Essential oils to stimulate the brain

2023-09-07 11:03:54

  • The diffusion of EO could be a means of preventing the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

Article published in the newspaper nº 115

Cognitive performance multiplied by two: this is the surprising result of an exploratory study which tested the impact of diffusing essential oils at bedtime on the brains of people over sixty years old.

A study conducted by neuroscientists at the University of California at Irvine, tested the effect of a nighttime diffusion of essential oils (rose, orange, eucalyptus, lemon, peppermint, rosemary and lavender in turn) on the brain and memory of elderly people (60 to 85 years old) without cognitive deficit. Participants were invited to diffuse essential oils (EO) in their room at bedtime and for two hours, every night for six months, using a diffuser and commercial EO. The researchers compared the cognitive performance and MRI brain images of people in the “diffusion” group and those in the control group – who breathed tiny, undetectable amounts of EO.


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The results showed that people in the “diffusion” group presented a spectacular increase of 226% in their cognitive performance compared to the control group – measured by several learning and memory tests commonly used in this field. The imaging, for its part, revealed a better integrity of the arcuate beam (or uncinate) left, a cerebral “path” that connects the prefrontal cortex (a powerful area of ​​the brain considered “multitasking”) to the medial temporal lobe (which plays an essential role in memory). This path is known to deteriorate with age and during the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer et Parkinson.


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Better brain performance and better sleep, at low cost

The researchers explained that their study was inspired by previous work on the link between olfaction and memory, and on the beneficial effects already observed from the diffusion of EO in animals, particularly in terms of calming. They emphasized that nighttime broadcasting, simple, inexpensive and non-invasive method was easy to implement to stimulate neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to remodel and adapt) and thus improve cognitive functions. They also noted that the diffusion of EO could be a means of preventing the development of neurodegenerative diseases or slow age-related cognitive decline.

Furthermore, participants reported sleep more soundly – another known benefit of the diffusion of EO (notably that of lavender, well documented ). Indeed, the diffusion of HE favors the phases of deep slow-wave sleepconsidered restorative sleep, with a degree of effectiveness sometimes comparable to sleeping pills.

Perhaps a natural therapeutic avenue with great potential

The authors admitted that their study had certain limitations, first and foremost the small number of participants (43). But several works suggesting that loss of smell can be considered a warning sign of the onset of some 70 neurological disorders different, the researchers called for continued investigations to better understand the therapeutic effectiveness of EO olfaction in the treatment of cognitive disordersas well as the mechanisms underlying the action of these effluvia on the brain.

Bibliographic references

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