Rose Scent May Boost Brain Gray Matter Volume
A Japanese study suggests that consistently inhaling a rose scent for a month may increase brain gray matter volume. Researchers had 28 women wear clothing infused with rose essential oil for a month, comparing them to a control group of 22 women. Results showed increased gray matter volume in the rose scent group, particularly in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) linked to memory and association. While not necessarily translating to increased cognitive power, the findings could have significant implications for preventing neurodegenerative conditions like dementia. The researchers hypothesize this is due to the brain continually processing the rose scent and storing related memories. The study offers a promising avenue for exploring aromatherapy's potential to improve brain health.