“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 25, 2025
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline.
I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you.
But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be the early warning system we’ve been looking for all along.
Researchers from Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a simple smell test that could revolutionize how we detect cognitive decline—right from our own living rooms.
As it turns out, your nose knows—often well before your brain shows obvious symptoms.
This groundbreaking research, published in Scientific Reports, found that older adults with mild cognitive issues performed significantly worse on odor identification and memory tasks compared to those with normal cognitive function.
What makes this finding so exciting is its simplicity and accessibility.
The AROMHA Brain Health Test works by having participants scratch and sniff odor labels placed on cards. Then, a web-based app is used to assess their ability to identify, distinguish, and remember different smells.
No fancy equipment, no expensive brain scans, no invasive procedures—just a simple sniff test that can be completed at home.
Why does this work?
It turns out that problems with smelling (what scientists call olfactory dysfunction) can serve as an early warning sign for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, and traumatic brain injury.
Think of your sense of smell as the “canary in the coal mine.” for your brain health. Your ability to smell often deteriorates before other more noticeable cognitive symptoms appear, giving you a head start on detection and intervention.
The potential impact of this research is substantial:
Early detection: Spotting cognitive decline years before more obvious symptoms appear allows for earlier intervention when treatments may be more effective.
Accessibility: A simple, affordable test that doesn’t require a trip to a specialist could make screening available to many more people.
Widespread screening: This test could be used in primary care settings, community health centers, or even at home, reaching people who may otherwise be overlooked.
While this specific test isn’t widely available to the public yet, it’s certainly something to look for in the near future. The researchers are continuing their work to validate the test in larger populations.
In the meantime, if you notice changes in your sense of smell that aren’t related to a cold or sinus issue, it’s worth mentioning to your doctor. While smell loss can occur for many reasons—and often has benign explanations—it could potentially be an early sign worth investigating, especially if you have other risk factors for cognitive decline.
P.S. You may also qualify for a free scratch and sniff test as part of a research study on smell loss and brain disease being conducted by the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Go to MySmellTest.org for more information.
Source:
Jobin, B., Magdamo, C., Delphus, D. et al. The AROMHA brain health test is a remote olfactory assessment to screen for cognitive impairment. Sci Rep 15, 9290 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92826-8
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...