Sniffing Out Mindfulness: Your Nose Knows by Maya Talisman Frost

Question: What are the most surprising, um, nuggets that you revealed about the nose?

"Probably the most striking things I learned involved the pseudoscience of the nose, and the terrible experiments that were carried out in the 1940s by Ivy League doctors--especially on immigrants and women.

I was also amused to learn how much the physical nose played a role in history. In the 18th century, nasal shape was used to determine psychological characteristics of people, and such "methodology" was even applied when picking national and military leaders."

If you're like most people, many of your most vivid memories are inextricably linked to a specific smell. Lilacs in bloom, freshly-cut grass, burning leaves, pine boughs--these conjure very distinct memories of seasons past. Our sense of smell helps us create memories while serving as a trigger years later as we recall them.

The nose is being studied for its role in Alzheimer's disease. According to Gabrielle, "Though we start losing some of our ability to detect odors as early as age 30, and it is common to suffer smell loss after age 60, a rapid deterioration among senior citizens can sometimes be associated with cognitive impairment."

Doctors in Portugal are using nasal tissue in adult stem-cell research. Although embryonic stem-cell research remains highly controversial, nobody seems too upset at the idea of a little nose-picking in the name of science.

Imagine the possibility of finding cures for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, paralysis and cancer thanks to our noses. It's enough to make you appreciate your own olfactory factory--no matter what the size or shape.

Be mindful of your nose. Breathe in and smell the world. Notice your fragrant memories as they waft by throughout the day.

The nose plays a huge role in connecting us to all that matters most. It may lead to some surprising cures for what ails us.

And that's nothing to sneeze at.

Go to Page 1

BIO:

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse offering specialized mindfulness training in Portland, Oregon. Her work has inspired thinkers in over 100 countries. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, visit http://www.mindmasseuse.com.

Some Aditional Articles you may enjoy

Arm Exercises For Beginning Bodybuilders by Rick Mitchell

7 Pillars of Weight Loss: Get up and do something about your body weight by Bette L. Hall CMA, NHC

Waist Your Breath - Breathing For A Thinner Waist by Nick Nilsson

Suddenly Cooking for One by Phyllis Staff

Hearing health resolutions for 2005 by Max Stein

Click a Number to go to an article index page
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39