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.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Research showing that adding stimulation through odors improves memory
02:50 Michael Leon's story - education, research and working with rats
04:29 Environmental enrichment research
07:28 Mendability
08:31 Visual stimulation from the natural world
10:30 Olfactory stimulation deprivation
12:18 Brain-healthy stimulation - exercise and memory
14:11 Exposing older adults to pleasant overnight smells to improve memory - new research
15:26 Critical memory Pathway
16:49 Memory Air device
18:58 Emotional center of the brain and depression
19:45 Good smells vs bad. Do they have equal impact on the brain?
22:48 Control groups
24:25 How the Memory Air device was developed
26:21 Is it safe?
27:40 How does the Memory Air device make you feel?
29:07 Wine tasting technology for olfactory stimulation
31:00 Importance of odors from birth to old age
Read a transcript of this conversation and additional show-notes www.llamapodcast.com/Michael-Leon
Original research article
Overnight olfactory enrichment using an odorant diffuser improves memory and modifies the uncinate fasciculus in older adults
www.frontiersin.org/journals/...
Memory Air
learn.memoryair.com
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27 июн 2024
