Scent remedy vs. “aromatherapy” for dementia: Smells can evoke highly effective recollections. However not all approaches are backed by science.
Acquainted scents and odors spark highly effective recollections for nearly anybody. Getting a whiff of freshly baked items could convey somebody again to their childhood, reminders of the chocolate chip cookies their grandmother could have made for them.
For many years, researchers have studied the hyperlink between acquainted sensations, like scents, and the mind, together with the hyperlink between scent and reminiscence, and so they’ve discovered that, certainly, remedy that depends on acquainted smells could assist some folks relive good recollections and increase their temper.
So, if a sure aroma can set off previous recollections in cognitively wholesome folks, can it do the identical for somebody who has in any other case misplaced entry to a lot of their recollections — like an individual residing with Alzheimer’s or one other type of dementia? Scientists say that in sure circumstances, sure: Scent remedy could be a useful therapeutic device.
However although these phrases are typically wrongly used interchangeably, don’t get scent remedy confused with aromatherapy. Aromatherapy entails diffusing important oils like lavender or peppermint into the home. Whereas some firms and practitioners make claims that being round these good smells additionally increase reminiscence, consultants say there isn’t a proof that aromatherapy works.
What’s scent remedy?
Scent-based remedy is a type of memory remedy that makes use of acquainted scents and odors to assist folks with dementia bear in mind necessary recollections from the previous. This type of remedy is related to a small however tangible discount in anxiousness and agitation and enchancment in cognition and communication.
“I imagine in our on a regular basis life as now we have conversations with older individuals, together with individuals with delicate to reasonable dementia, partaking in reminiscing is pleasurable and worthwhile,” Dr. Erik B. Larson, a former investigator at Kaiser Permanente Washington Well being Analysis Institute, wrote in an op-ed for Being Affected person.
Working towards scent-based remedy doesn’t require shopping for costly important oils or diffusers. As an alternative, it may be so simple as taking family members with dementia to locations they preferred to go after they had been younger or serving to them put together or cook dinner their favourite meals.
Spend sufficient time on Instagram or YouTube, you would possibly get advertisements that ship an entire totally different message: Purchase some aromatic oils, diffuse them within the bed room and lounge, and bam, your reminiscence will enhance. That’s referred to as aromatherapy… however beware, scientists say it doesn’t essentially pack the identical punch. And, there may even be some well being dangers connected.
What’s aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a type of different drugs invented in 1937 by a French chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, who supposedly cured burns on his arm by utilizing lavender oil, later learning the usage of different concentrated plant oils — generally referred to as important oils — for his or her wound therapeutic properties. There was a lull within the recognition of aromatherapy till the 2000s.
Then, two firms, Younger Residing and DoTERRA, gained recognition whereas making unfounded medical claims and promoting merchandise via the multi-level advertising mode. On social media, they’re promoted for every little thing from autism to dementia as a cure-all, bolstering the multi-billion greenback enterprise of promoting these plant extracts.
“The printed proof is sparse to nonexistent,” Dr. Harriet Corridor wrote in Science Primarily based Drugs. “There are medical research to help just a few really useful makes use of, however they’re typically poorly designed, uncontrolled, and unconvincing.”
Can aromatherapy increase reminiscence and cognition?
Proponents of important oils declare that diffusing sure scents into the air boosts reminiscence and will doubtlessly stave off dementia.
A latest, highly-publicized examine discovered that diffusing these oils for 2 hours each evening for six months boosted cognitive capability by 226 % in 43 cognitively wholesome older people. Roughly half of the folks within the examine acquired an important oil diffuser; the opposite half didn’t.
On the finish of the trial, the researchers used a psychological take a look at for reminiscence the place they learn out 15 phrases, and members had been requested to repeat them again in any order. The researchers learn out the identical checklist to the members 5 instances, and solely after the fifth trial did the folks with the important oil diffuser carry out higher than the management group.
This equated to a meager one-point distinction on a psychological take a look at, which might not translate to a noticeable distinction in reminiscence.
The examine was funded by Procter and Gamble, which owns manufacturers like Febreze, Olay, Ivory, Outdated Spice, and Natural Essences. In line with the press launch that overrated the examine, they intend to launch an important oil product onto the market — utilizing this examine as “scientific proof” that it really works.
General, scientists trying on the totality of the proof throughout many of those trials don’t assume there’s a lot of a case for important oils.
Potential harms of aromatherapy
There’s nothing mistaken with diffusing fancy oils for his or her scent. Nonetheless, within the context of dementia, there’s some potential for hurt. Important oils are extremely flammable, set off allergic reactions, and disrupt the physique’s hormone-signaling system. As well as, diffusing important oils can hurt cats, canines, and different furry relations.
Since they aren’t regulated like medicine both, there isn’t a assure that the elements within the important oil that somebody is buying are correct, and many merchandise additionally overstate their advantages whereas downplaying potential dangers.
As an alternative, it’s time to get scent-imental — discover some inspiration from the UK Alzheimer’s Society. Scent-based memory remedy is a secure and cheap solution to join along with your family members and assist them bear in mind constructive recollections from their previous.
