A new study reveals Essential oils that can make your old memories like new

It seems scientists at UC Irvine have found the best natural method to boost memory.

In a new study, researchers at the University of California, Irvine, who were searching for natural ways to improve memory found that when elderly citizens between the ages of 60 and 85 were exposed to the aromas of essential oils as they slept for two hours each night for a period of six months, their memories significantly improved.

A staggering 226% boost in cognitive function was observed compared to a control group.

Scientists say this discovery converts the long-recognized connection between smell and memory into a straightforward, non-invasive procedure that may strengthen memory and possibly counteract dementia.

The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.

Can essential oils really boost memory?

The experiment, which took place at the UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory, involved men and women with no memory impairments. They were each given a diffuser and seven cartridges filled with different natural oils.

Full-strength cartridges were given to those in the enriched group while the control group received oils in minute quantities. Every night before bed, the participants inserted a new cartridge into their diffusers, which then activated for two hours during sleep.

In the enriched group, the cognitive performance saw a 226% improvement compared to the control group, as determined by a word list test frequently used to assess memory. Brain imaging showed enhanced integrity in a brain pathway called the left uncinate fasciculus, which connects the medial temporal lobe to the prefrontal cortex involved in decision-making and tends to deteriorate with age. Furthermore, participants also reported better quality sleep.

It has been established that the loss of the ability to smell, or olfactory capacity, can forecast the onset of around 70 neurological and psychiatric diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, and alcoholism. There is growing evidence of a correlation between smell loss due to COVID and subsequent cognitive decline. Earlier studies have shown that exposure to numerous odors twice daily over a certain period improved memory and language skills, alleviated depression, and enhanced olfactory abilities in individuals with moderate dementia. The UCI team aimed to transform this understanding into a simple, non-invasive tool to combat dementia.

Michael Leon, a CNLM fellow, and professor of neurobiology & behavior, says, “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.”

Project scientist and the study’s primary author, Cynthia Woo, highlighted “That’s why 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.”

The researchers confirmed their findings align with what science has understood about the relationship between smell and memory. Michael Yassa, a collaborating investigator who holds the James L. McGaugh Chair in the Neurobiology of Learning & Memory and is the director of CNLM, mentioned that “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. However, unlike with vision changes that we treat with glasses and hearing aids for hearing impairment, there has been no intervention for the loss of smell.”

The team intends to investigate the method’s influence on individuals with diagnosed cognitive decline. They also anticipate that this discovery will promote further research into olfactory therapies for memory impairment. A product derived from their study and intended for home use is projected to be available in the market by the fall.

Essential Oils for Memory Boost

Participants in the olfactory enrichment group were supplied with a diffuser and seven different essential oil odorants: rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender.

Image Credit: Getty