The scent of mint enhances cognitive functions, a recent study shows. You don’t need to consume this plant to benefit from its neuro-stimulating effects.
You just need to smell it!
Scientists have discovered that when Alzheimer’s mice inhale menthol, their cognitive abilities improve.
It seems that this compound in mint has the capacity to halt some of the damage caused by Alzheimer’s in the brain.
Specifically, menthol reduces the level of IL-1 (interleukin-1-beta), a protein that regulates the body’s inflammatory responses.
Moreover, IL-1 is considered the most important regulator of the immune and inflammatory response in the body.
Certain scents could be useful in therapies used against Alzheimer’s disease. Aromatic plants contain compounds with beneficial effects in this regard. Rosemary and mint are just two examples.
The authors investigated the role of the olfactory system in the immune system and the central nervous system in animal studies. The results showed that menthol is a scent with immunomodulatory properties.
Researchers discovered something even more interesting: short-term exposure to this scent for 6 months helped prevent cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s mice.
Moreover, menthol improved cognitive abilities in young healthy mice. Specifically, inhaling this substance prevented memory deterioration and other cognitive functions. Menthol brings IL-1 back to safe levels in the brain.
This protein, which plays a regulatory role in inflammation, may be behind the cognitive decline observed in those animal models.
The relationship between scents, immune function, and the nervous system is not yet fully understood. What is certain is that the olfactory system has a strong influence on the brain.
This is because certain scents or fragrances can trigger responses in the brain, thus causing chemical reactions that affect memory and emotions.
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Schizophrenia are diseases of the central nervous system that share a common symptom: loss of smell.
