Scent as Therapy: Smell Loss Linked to 140 Conditions

Loss of smell is tied to inflammation in 140 conditions, signifying potential early indicators of neurological and body diseases. The study highlights smell's critical role in health and suggests that scent rehabilitation may help address inflammation, laying the groundwork for future research in treating disorders with scent therapy.

Loss of smell, once an indicator of COVID-19, is now associated with inflammation in almost 140 medical conditions, including ageing and menopause, suggesting potential early signs of neurological diseases. These findings emerge from a recent study, highlighting the importance of our sense of smell in overall health maintenance.

Michael Leon, a professor emeritus at the University of California-Irvine and lead author of the study in the journal Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, explains that pleasant scents can decrease inflammation, a discovery that underscores smell's impact on brain health. With implications for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, the researchers advocate for treatments targeting smell.

The study analyzed 139 conditions linked to loss of smell and inflammation, revealing the intricate relationship between the two. Despite the complexity of associating smell loss with various disorders, researchers cataloged extensive studies, including those related to long COVID-19, aging, menopause, and depression, establishing a foundation for scent-based therapeutic interventions.

(With inputs from agencies.)