<p>In the realm of human senses, scent is often pushed to the peripheries, receiving far less attention than sight and sound.</p>

<p>However, research from the University of California, Irvine suggests that harnessing the power of fragrances could be a simple yet stellar strategy to maintain cognitive function in old age.</p>

<p>By enhancing the air with various scents, a direct connection between memory and decision-making regions of the brain can be fortified, potentially offering a defence against cognitive decline and disorders like dementia, according to Science Alert.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Recent experiments conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have unveiled compelling evidence pointing to the role of fragrances in boosting cognitive performance.</p>

<p>This approach stems from the understanding that nurturing the ageing brain's activity is crucial for sustaining cognitive well-being.</p>

<p>This involves more than just engaging in routine mental exercises; it entails immersing our surroundings with a plethora of sensory experiences that the brain can engage with.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ocean-waves-are-getting-bigger-as-earth-gets-warm-study-says-622044">Ocean waves are getting bigger as Earth gets warm, study says</a></p>

<h2><strong>The olfactory-brain nexus</strong></h2>

<p>Aromas possess the remarkable ability to evoke potent memories, even from distant pasts. While visual and auditory impairments are addressed through interventions like glasses and hearing aids, there has been a notable absence of interventions for olfactory loss.</p>

<p>To explore the potential of sensory stimulation in preserving cognitive function, Yassa and his team conducted a study involving 20 participants.</p>

<p>These volunteers were exposed to natural oils infused with fragrances such as rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender.</p>

<p>Another group received a 'sham' odorant with minimal scent traces.</p>

<p>Over six months, participants used a diffuser to disperse these scents in their homes for two hours every night. Neuropsychological assessments were employed to evaluate memory, verbal learning, planning, and attention-switching abilities before and after the trial period.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Study links inadequate sleep to chronic diseases</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Exploring neuroplasticity through scents</strong></h2>

<p>The concept of enriching environments to stimulate cognitive plasticity isn't new, especially in the animal kingdom.</p>

<p>Various studies have demonstrated that introducing odours into an animal's environment can enhance neuroplasticity, particularly in creatures exhibiting symptoms akin to human neurological disorders.</p>

<p>This observation opens the door to the idea that humans, too, could benefit from a complex "scent-scape."</p>

<p>Interestingly, there's a close correlation between the deterioration of olfactory ability and cognitive decline, hinting at a profound interconnection between the sense of smell and neurological functioning.</p>

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In the realm of human senses, scent is often pushed to the peripheries, receiving far less attention than sight and sound. However, research from the University of California, Irvine suggests that harnessing the power of fragrances could be a simple yet stellar strategy to maintain cognitive function in old age.

In the realm of human senses, scent is often pushed to the peripheries, receiving far less attention than sight and sound. However, research from the University of California, Irvine suggests that harnessing the power of fragrances could be a simple yet stellar strategy to maintain cognitive function in old age. By enhancing the air with various scents, a direct connection between memory and decision-making regions of the brain can be fortified, potentially offering a defence against cognitive decline and disorders like dementia, according to Science Alert. Recent experiments conducted by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have unveiled compelling evidence pointing to the role of fragrances in boosting cognitive performance. This approach stems from the understanding that nurturing the ageing brain's activity is crucial for sustaining cognitive well-being. This involves more than just engaging in routine mental exercises; it entails immersing our surroundings with a plethora of sensory experiences that the brain can engage with. Also read | Ocean waves are getting bigger as Earth gets warm, study says The olfactory-brain nexus Aromas possess the remarkable ability to evoke potent memories, even from distant pasts. While visual and auditory impairments are addressed through interventions like glasses and hearing aids, there has been a notable absence of interventions for olfactory loss. To explore the potential of sensory stimulation in preserving cognitive function, Yassa and his team conducted a study involving 20 participants. These volunteers were exposed to natural oils infused with fragrances such as rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender. Another group received a 'sham' odorant with minimal scent traces. Over six months, participants used a diffuser to disperse these scents in their homes for two hours every night. Neuropsychological assessments were employed to evaluate memory, verbal learning, planning, and attention-switching abilities before and after the trial period. Also watch | Gravitas: Study links inadequate sleep to chronic diseases Exploring neuroplasticity through scents The concept of enriching environments to stimulate cognitive plasticity isn't new, especially in the animal kingdom. Various studies have demonstrated that introducing odours into an animal's environment can enhance neuroplasticity, particularly in creatures exhibiting symptoms akin to human neurological disorders. This observation opens the door to the idea that humans, too, could benefit from a complex "scent-scape." Interestingly, there's a close correlation between the deterioration of olfactory ability and cognitive decline, hinting at a profound interconnection between the sense of smell and neurological functioning. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

The nose knows: Exposure to certain fragrances during sleep can help your brain work better, says study

<p>A new study published in the journal Science Advances has found that people with similar body odours are more likely to hit it off as friends.</p>

<p>During the research, scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel hypothesized that humans may smell themselves and others to subconsciously estimate body odour similarity and judge their compatibility.</p>

<p>According to the study's lead author Inbal Ravreby, "Nonhuman terrestrial mammals constantly sniff themselves and each other and, based on this, decide who is friend or foe."</p>

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<p>Researchers collected samples from 20 pairs of non-romantic and same-sex friends, aged between 22 and 39 years old, who described themselves as having clicked at first sight.</p>

<p>All participants had to follow a strict protocol in order to prevent contamination or outside factors influencing their samples.</p>

<p>They had to wear a clean cotton T-shirt that was provided to them and avoid pungent foods and sleeping away from their partner.</p>

<p>The odour signatures of "click friends" were statistically more closely matched than odors between non-friends when scientists tested them with an electronic nose.</p>

<p>The team recruited human smellers and devised a set of tests to check the validity of their result to assess whether the eNose results accurately mirrored human perception.</p>

<p>They were successful in delineating between a pair of click friends from the outlier from their odours.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A new study published in the journal Science Advances has found that people with similar body odours are more likely to hit it off as friends. During the research, scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel hypothesized that humans may smell themselves and others to subconsciously estimate body odour similarity and judge their compatibility.

A new study published in the journal Science Advances has found that people with similar body odours are more likely to hit it off as friends. During the research, scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel hypothesized that humans may smell themselves and others to subconsciously estimate body odour similarity and judge their compatibility. According to the study's lead author Inbal Ravreby, "Nonhuman terrestrial mammals constantly sniff themselves and each other and, based on this, decide who is friend or foe." × Researchers collected samples from 20 pairs of non-romantic and same-sex friends, aged between 22 and 39 years old, who described themselves as having clicked at first sight. All participants had to follow a strict protocol in order to prevent contamination or outside factors influencing their samples. They had to wear a clean cotton T-shirt that was provided to them and avoid pungent foods and sleeping away from their partner. The odour signatures of "click friends" were statistically more closely matched than odors between non-friends when scientists tested them with an electronic nose. The team recruited human smellers and devised a set of tests to check the validity of their result to assess whether the eNose results accurately mirrored human perception. They were successful in delineating between a pair of click friends from the outlier from their odours. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

Study shows people with similar body odours are more likely to hit it off as friends

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The nose knows: Exposure to certain fragrances during sleep can help your brain work better, says study

Study shows people with similar body odours are more likely to hit it off as friends