A psychiatry professor who specializes in autobiographical memory says that working directly with the sense of smell may help derail out-of-control negative thought patterns and reduce depressive moods.
Previous research has focused on the effects of targeted odors on memory recall. However, this new study is the first to identify a link between odors associated with positive autobiographical memories and reduced feelings of depression.
Exploring the link between smell, memory recall, and depression
In modern psychiatry, depression is often treated with prescription drugs. More holistic approaches often include exercise, meditation, and even customized nutritional plans, while more experimental approaches include using targeted electrical signals or ingesting magic mushrooms. It is included. Some studies even show that depression may be treatable with just a placebo. In any case, almost all approaches include some form of talk therapy.
In many common approaches, clinicians attempt to induce patients to recall more positive memories. Although this approach has been shown to work in some situations, the continued popularity of both medical and holistic options shows that this approach has limitations.
While studying autobiographical memory, Dr. Kimberly Young found that patients who suffer from depression often have a much harder time recalling positive memories than patients who don’t struggle with depression. I noticed something very interesting. Dr. Young also showed that activating an area of the brain known as the amygdala with strong smells can trigger memories that patients say feel more vivid and real than memories triggered by verbal cues. I was also aware of the research. Somewhat surprisingly, the University of Pittsburgh professor found little research combining these approaches to help recall positive memories in patients battling depression.
“I was surprised that no one had thought of using odor cues to observe memory retrieval in depressed patients until now.” Said young.
Clinical trials show promising results
To better understand the link between the sense of smell and memory recall as a treatment for depression, Young and his team asked study volunteers to smell the contents of an opaque glass bottle containing a strong but familiar scent. I asked him to smell it. This includes scents like orange, coffee, shoe polish, and Vick’s VapoRub.
After smelling each vial, the researchers asked study participants to describe the triggering memory. Importantly, volunteers were asked to include both positive and negative memories. As expected, this work yielded several important results.
First, memories triggered by smells were described as more powerful and vivid than those triggered by verbal cues. This finding was consistent with previous research on the professor’s own memory.
Second, the memories triggered by smells are often very specific. For example, the smell of an orange may evoke a recent memory of eating an orange with a friend, rather than a general memory of eating an orange before.
Third, the researchers noted that study participants were more likely to recall positive rather than negative memories, an important finding.
Finally, and perhaps just as importantly, this study found that volunteers who reported feelings of depression dramatically improved their memory by using odor cues rather than verbal cues. I did.
Taken together, the researchers conclude that “scents are more effective than words at evoking memories of specific events, and may help depressed people break out of negative thought cycles and rewire their thinking.” “It has the potential to be used in clinical settings to help people.” Creates a pattern and promotes faster and smoother healing. ”
Brain scans and depression treatment
Although it is a research, published The experiment, published in JAMA Network Open, was decidedly low-tech, Young said, and the results revealed a strong link between recalling vivid, positive memories and targeted smells. states that it is shown in Importantly, this study also reaffirms that strong smells are more effective at evoking positive memories than the verbal cues used in talk therapy.
Next, the researchers hope to use real-time brain scans to observe activity in the amygdala when volunteers smell powerful odors, particularly those that trigger positive memories.
There is still work to be done before clinicians can begin using powerful scents to trigger the recall of positive memories or even derail negative thoughts spiraling out of control in patients battling depression. says the research team. Still, they are already encouraged by the study’s initial results and believe that a deeper understanding of the issues faced by patients struggling with memory and depression will inevitably lead to improved treatment options.
“Improving memory can improve problem solving, emotional regulation, and other functional problems commonly experienced by people with depression,” Young says.
Christopher Plain is a science fiction and fantasy novelist and head science writer at The Debrief.Follow and connect with him X, To learn about his books, plainfiction.comor email me directly at [email protected].
