Become Smarter by Smelling Essential Oils
Science says sniffing essential oils could do more than just relax you—it might sharpen your memory, especially as we age
This week, we’re diving into the power of smelling—starting with how it sharpens your mind. Let’s go…
I’m always on the hunt for simple, science-backed ways to keep my memory sharp. Both my parents have dementia, so it’s personal. When I came across research showing that something as simple as essential oils could give your brain a boost, I was intrigued.
Plus, I’m a big fan of diffusing essential oils around the house. Lemongrass used to be my go-to—until thousands of bees moved into our wall. Turns out, they loved the scent as much as I did. Expensive lesson learned.
Why it matters: Cognitive decline is skyrocketing in older adults, and we’re desperate for easy, affordable at-home fixes. Enter aromatherapy: a small study shows just two hours a night can supercharge memory and brain health.
Go deeper: In the study, older adults had an essential oil diffuser by their bed and were exposed to a different scent each night for 2 hours: rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, and lavender. After six months, the group using aromatherapy outperformed the control group in memory tests.
A staggering 226% jump in memory (think word recall).
Why? Our brain thrives on stimulation, and when it comes to memory, smell reigns supreme. While other senses take brain side streets to reach memory centers, smell has a direct superhighway. The olfactory nerve connects straight to the brain’s memory hubs.
This makes aromatherapy a powerful tool—it may activate these areas, boost neuroplasticity, and help fend off cognitive decline.
The bottom line: Running a diffuser at night isn’t just soothing—it could be an easy, low-cost way to keep your brain sharp. The study was small, so more research is needed. But it’s an interesting start.
Ready to try it out? Here’s my go-to diffuser and the essential oils I use daily (Amazon). Just not the lemongrass ;).
In good health, driven by science - Heather
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As an award-winning researcher, my goal at Wellness Discovery is to bring you the most responsibly researched health information so you can make informed wellness decisions. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
It is remarkable how something like essential oils, something that seems so small and insignificant, can have such amazing impacts on our cognitive health. I am fascinated at the results of this study, a 226% increase in memory by the trial group is so powerful! Like you mentioned, this is especially important for aging populations and those facing cognitive decline. I wonder how essential oils can be used in the healthcare setting in the future? I had previously thought of essential oils as something that just made a room smell good when used in a diffuser, but now that I know it's cognitive effects, I am even more inclined to try them out.
This blew my mind! I never would have thought that just smelling essential oils would make your memory as sharp as ever! At home, my mom also uses a diffuser but I think we all have no clue that it can improve your memory. That's probably why she can remember where I put everything and I can't remember what I did with something right when I sit it down somewhere. This article was very interesting and maybe I need to start using essential oils in the future. This is such a good home remedy to use and we should know it works because even the bees loves it as well!