Researchers from the Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences, in collaboration with the Oxford Humanities Research Centre, reveal a powerful link between olfactory loss and inflammation in a staggering 139 medical conditions. This research, led by Professor Emeritus Michael Leon and researchers Cynthia Woo and Emily Troscianko, emphasizes a little-known but potentially life-altering connection: the role our sense of smell plays in maintaining our physical and mental health.
The study appears in Frontiers of molecular neuroscience.
Olfactory dysfunction, often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, may actually be an early sign of various neurological and bodily diseases, as this research indicates. “The data is especially interesting because we had already discovered that olfactory enrichment can improve the memory of older adults by 226 percent,” says León. “We now know that pleasant aromas can decrease inflammation, potentially pointing to the mechanism by which such aromas can improve brain health.”
This finding, he added, could have key implications for mitigating symptoms and possibly even reducing the onset of certain diseases through therapeutic olfactory stimulation.
The study delves into the methodical monitoring of 139 medical conditions associated with both olfactory loss and increased inflammation, uncovering information about a shared pathway that links these factors. Olfactory loss, which often precedes diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, may serve as an early indicator of disease onset, allowing for more proactive therapeutic approaches.
“It was difficult to locate studies for so many medical conditions,” León said, reflecting on the complexity of linking olfactory loss to such a wide range of disorders. The challenge, he added, underscores the importance of these findings in framing olfactory health as an integral part of overall well-being.
By showing how olfactory enrichment can mitigate inflammation, this research has laid the foundation for future studies aimed at exploring the therapeutic use of aroma to address a broader range of medical conditions. “It will be interesting to see if we can improve symptoms of other medical conditions with olfactory enrichment,” León said.
Together with Woo, Leon is now working on a device to deliver olfactory therapy, which could show promise as a novel, non-invasive way to improve health outcomes.
As science continues to uncover the profound impacts of our senses on health, this research underscores the critical need for more studies on olfactory therapies.