An Aromatic Life Dementia and Our Sense of Smell with Alex Bahar-Fuchs, PhD
#159: Could your nose be an early alarm bell for dementia?
In honor of World Alzheimer's Month, in this episode Frauke sits down with neuropsychologist Alex Bahar-Fuchs, PhD to explore the fascinating connection between smell and dementia. While we usually think of memory loss or confusion as the first warning signs, research shows that changes in our sense of smell often appear years earlier. That makes smell not just a powerful scientific marker, but also a deeply personal one - something families and caregivers can notice in everyday life. Alex explains why smell is so closely tied to memory and cognition, what it reveals about the brain’s health, and how simple smell training might one day help protect against decline. It’s a conversation that blends science with hope, showing how something as ordinary as noticing the scents around us can hold potential for our future well-being.
Learn more about Alex and his work here.
Read The Mind Your Nose Study.
Watch “Smell Training': How It's Helping Fight Dementia”
Watch “Does training people's memory through the sense of smell, help their memory overall?”
Connect with Alex via LinkedIn.
Follow Frauke on Instagram: @an_aromatic_life
Visit Frauke's website www.anaromaticlife.com
Get No Place for Plants children's book on Amazon
Learn about Frauke's Scent*Tattoo Project