Menthol may help preserve memory, immunity
Proceeding from an article published on its website, Health Digest features that researchers continue exploring the fascinating connection between sense of smell and brain health, especially in relation to Alzheimer's disease.
As the most prevalent form of dementia, it is estimated that over 6 million people are living with Alzheimer's, according to the National Institute on Aging. The disease is characterized by the development of plaques and tangles in the brain, leading to a loss of neural connections. While memory issues are a common symptom of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, researchers are now exploring the potential link between the olfactory system (sense of smell) and brain health.
A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Immunology revealed that regular inhalation of menthol enhanced the immune system and improved memory in healthy mice. Furthermore, menthol was found to prevent further cognitive decline in mice that were modeled to have Alzheimer's. The researchers suggest that menthol stimulates the immune system while inhibiting an inflammatory molecule called interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), which is linked to cognitive deterioration. This research implies that the sense of smell may play a role in regulating both immune function and brain health.
Before you reach for an Altoid in hopes of preventing Alzheimer's, it's important to note that the situation is more complex. The study highlighted the crucial role the olfactory system plays in brain health. When the researchers blocked the mice's sense of smell, both their immune system weakened and their memory deteriorated. The study also emphasized the significant connection between the immune system and brain function. By removing specific cells that regulate the immune response, the researchers reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β, resulting in improvements in memory.
Not all scents, however, have the same impact on memory and the immune system. A 2018 article in Frontiers in Immunology found that carvone, a compound with a scent resembling caraway or spearmint, improved the memory and immune function in one type of mouse, while impairing these functions in others. It's important to remember that both of these studies were conducted on mice, so further research is needed to understand their effects on humans.
When you detect a particular scent, receptors in your nose transmit signals to your brain, which is closely linked to the areas responsible for memory. A 2021 study in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology found that certain scents could help people recall more detailed memories than photos or sounds, even in individuals with Alzheimer's.
By Naila Huseynova