New Study Suggests ‘Sniffing Your Own Farts’ May Boost Brain Health And Lower Alzheimer’s Risk

It sounds strange, but the science behind it is surprisingly interesting.

It may feel a little gross to even think about, but a new study claims that having a whiff of your own farts could actually help improve brain function and lower your chances of developing Alzheimer’s later in life. The idea is wild, yet the research behind it has sparked genuine interest.

Right now, around 7.2 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and the numbers are expected to rise as the population ages. The disease affects one in nine people who are 65 and older, showing just how common and life-changing it can be.

Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia often begin with mild forgetfulness, but symptoms can develop into confusion, hallucinations, physical stiffness, and even severe anxiety over time. Because of how devastating it can be, any potential method to reduce risk naturally grabs attention.

So, when researchers suggest that giving your own farts a quick sniff might offer some benefit, people understandably lean in out of curiosity. The idea may sound like a joke, but the science points toward something worth paying attention to.

Investigators at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that hydrogen sulfide — the gas responsible for that familiar terrible smell — may help slow cognitive decline and protect brain cells from damage that leads to Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Bindu Paul, an associate professor and study co-author, explained the findings clearly: “Our new data firmly link aging, neurodegeneration and cell signaling using hydrogen sulfide and other gaseous molecules within the cell.”

Apparently, the smell of farts can decrease chances of Alzheimer’sGetty Stock Photo

The research team carried out their study using genetically modified mice that show signs similar to human Alzheimer’s.

They injected the mice with NaGYY, a compound designed to release small amounts of gas molecules throughout the body over time.

After allowing twelve weeks for the compound to work, the scientists ran a series of tests to see how the mice performed.

They focused on memory and movement, two major areas impacted by Alzheimer’s, and the results were impressive.

The mice that received the treatment showed around a 50 percent improvement in both memory and motor skills compared to those that received no treatment at all.

The difference was clear and caught the team’s attention immediately.

Unblock your nose if you want to reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer’s…Getty Stock Photo

The treated mice also appeared more physically active and showed stronger recall than those that didn’t get the smelly compound.

It suggested a meaningful connection between hydrogen sulfide and healthier brain function.

“The results showed that the behavioral outcomes of Alzheimer’s disease could be reversed by introducing hydrogen sulfide,” the Johns Hopkins team noted while sharing their findings.

The researchers didn’t stop there. They continued studying how sulfur-based molecules interact with important proteins, including glycogen synthase β (GSK3β), which is strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological issues.

“Understanding the cascade of events is important to designing therapies that can block this interaction like hydrogen sulfide is able to do,” PhD student Daniel Giovinazzo explained when discussing how these interactions could lead to better treatment options in the future.

So the next time you accidentally let one slip, just remember — there might be a tiny silver lining in the science behind it.

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