Exploring the science and stories behind human longevity

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.

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.