So, does that mean training the nose can help the mind? Some research suggests that it actually might. In one 2022 study, seniors with depression trained their noses for several months and saw their symptoms diminish, especially those who had previous smelling problems.

A smaller 2021 study of dementia patients found that smell training not only improved depression but also helped them remember words faster.

— Read more in Can You Pass the Spice-Drawer Smell Test? at The New York Times.