A recent study published in the Brain Research Bulletin found that wearing a specific rose scent oil for a month can increase the size of gray matter in the brain. Researchers from Kyoto University and the University of Tsukuba asked 28 women to wear the scent on their clothing for a month, while another 22 volunteers wore plain water as controls.
The study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to measure changes in gray matter volume. The results showed that the rose scent participants had increased gray matter in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), which is linked to memory and association. This region of the brain was found to be more active in people with problems with their sense of smell, suggesting that the rose scent may have triggered a compensatory response.
The researchers believe that the boost in gray matter may be due to the constant stimulation of the posterior cingulate cortex by the rose scent. Alternatively, it’s possible that the brain labeled the scent as unpleasant, leading to increased emotional regulation and subsequent increase in PCC size.
While more research is needed to confirm these findings, the study suggests that aromatherapy could be a potential tool for boosting mental health and preventing dementia. The researchers hope to develop aromatherapies that can stimulate the PCC and prevent brain atrophy associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/smelling-this-one-specific-scent-can-boost-the-brains-gray-matter