Fact Check: Can smelling rosemary increase memory by 75%?

A Pinterest post claims that rosemary can increase memory by 75%. It is a Misleading claim.

Claim

A Pinterest post claims that rosemary can increase memory by 75%. The post by Melissa Kunaschk states, "Scientists found sniffing rosemary can increase memory by 75%. Rosemary breaks down a chemical in the brain known as acetylcholine." This allows nerve cells to communicate with one another more effectively." The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The post by a Pinterest user is Misleading. There is scientific evidence that supports that Rosemary can help with cognitive function, but smelling it cannot increase memory by 75% as claimed by the use 

What is Memory?

Memory can be defined as the faculty through which organisms encode, store, and retrieve information, allowing them to utilize past experiences and knowledge to inform present and future actions. It is a dynamic, multi-faceted process involving biochemical, neural, and systemic levels. Memory can manifest in different forms, including sensory, short-term, and long-term storage, each with unique attributes and functions.

Can memory be increased?

The Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr. Sohet Gogia, Consultant, Neurosurgery, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram and he explained, "Memory can be improved through targeted lifestyle modifications. Regular physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain, promoting cognitive health. A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins supports brain function. Prioritizing adequate sleep helps consolidate memories and reduce cognitive decline. Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness and meditation, contribute to mental clarity. Additionally, mental exercises like puzzles, learning new skills, and using mnemonic devices enhance memory retention and recall. While genetics set a baseline for memory capacity, these proactive steps can significantly improve cognitive function and memory over time."

Health Benefits Of Rosemary

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), widely used in various cuisines and spice blends, offers notable health benefits due to its unique composition. It exhibits antimicrobial properties effective against bacteria, fungi (including yeast), and viruses. Rosemary also supports carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, enhances nervous system function, and has hepatoprotective effects. The plant, along with its extracts and essential oils, is utilized in cooking, cosmetics, and the food industry.

Can smelling rosemary increase memory by 75%?

Rosemary has shown notable cognitive benefits, such as improved memory quality, secondary memory, numerical recall, and enhanced brain neurotransmitter activity. However, it is important to note that there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that smelling rosemary can increase memory by 75%.

An article published in the Egyptian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences found that participants exposed to rosemary essential oil showed a notable improvement in both image and numeric memory.

There is indeed evidence that inhalation of rosemary can be helpful in improving cognitive functions. A study published in the Alexandria Journal of Medicine found that inhaling rosemary essential oil significantly enhanced participants' ability to memorize numbers. This suggests that rosemary aromatherapy may positively influence numerical memory retention.

Mahboobeh Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar et. al. reported in a study that rosemary essential oil modulates brain neurotransmitter activity and exhibits neurophysiological effects by promoting the synthesis and release of acetylcholine, as well as inducing neuronal differentiation in mice.

A randomized controlled trial conducted by Andrew Pengelly et. al. indicates that low doses of rosemary may aid cognitive function in older adults, highlighting the need for further investigation into the long-term benefits of such doses. The authors also noted on the contrary that higher doses were linked to reduced cognitive performance.

A research article published in the International Journal of Neuroscience revealed that rosemary significantly enhanced overall memory quality and secondary memory factors but impaired memory speed compared to the comparison group.

Rosemary has exhibited cognitive benefits, such as improved memory and enhanced brain activity, though higher doses could negatively impact performance. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim made by the Pinterest user that smelling rosemary can increase memory by 75%.

Responding to the claim Dr. Rahul Chawla, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Neurology), Consultant, Neurologist at IBS Hospital, New Delhi said "Claims that smelling rosemary can enhance memory by as much as 75% are overstated and there are no scientific studies to support such claims. While the scent of rosemary has been linked to slight improvements in memory and cognitive function, the effects are modest at best. Such figures often stem from misinterpretations of research data. People need to be aware that while natural remedies like rosemary may have potential cognitive benefits, they are not substitutes for established practices like mental exercises, proper nutrition, and sleep for memory enhancement." 

Dr. Sohet Gogia, Consultant, Neurosurgery, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram further added "While the idea that smelling rosemary can boost memory by 75% sounds impressive, it's actually misleading. Some studies do suggest that the scent of rosemary might offer a small boost to cognitive performance, but where this figure of 75% came from is a mystery—it doesn’t show up in any credible scientific research. The truth is, any benefits are usually much smaller and can differ from person to person. It’s important to take such claims with a grain of salt. Rosemary might help a bit, but it’s definitely not a magic fix for improving memory."

Medical Dialogues Final Take

Rosemary has shown potential cognitive benefits, such as improved memory, secondary memory, and numerical recall, while enhancing brain neurotransmitter activity, supporting acetylcholine synthesis and release, and promoting neuronal differentiation. Inhaltion of rosemary has indeed shown improvement in cognitive function. However, there is no conclusive scientific evidence or medical consensus to support the claim that smelling rosemary can increase memory by 75%.

Hence, the claim is Misleading.