Brain and the Body Image

Enhancing Memory: An Easy Solution!

February 14, 2025•3 min read


I did a full-day seminar back in April 2024, all on brain health. One of the most standout things from that day was a study—originally from UC Irvine—that found exposing older adults to essential oils during sleep improved their memory by 226%. Seriously, can it get any easier than just sleeping and breathing in oil?

I understand concerns about animals; I have a lab, and I would never want to expose him to anything harmful. Here’s the information I pulled from Dr. Laura Pawlak, PhD, who is one of my favorite lecturers.

Essential Oils Used in the Study:

  • Rose

  • Orange

  • Eucalyptus

  • Lemon

  • Peppermint

  • Rosemary

  • Lavender

✅ The key takeaway: Just two hours of exposure was enough to make a difference—no longer was needed.

If you’re considering trying this, look for a diffuser. They’re not expensive, but I recommend one with a timer. I found an essential oil set that was affordable and included all the necessary scents, plus a small diffuser with timer settings for 2 hours, 4 hours, or constant. Two hours is all you need.

Quick Tips:

  • Set up the diffuser in your bedroom before sleep.

  • Use distilled water (or boil water and let it cool) to avoid mineral buildup.

  • Add 1–3 drops of essential oil, depending on your room size.

  • Avoid overwhelming yourself with scent—less is more.

Safety Note:

I looked up which essential oils are safe for dogs.
✅ Safe for dogs: Lavender, ginger, rosemary, frankincense.
🚫 Avoid for dogs: Peppermint (so check that one off the list!).

Now, let’s talk brain health beyond essential oils.

The Big Takeaway from the Seminar:

We need to start earlier.

Your brain health isn’t just about aging—it’s about what you do now:

  1. Eliminate sugar as much as possible. Sugar fuels yeast overgrowth, inflammation, and crosses the blood-brain barrier, affecting cognitive function.

  2. Move daily. Exercise is essential.

  3. Be in awe of something every day. Whether it’s nature, art, or the Northern Lights, experiencing wonder stimulates the brain.

Smell & Memory:

Loss of smell is one of the earliest indicators of cognitive decline. Many people who lost their sense of smell during COVID needed to retrain their brain with essential oils to rebuild those neural connections.

Women & Alzheimer’s Risk:

Uncontrolled menopause doubles the risk of Alzheimer’s in women. This is huge because it involves your entire endocrine system—thyroid, blood sugar, insulin, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone. If you're experiencing menopause symptoms like hot flashes, get it under control with your practitioner. There is so much new research available, and we have access to better solutions than ever before.

Here's My Pick for Diffuser and Oils https://a.co/d/dWTT6q4 https://a.co/d/216WOnd

I gave them as Christmas gifts this past year!

I could talk about brain health all day! I love sharing the science, but the real magic happens when we make it personal.

If you are curious about what supports your brain, hormones, stress response, or overall wellbeing right now, let us explore it together.

✨ Spirit Speaks intuitive sessions available
✨ Humans, animals, and those beautiful in between
✨ Clear, compassionate guidance

Reach out anytime. I am always happy to connect.

Let’s protect our brains! 🧠💡


Here is the YouTube video I did for a group of facebook friends!

Marie Matteson, SpiritSpeaks

Marie Matteson, SpiritSpeaks

Marie Matteson, a seasoned medical intuitive healer and expert, brings over 30 years of experience in helping people navigate life's challenges.

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