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When you catch a whiff of a scent you love, what happens? If you’re like most people, you smile and enjoy the simple pleasure. Maybe you seek out the source so you can smell more of it.
Sometimes, a scent evokes a strong memory. It can be enough to take you right back to a certain time or place – so much so that you might feel as though you were transported to the past. According to the American Psychological Association, this is known as involuntary memory.
It’s also referred to as a Proust Moment.1 French writer Marcel Proust described the phenomenon in his classic work, In Search of Lost Time. In the novel, he details the experience of smelling a madeleine (a small cake) that evokes strong memories of his childhood.
While those scents may evoke nostalgia, they could also be expanding your brain. Research has now discovered that breathing in certain scents might be a way to improve memory and cognitive performance in seniors.
The Aromatherapy Test
A study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience reports that seniors who were exposed to various natural oil fragrances for two hours each night over a 6 month time frame showed a significant increase in cognitive ability; in fact, that increase was a whopping 226%.2
Yes, you read that right: 226%.
That’s an eye-popping statistic that clearly shows just how deeply scents can affect our brains.
The study, performed at the University of California Irvine, looked at men and women between the ages of 60 and 85. Each patient was given seven scent cartridges and a diffuser to use them properly. Each cartridge contained different oil. Some received a full-strength cartridge while the control group was given the same scent, only in lower concentrations.
The scents included rose, lemon, eucalyptus, orange, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender.
The study participants put a different cartridge into the diffuser each evening before bed. The diffuser had a timer on it to ensure that the scents would be diffused for two hours as the participants slept. They repeated this nightly ritual for a period of six months.
The results were determined by memory tests given throughout the study, as well as by neuroimaging of the brain. Not only did the tests indicate no decline in brain function among the group that received the full “dose” of oil each night, the neuroimaging found that those who used the aromatherapy had better integrity in the left uncinate fasciculus. This is the part of the brain that connects the prefrontal cortex – where decisions are made – to the memory center of the brain.
The study provides clear evidence that the brain’s memory is connected to our sense of smell. This is exciting because aromatherapy can be a non-invasive way to enhance memory, and besides that, it’s simple and easy enough that most seniors will have no issue complying with using aromatherapy every night before bed. Just like wearing a senior medical alert system with fall detection becomes a habit, so will the use of brain-boosting essential oils.
The Power of Scent
Did you know that your ability to smell can predict the development of a wide variety of neurological and psychiatric problems? Scientists have found that losing the ability to smell is linked with Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, alcoholism, and Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Previous studies exposed those with moderate dementia to different odors a few times each day. The studies found that the scents led to a boost in memory and language skills. It also eased depression among the elderly and helped them sleep better.
This study was different in that it focused on only seven scents, rather than the 40 scents in previous studies. And rather than ask participants to breathe in the scents at various times during the day, the diffuser worked at night when the person was asleep – which meant they didn’t have to set aside any time during the day to focus on the study. They simply inserted a scent cartridge and let the diffuser do the work.
But why does aromatherapy work so well for seniors?
Most senses are routed through the thalamus of the brain. But the olfactory sense is directly connected to the memory bank of the brain. That’s why when you catch a certain aroma it will immediately invoke memories, even those from many decades ago. That memory can then trigger others. As the neurons in your brain race to talk to each other about what’s happening, the communication pathways of the brain are strengthened.
The loss of smell experienced by many during COVID infections placed a spotlight on the issue, as that loss of smell could accelerate other problems, including developing dementia.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, aromatherapy can bring a host of other benefits, including improvement of depression and anxiety. Aromatherapy can also be effective in reducing dry mouth, nausea, and low appetite. It can also help you get more restful sleep.3
Getting more restful sleep can affect every part of senior whole health, including how well your brain functions. Those who have depression and anxiety might also suffer from a sort of “brain fog” that prevents them from thinking clearly. Improving those factors can lead to a healthier brain, better memory, and preservation of cognitive function.
How to Use Aromatherapy at Home
There are dozens of essential oils out there, but some scents work better than others for cognitive improvement.
And depending upon medical conditions you might have, there could be some scents you should avoid. For example, peppermint has been shown to help with headaches, but it’s also been known to cause problems for those who have a rapid heartbeat. (For peace of mind at all times, it’s always good to wear a medical alert bracelet or wristband.)
The scents the recent study used - rose, lemon, eucalyptus, orange, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender – are among the best options for boosting brainpower. Just remember to switch up the scent every night, just like those in the study did.
Here are some other tips for choosing the best essential oils for your diffuser:
· Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can tell you which oils you should avoid, especially if there are any that might conflict with your health conditions or even medications you are taking.
· Choose pure essential oils. Avoid “fragrance oils” as these tend to be a small amount of essential oil blended with chemicals. These might smell wonderful but they aren’t suitable for aromatherapy. Look for a single, pure essential oil. The label should say 100% essential oil.
· Look into the company. Choose products from a company that has been around for a long time and has a good reputation for providing what they claim on the label. Look for a robust presence online and good reviews from the wellness community.
· Examine the label. Speaking of labels, look for the Latin name of the plant the oil was derived from, information on purity (it should be 100% oil), and the country where the plant was grown.
· Be savvy about containers. Pure essential oils will lose their potency when exposed to light. That’s why so many essential oils are sold in dark-colored containers. You should also look for essential oils in glass containers, as the oil can dissolve plastic over time, leading to tainted oil.
· Pay attention to price. Some essential oils will be more expensive than others. For instance, sandalwood is pricey, while sweet orange oil is much more affordable. If you find an essential oil with a very low price, be wary; a price that’s too good to be true is probably for oil that isn’t 100% pure, even if it claims to be on the label.
· Use the diffuser as directed. Use only the proper amount of essential oil in the diffuser. Top of Form
And by using it at night, you eventually make it part of your bedtime routine, which means you aren’t likely to forget to use it.
As you explore the essential oils that might work best for boosting your memory, don’t forget to pay attention to other aspects of senior health. A personal alarm button can provide peace of mind that if you suffer any sort of medical emergency, you can get the help you need right away. That reassurance can help you relax and enjoy a happy, healthy lifestyle even more.
