New research suggests that exposing older adults to pleasant scents at night through an essential oil diffuser can significantly enhance memory and cognitive function.
The study conducted by the UCI Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory involved participants aged 60-85 using various scents like rose, lemon, and lavender before sleeping.
After six months, those exposed to the scents exhibited a 226% improvement in word recall memory and increased integrity in memory-related brain pathways.
Unlike complex cognitive training, this simple sensory enrichment during sleep could be a practical method to counter age-related memory decline, offering hope for cognitive improvement in aging individuals.
