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Wearing too much perfume: A
sign of depression?
 If
you can't smell the roses, you may be depressed according to a recent article
(January 3, 2008) at Science Daily. Also, the article stated that if you smell
too much like a rose yourself it may also indicate depression. The article
stated that scientists from Tel Aviv University have recently found a link
between depression and a biological mechanism that may affect the olfactory
glands. This may explain why some women wear too much perfume without realizing
it.
This research reported in
the Journal of Arthritis and Rheumatism has reported that "Our scientific
findings suggest that women who are depressed are also losing their sense of
smell, and may overcompensate by using more perfume," explained Professor Yehuda
Shoenfeld, a researcher and member of the Sackler faculty of Medicine at Tel
Aviv University. He also stated that "We also believe that depression has
biological roots and may be an immune system response to certain physiological
cues." He stated that women who are depressed may be more susceptible to losing
weight because of their reduced sense of smell ultimately reducing their
appetite.
Dr. Schoenfeld has drawn
these conclusions from a lifetime of research on such autoimmune diseases as
lupus, rheumatism and arthritis. Dr. Schoenfeld has found that depression is
much more than an emotional reaction and appears to have a biological cause when
accompanying lupus.
Among lupus patients and
individuals with autoimmune diseases, a particle known as an “autoantibody” is
believed to attack the person's own immune system and may appear in the human
body as an aberrant reaction to autoimmune diseases. Dr. Schoenfeld stated, "We
have found that, when generated, it weakens a person’s sense of smell and can
induce the feeling of depression."
It is a widely accepted fact among Alzheimer’s researchers
that individuals with Alzheimer's disease lose their sense of smell. However,
Professor Schoenfeld’s research is the first to link depression to the sense of
smell among patients with lupus. The implications of this research are large
however, in that they may also be applied to the general
population according to Dr. Schoenfeld. "People who are depressed seem to
respond well to aromatherapy. Certain smells seem to help them overcome the
effects of the biological factors, suggesting that depression may have a
biological cause." Professor Schoenfeld also has suggested that a standardized
"smell test" could be used by doctors to help diagnose depression as well as
autoimmune diseases. Also, this research may raise a question as to current
therapies which are used for other mental disorders such as schizophrenia.
The use of the sense of
smell may also have some implications for "smell marketing," which has been used
by retailers to encourage shoppers to purchase, especially around the holidays.
"These tactics are already being used by retailers and banks all over the
world," says Professor Schoenfeld. "The retail industry has learned that if it
splashes good smells around, it can convince clients to buy more and invest more
money. It certainly has an effect on one's mood."
Professor Schoenfeld is a
medical doctor and an internationally recognized expert on autoimmune diseases.
He is also the head of the Department of Medicine "B" at the Sheba Medical
Center in Israel, and edits such medical journals as Harefua (in Hebrew), the
Journal of Autoimmunity, Autoimmunity Reviews and Israel Medical Association
Journal. This study was done in collaboration with Professor Joab Chapman, the
head of Neurology Department at Sheba Medical Center, and a professor at Tel
Aviv University.
Article adapted from Science Daily (January 5, 2008)
Wearing Too Much Perfume May Indicate Depression. From
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103124645.htm
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA Licensed Psychologist Ph.D.
Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist
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