Making Scents Of Positive Memories
Could sentimental aromas help spur memories? That’s the question posed by a recent study by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC. They found that scents are more effective than words in triggering memories in people with depression. The study involved 32 participants with major depressive disorder, which is associated with difficulty recalling personal memories. Those who received a series of opaque glass vials containing potent familiar scents — everything from oranges and ground coffee to shoe polish and Vicks VapoRub — could recall memories better and more vividly than those who were given word cues. In addition, these memories were typically characterized as positive. While more advanced studies using brain scans are planned, these findings suggest that scent cues could be beneficial in clinical settings to help depressed people rewire negative thought patterns and aid in their healing process.
Source
jamanetwork/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2814989
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