A new study at the University of California demonstrates how nightly aromatherapy can enhance memory in older adults. Many people have experienced how a certain aroma can bring back memories of a situation from their past. But as we age our sense of smell can diminish, and scientists are studying whether this is connected to the loss of cognition. Previous studies found that exposing people with moderate dementia to different odours twice a day boosted their memories. The goal of this new research was to turn that knowledge into an easy and non-invasive tool for boosting memory. 

The participants in this six month study were men and women aged 60 to 85 with no serious memory impairment. All were given an oil diffuser and cartridges containing different natural oils. One group received full-strength cartridges, while a control group were given cartridges with only tiny amounts of the oils. Each participant put a different cartridge into their diffuser every evening prior to going to bed, and it activated with natural aroma for two hours as they slept. The results were extraordinary. People in the full-strength group showed an amazing 226% increase in cognitive performance compared to the control group. Brain scans also revealed that they had developed better connections in their neural pathway that controls decision making – something that generally becomes less robust with age. Project leader Cynthia Woo says that she hopes these findings will lead to more investigations into how aroma therapies aid memory impairment.