2023-08-12 08:31:04
Smelling a good scent improves memory, a study published in a neurological journal
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Research has shown that smelling a good scent not only improves memory but also helps prevent dementia.[사진=게티이미지뱅크]If you go to sleep with a pleasant scent, even your brain becomes healthy.
American health information media ‘Everyday Health’ reported on the 11th (local time) that aromatherapy can improve memory. This means that even a small habit of placing a diffuser containing essential oils by your head before going to bed can help prevent dementia.
The study conducted an experiment on 23 elderly people between the ages of 60 and 85 without memory impairment, and found that drinking a pleasant scent during sleep dramatically improved memory following 6 months.
Michael Leon, professor of neurobiology at the University of California, Irvine, who participated in the study, said, “We confirmed that strengthening the sense of smell expands the memory area and improves function. It does,” he explained. Olfactory information is transmitted to the cerebrum through the olfactory bulb and the olfactory tract, and in particular, the olfactory tract delivers related information to the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center.
Dividing the participants into two groups, one side was provided with seven types of essential oils (rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender) and a diffuser, and instructed to use the diffuser containing the oil before going to bed. Each night, different essential oils were used alternately, and the fragrance was allowed to spread for regarding 2 hours following going to bed. The other group was also provided with diffusers and used nightly, but instead of essential oils, they were given distilled water with some deodorant added.
At the beginning and end of the experiment, both groups conducted a word list test to evaluate language learning and memory, and compared them. As a result, following six months, the participants in the aromatherapy group improved their cognitive ability by a whopping 226% compared to the control group. The study was published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, an international journal in the field of neuroscience.
Although it is difficult to generalize the results due to the small size of the experiment, experts say that the relationship between smell and memory has already been confirmed to some extent. Numerous studies have already demonstrated that the sense of smell has a powerful and targeted impact on post-sleep memory. There is also an analysis that this fact is related to the fact that all other senses receive information through the egg-shaped thalamus in the center of the brain and then transmit and interpret the information to the cerebral cortex, but the sense of smell sends information directly to the memory center.
Aromatherapy refers to the use of oils extracted from the roots, leaves, seeds or flowers of certain plants to create an environment in which our body and mind can feel comfortable. In addition to using a diffuser to feel the scent, there are various ways such as eating or applying directly.
Although it is not a cure for disease, it is loved by many because it has positive effects such as reducing stress and relieving pain. Lavender oil relieves insomnia and helps you get a good night’s sleep, while peppermint adds vitality to our body and relieves tension headaches.
However, there are a few things to be aware of when trying aromatherapy. First of all, since the effects of essential oils can vary from person to person, it is safe to decide which oil is right for your health condition, how to use it, and how much is appropriate through consultation with an expert. do. For example, peppermint oil can have side effects in people with fast heartbeats, and some essential oils cause uterine contractions and should not be used during pregnancy.
In addition, △Check whether synthetic ingredients are included △Store in a cool and dry place △Store out of reach of children and pets △Do a patch test before use when applying to the body △Dilute in a carrier oil such as jojoba oil or avocado oil How to use it is also important.
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