Many people in the CKOS community use smell training to help their sense of smell recover after illness or injury. But this simple daily habit might benefit more than your nose. A new study suggests that smell training could also support your brain health.
How the study worked
Researchers from Japan wanted to see how learning and curiosity affect changes in the brain. They recruited 90 people and split them into three groups:
- One group completed 40 smell training sessions using scent classification tasks.
- A second group learned about how the brain can adapt and grow, known as neuroplasticity, through videos and daily messages.
- The third group did not take part in any training.
The researchers also measured participants’ sense of curiosity and interest in learning to see how this might influence results.
Training linked to positive brain changes
The group doing smell training reported feeling more interested and accomplished during their sessions. Their brain scans showed that these feelings were linked to positive changes in grey matter, the part of the brain responsible for memory, movement, and decision-making.
The group that learned about brain health also showed a smaller decline in grey matter compared to the control group, suggesting that active learning of any kind could help keep the brain engaged.
Curiosity plays a part
Interestingly, those who scored higher for curiosity and exploration showed greater brain changes, whether they were smell training or learning about the brain. This suggests that a curious, open mindset can play a role in maintaining and improving brain health.
What this means for smell training
The study adds to growing evidence that smell training does more than support recovery from smell loss. It may also help to stimulate parts of the brain linked to learning and memory. That means smell training could be a simple way to give both your nose and your mind a gentle workout.
If you’d like to begin or return to smell training, you can find practical guidance and resources in the CKOS community. For ready-made kits, Scent Recover offers carefully designed sets to support your routine.
Key takeaway
Smell training doesn’t just help your sense of smell recover. It can also keep your brain active and engaged, especially when done with curiosity and a sense of purpose.
