PITTSBURGH: A new study has revealed that people suffering from depression can be treated with fragrances.
In a study, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh found that scents are more effective than words at activating positive memories, helping people with depression get rid of negative thoughts.
In the study, researchers exposed 32 people between the ages of 18 and 55 with severe depression to 12 scents. These included wax, coffee, coconut oil, cumin powder, vanilla extract, cloves, shoe polish, cano essential oil, and ketchup. Fragrances were included.
After inhaling a jar of scents, the neuroscientists asked participants to recall specific memories and asked whether those memories were good or bad.
Lead author Kimberley Young of the study, published in JAMA Network Open, said that people with depression who smelled a familiar scent were more likely to recall a specific memory or event (such as drinking coffee the week before). going to the store etc.).
When this method was compared to the use of words, it was found that the memories were activated more vividly and realistically by the use of scents.
Kimberley Young, associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh, said in a press release that she was surprised that no one had previously used scents to activate memories in people with depression.
