The Power of Smell: Supporting Cognitive Wellbeing Through Olfactory Training

The sense of smell is one of the most powerful and often overlooked tools for supporting cognitive wellbeing. Unlike our other senses, smell has a direct connection to the brain areas responsible for memory and emotion. This is why a familiar fragrance can instantly bring back vivid memories of people, places, and experiences from long ago.

Research has shown that engaging the sense of smell regularly can support brain health through a process known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to adapt, reorganise, and form new neural connections throughout life. Even in older adulthood, the brain remains capable of change when it is stimulated in meaningful ways.

One way to support this process is through olfactory training. Olfactory training involves repeatedly smelling and identifying different scents over time. Studies suggest that this type of sensory practice can improve aspects of cognition such as memory, verbal fluency, and learning. It has also been associated with changes in the brain, including increased size and activity in smell-related regions such as the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus, which plays a key role in memory.

In residential care settings, olfactory activities can be simple, enjoyable, and highly engaging. Introducing familiar scents such as perfumes, soaps, herbs, or flowers can encourage residents to describe what they smell, share memories, and even give each scent a name. Returning to the same scents on another day can help reinforce recognition and stimulate conversation.

These small sensory experiences can create powerful moments of connection. Smell-based activities not only stimulate the brain but also encourage storytelling, social interaction, and reminiscence. By intentionally engaging the sense of smell, activity coordinators can support cognitive wellbeing in a gentle, meaningful way. Sometimes the smallest sensory cues can open the door to memory, identity, and lifelong learning.


All the best

Liz