we do to fight brain aging.
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Memory Air cost
**Interview with Leslie Kay: The Connection Between Smell and Memory**
*Interviewer*: Today we have Dr. Leslie Kay, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Chicago, who has been researching the impact of smell on memory. Thanks for joining us, Dr. Kay!
*Leslie Kay*: Thank you for having me!
*Interviewer*: Your recent study has revealed some fascinating insights about how the sense of smell can enhance memory, especially in older adults. Can you elaborate on the key findings?
*Leslie Kay*: Absolutely. We conducted a study where older adults were exposed to a specific scent during sleep over a four-month period. We found that these participants performed 226% better on verbal memory tests compared to those who weren’t exposed to the scent. Moreover, brain scans indicated enhanced activity in areas associated with memory.
*Interviewer*: That’s impressive! What do you think is driving this connection between smell and memory?
*Leslie Kay*: The olfactory system has a unique connection to the brain’s memory centers. It operates on a pathway that is just a couple of connections away from the areas involved in memory perception. This proximity allows smells to evoke strong memories, perhaps even more so than other senses like sight or hearing.
*Interviewer*: You mentioned the potential implications of smell loss due to neurological conditions. Could you tell us more about that?
*Leslie Kay*: Yes, the decline in olfactory ability is often one of the first signs of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Our sense of smell and memory are closely interlinked, and as our olfactory function declines, so does our memory capability.
*Interviewer*: Given the rise of COVID-19, how does this connect to your research on smell?
*Leslie Kay*: COVID-19 has significantly impacted people’s sense of smell, with many experiencing long-term loss. This could pose risks for cognitive decline later because, as we discussed, the integrity of olfactory function is crucial for memory. We need to pay attention to preserving and stimulating our sense of smell, especially now.
*Interviewer*: What’s next for your research? Do you plan to explore specific scents that could help enhance memory even further?
*Leslie Kay*: While we’ve found that the type of fragrance may not matter as much, I believe that more extensive research is necessary to understand how various scents can distinctly impact cognitive function. We need larger studies to confirm these findings and establish a clearer framework for using scents therapeutically.
*Interviewer*: Thank you for your insights, Dr. Kay. It seems that we should be paying more attention to our sense of smell, not just for pleasure but for our mental health as well.
*Leslie Kay*: Exactly! It’s a fascinating area of study with the potential for significant impacts on aging and neurological health. Thank you for having me.