Sniffing pleasant smells to improve memory | Michael Leon

Memory loss is often cited as one of the most worrying aspects of growing older. But what if the section of the brain that's responsible for memory could be stimulated by simply sniffing a few pleasant odors?

There is extensive research pointing to a relationship between exposure to different smells and memory improvement.  A clinical trial led by Prof. Michael Leon at the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, suggests the loss of olfaction can cause the memory parts of the brain to deteriorate, while adding more smell experiences can improve memory. The research also explores the use of environmental enrichment, as it's known, to treat neurological disorders like autism.

Prof. Leon's team used diffusers to release various essential oils while participants slept, leading to improved memory and sleep. The results suggest that exposure to smells like orange and lemon significantly improves memory in older adults, with some experiencing a 226% increase.

Researchers have developed a device called Memory Air that automatically emits odors while individuals sleep, providing the brain with the necessary stimulation. In this interview we discuss the evidence and explore why such an approach could be valuable not only in improving memory but overall well-being.

▸ Read a transcript of this conversation + additional show-notes

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