PTSD, also known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is one of the biggest health problems the United States faces. With the largest military force in the world and an extensive history of conflict, this country has seen a lot of veterans affected by PTSD in varying ways. It is not only veterans. It can be anyone. Individuals who are victims of violent crime, sexual assault, gang violence, and many more have all reported levels of PTSD in some way. Those affected go through an enormous strain mentally and physically in trying to live a normal life after their trauma. While there are many therapies for PTSD victims, combat veterans, in particular, there is still more to be done. Our veterans deserve better. In recent years, health officials have been trying to find new therapeutic ways to help treat PTSD. Prescribing heavy medications and upping doses isn’t working anymore. Health officials and PTSD victims are starting to realize that the approach needs to be more well-rounded and recognize all factors triggering the condition. One factor that has been overlooked up until now is odor.
Combat veterans are exposed to a number of unique odors in their deployment that the average citizen wouldn’t encounter as often. This includes odors like gunpowder, sand, dirt, diesel exhaust, burning rubber, blood, and the smell of dead bodies. These may seem like very basic or normal odors, but for combat veterans who engaged in conflicts where their life was at constant stake, these odors trigger traumatic memories and may bring them back to a time where they wish to forget. This blog looks at two research articles regarding odor stimuli and memory consolidation with the focus of one in particular that is separate from the one our Neuro Seminar examined. The research article by Bernadette M. Cortese and others is titled, “Differential Odor Sensitivity in PTSD: Implications for Treatment and Future Research,” and it aims to look at self-reported odor distress in combat veterans who have PTSD. In Cortese’s research, combat veterans completed a questionnaire to rank their level of engagement in combat in order for the researchers to differentiate between the varying levels of exposure and combat the veterans might have seen. Applicants had to be already diagnosed with PTSD and show no history of alcohol and substance abuse.
They were then provided a questionnaire on a variety of odors in varying categories and were asked to self-report whether the odor was stressing or relaxing for them. Some examples of these odors included gunpowder, sand, dirt, diesel exhaust, burning rubber, blood, and the smell of dead bodies. Results in this study showed a multitude of things. First, combat veterans did not report any trigger of danger or stress when it came to unpleasant and common odors they smelled during their service like garbage, feces, and raw sewage. From this, researchers conclude that these veterans learned to ignore these distracting odors and become immune to their unpleasant levels in order to carry on with their work and normal life. This can be beneficial in knowing these veterans have the ability to distinguish different odors and be able to focus on certain ones. Doing this requires two brain processes and further research would help look into the specifics of these brain processes. This new understanding of distinguishing and focus can be used by researchers to improve therapy for PTSD victims.
The results showed that combat veterans showed heightened levels of stress and trauma towards odors that relate to violent combat like blood, fuel, and gunpowder. These odors represented signals of danger and threat to the veterans. As noted in the article, the combat veterans developed an increased sensitivity to these danger threat-inducing odors. While researchers don’t know specifically why that is, they believe the veterans did this through associative odor threat learning.
In the article looked over in our Neuro Seminar class, “Odor Modulates the Temporal Dynamics of Fear Memory Consolidation,” Grella and her associates looked at the brain’s ability to recall certain memories effectively by using odor as a cue for memory reconsolidation. In comparison to Cortese’s research on veterans, Grella’s research looks more specifically into the physiological workings of the brain in odor and memory reconsolidation. Grella highlighted important points on the transition of memory between different brain parts. Grella’s findings can help Cortese in her research by helping solve the gaps of how the brains of combat veterans processed the different odors. Together, both of the studies can approach odor stimulation and memory and emotional reconsolidation with a more well-rounded approach. This new approach would allow health experts to better help victims of PTSD in overcoming their symptoms. Therapy for veterans and anyone with PTSD cannot be a one-sided approach. The condition needs to be looked at and combatted in varying angles that seem fit to alleviate the patient of their stresses and transition them back to function normally in society.
In the future, Cortese and her research team can look to improve their studies in a number of ways. Future studies should look at the response levels to the same odors prior to the veteran’s deployment. Veterans with backgrounds in mechanics, industry, or hard labor will have more exposure to dirt, burning material, and such may affect their new exposure while deployed. Future studies should also look at the odor sensitivity in PTSD patients who are not veterans like victims of violent shootings, beatings, or sexual assault. Different traumas bring different sensitivities. It is important that when trying to lead a new and improved fight against PTSD that health experts don’t forget that combat veterans aren’t the only individuals with PTSD. Any medical facilities or training of personnel with regards to new PTSD information should be done throughout the country to all eligible participants in addition to what would be the first rollout of new therapies for veterans. Understanding these traumas, their effects, and specifically how the brain works through all of this opens new avenues for medical professionals to examine and help millions of those suffering PTSD around the world live healthier and happier lives.
Cortese, Bernadette M., et al. "Differential Odor Sensitivity in PTSD: Implications for Treatment and Future Research." Journal of Affective Disorders vol. 179 (2019): 23-30. 01 Oct 2019
https://www.ncbi.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4437877/
Grella, Stephanie., et al. "Odor Modulates the Temporal Dynamics of Fear Memory
Consolidation." Learning, Memory, CHS Press. 11 Nov 2021.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7dgpx2d6hnkj540/AADLBXg1j271cT9uLZS
jhrBZa/(11.30.21)%20-%20Grella?dl=0&preview=Learn.+Mem.-2020-Grella
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