Although it might seem quite unappealing, recent research suggests that ‘sniffing your own farts’ could potentially enhance brain functions and lower the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
In the United States, around 7.2 million individuals suffer from Alzheimer’s, with an alarming statistic showing that one in nine people aged 65 and older are affected by this devastating condition.
Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s or dementia involve memory loss, but certain variants of the disease can also lead to hallucinations, rigidity, and anxiety.
Consequently, any guidance on reducing the risk of developing this illness is highly valued, and it is suggested that smelling your own flatulence might be beneficial in this regard.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that hydrogen sulfide, the compound responsible for the unpleasant odor of flatulence, might help in slowing down cognitive decline and even combat Alzheimer’s.
Dr. Bindu Paul, an associate professor and co-author of the study, stated: “Our new data firmly link aging, neurodegeneration and cell signaling using hydrogen sulfide and other gaseous molecules within the cell.”
The researchers reached these intriguing conclusions by using genetically altered mice that simulate human Alzheimer’s disease and administering a compound known as NaGYY to them.
This compound is believed to gradually distribute gas molecules throughout the body. After a period of 12 weeks, scientists evaluated the mice’s memory and motor function, discovering significant improvements of 50 percent compared to the untreated group.
The mice exposed to the odorous compound exhibited enhanced memory and increased physical activity.
“The results showed that the behavioral outcomes of Alzheimer’s disease could be reversed by introducing hydrogen sulfide,” the experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine noted.
The research team at Johns Hopkins is further exploring how sulfur groups interact with the glycogen synthase β (GSK3β) and other proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
“Understanding the cascade of events is important to designing therapies that can block this interaction like hydrogen sulfide is able to do,” said PhD student Daniel Giovinazzo.
So, the next time you pass gas, just remember you might actually be doing something beneficial.
If you’ve been affected by Alzheimer’s and would like to speak with someone confidentially, reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association at 800.272.3900, available 24/7.