Episode Details

What if one of the most powerful tools for protecting your brain health has been right under your nose all along? In this fascinating episode, Jonathan Askholm explores the science of olfaction and its direct connection to memory, emotion, and cognitive function. Drawing on emerging research and personal experience, he explains how intentional smell training may improve memory, mood, and even support healthy aging. This conversation opens a new and highly accessible pathway to brain health, reinforcing that a simple daily practice can have profound effects on how we age. Jonathan Askholm is a brain health educator and co-founder of Memorease, a company focused on olfactory training for cognitive wellness. He has a background in psychology and a passion for teaching practical strategies that support mental and emotional well-being. His work is deeply influenced by his personal experience of losing his father to dementia, which inspired his mission to help others take proactive steps toward brain health. Jonathan collaborates with experts in scent creation to develop structured olfactory training tools grounded in scientific research. He regularly delivers workshops and presentations to older adults and community groups across Canada. His current focus is on making this brain health practice, simple, accessible, and empowering for everyday use.

Episode Timeline

00:00 – Welcome and introduction

02:30 – The surprising link between smell, memory, and brain health

04:00 – Jonathan's personal journey and his father's experience with dementia

07:00 – Why the sense of smell is often overlooked in modern health conversations

10:00 – The neuroscience of olfaction: direct pathways to memory and emotion

14:30 – Smell as a survival sense and its decline with age

18:00 – What is olfactory training and how it works

21:30 – The four scent categories used in research and training

24:00 – Evidence from studies: cognition, mood, and brain structure changes

27:00 – Practical applications and how to begin smell training at home

29:30 – The role of mindfulness and attention in olfactory training

32:00 – Olfactory training for anosmia and post-viral smell loss

34:00 – COVID-related smell loss and implications for brain health

36:00 – Who benefits most from olfactory training

37:00 – Wrap-up and key takeaway

Connect with Jonathan Askholm

Website: https://memorease.care Olfactory training kits and resources availabl