A familiar scent can help people with depression recall moments from the past more easily than verbal cues. This is the conclusion of a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.
For people with major depressive disorder (MDD), a familiar smell can help them recall autobiographical moments and potentially help with mental health treatment, according to a group of researchers from the Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
"The main point of this study is that depressed individuals have specific memories and positive memories, but they just have trouble accessing them," says Kymberly Young, a professor of psychiatry.
"Using scents, we can help them access these memories," the researchers add.
Being able to access specific memories is important for solving problems and regulating emotions. If we can help depressed individuals access specific memories, they should be able to use them when needed and improve their quality of life.
In the study, the research team observed 32 individuals between the ages of 18 and 55 who had a diagnosis of depression. Participants were given 12 odor samples in glass jars. They were then asked to recall something specific about each describing them in 12 different words. Memories triggered by smells were more specific than those from verbal cues, the researchers found.
Participants were more likely to recall positive memories and less negative ones, and this gave them stronger emotions, despite depression problems.
It seems that certain types of memories are likely to be more helpful in alleviating depression than any therapy session, cure, or improvement approach to this illness.
Suggested Articles:
Source: New York Post
