Written by: Fiona Sheahan
Edited by: Maggie Wang
Studies show that familiar scents are the key to opening doors of lost memories in people with depression. Most people with depression have difficulty recalling memories, which limits their relationship with quality of life. Aromatherapy may be a temporary cure for some individuals who hope to reduce symptoms of depression.
Depression is a mental disorder that negatively affects one’s mood and actions. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the symptoms of depression are described as somatic and non-somatic factors. When a person with depression may experience trouble sleeping, changes in weight or appetite, and fatigue, these are somatic factors. In contrast, a depressed mindset, feeling worthless, and thoughts of death are non-somatic factors. For an individual to be diagnosed with a major depression episode, the DSM-5 requires at least five symptoms to be present within two weeks (see here). These two sets of factors discriminate between moderate and severe depression. Somatic factors are related to moderate depression, while non-somatic factors are related to severe depression (see here).
A recent study from February 13th this year investigated the difference between odor and verbal cues among adults with depression. In this study of 32 individuals with major depressive disorder, researchers wondered if odor or verbal cues influence the promptness of memory recall. The team performed a cross-sectional study, in which these diverse individuals ranged from 18 to 55 years of age and varied in use of fluoxetine, an antidepressant medication. Each participant was presented with 12 aromas and 12 words. After each cue, participants were asked to recall a specific memory while the experimenter copied their exact words to analyze after. Researchers could compare both variables by recording the response time that a participant took to recall a specific memory. After a presented odor or verbal cue, participants were prompted to determine which factor was the most efficient influencer. The team inferred that adults with depression recalled more autobiographical memories in response to odor cues than verbal cues. This conclusion implies a possibly new method for increasing memory recall in patients with depression and reducing their symptoms of memory loss (see here).
Similarly, aromatherapy is suggested to help improve an individual’s anxiety, stress, lack of sleep, factors that people with depression also deal with. This practice uses essential oils, which have a history of supporting these benefits non-somatically. In 2017, an investigation was conducted to analyze the effects of aromatherapy on depressive symptoms in various people with different conditions. After numerous studies and trials, the research team concluded that aromatherapy inhalation reduced depressive symptoms in participants. Specifically, lavender, bergamot, and sandalwood scents influenced this alleviation. Moreover, aromatherapy massage (topical application) was concluded to be more effective than aromatherapy inhalation because its ability to dissolve in lipids allows easier flow in the bloodstream to all organs (see here).
From these studies, people with depression have hope of feeling better by a smell that prompts an uplifting memory. Nevertheless, the smells of familiar scents or essential oils are beneficial for anyone in need of lightening their mood.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.978089042559
Free Stock Photo. (n.d.). Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/
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K. D. (2024). Recall of Autobiographical Memories Following Odor vs Verbal Cues
Among Adults With Major Depressive Disorder. JAMA Network Open, 7(2), e2355958.
Sánchez-Vidaña, D. I., Ngai, S. P., He, W., Chow, J. K., Lau, B. W., & Tsang, H. W. (2017). The
Effectiveness of Aromatherapy for Depressive Symptoms: A Systematic Review.
Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM, 2017, 5869315.
Tolentino, J. C., & Schmidt, S. L. (2018). DSM-5 Criteria and Depression Severity: Implications
for Clinical Practice. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 450. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00450
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