Why Do I Keep Forgetting Things? 7 Sneaky Reasons Your Memory Is Playing Hide-and-Seek 🕵️‍♀️

If you've ever walked into a room and completely blanked on why you went there, your brain isn't broken — it's just overwhelmed, and science has some surprisingly simple explanations for why this keeps happening to you.

📝 Quick Summary

• Forgetting things is one of the top health concerns people search online — and most causes are completely fixable.
• Your brain isn't a hard drive — it's a priority filter, and it drops what it thinks you don't need.
• In this post, we'll uncover 7 common culprits behind forgetfulness and give you actionable fixes for each one.

💡 Introduction

Forgetting things has become a modern epidemic. Whether it's where you put your phone (it's in your hand, by the way) or the name of someone you've met five times, memory slip-ups feel both embarrassing and alarming. But before you spiral into a Google rabbit hole of worst-case diagnoses, take a breath. Most everyday forgetfulness is caused by a handful of very treatable lifestyle factors — and fixing them might be simpler than you think.

✅ Main Content

7 Reasons You Keep Forgetting Things

• ✅ 1. 😴 You're Running on Fumes (Sleep Deprivation) — During sleep, your brain replays the day's events and locks them into long-term storage. Missing even 90 minutes cuts memory consolidation efficiency by up to 40%. Fix: Aim for 7–9 hours; avoid screens 1 hour before bed.
• ✅ 2. 🤯 Stress Hormones Are Hijacking Your Hippocampus — Chronic stress floods your brain with cortisol, which literally shrinks the hippocampus — your memory's control center. Fix: Even 10 minutes of deep breathing daily measurably lowers cortisol.
• ✅ 3. 💦 You're Dehydrated (Yes, Really) — Your brain is 73% water. Even mild dehydration (just 2% fluid loss) impairs attention and short-term memory. Fix: Drink at least 8 cups of water daily.
• ✅ 4. 📱 You're Outsourcing Your Memory to Technology — Relying on your phone for everything trains your brain to stop encoding information. Fix: Practice "effortful recall" — try to remember something before you reach for your phone.
• ✅ 5. 🥐 Your Blood Sugar Is on a Rollercoaster — High-sugar diets cause inflammation in the hippocampus and disrupt insulin signals your brain needs for memory encoding. Fix: Replace refined carbs with complex carbs to stabilize your brain fuel.
• ✅ 6. 🧩 You're Not Paying Attention in the First Place — Most "forgetting" is actually a failure to encode — you never truly stored the information. Fix: Practice the "full attention" method — pause, make eye contact, and repeat names aloud.
• ✅ 7. 💊 Certain Medications Are the Culprit — Antihistamines, sleep aids, and blood pressure meds can all interfere with memory consolidation. Fix: Ask your doctor to review your medications if forgetfulness began when you started a new one.

❓ Real Questions, Real Answers

Q1: Is it normal to forget things at 30?

Absolutely. Cognitive decline doesn't meaningfully begin until the mid-50s for most people. Forgetfulness in your 30s is almost always caused by stress, poor sleep, or lifestyle — not early dementia.

Q2: Why do I forget words mid-sentence?

This is called a "tip-of-the-tongue" state. It happens because language retrieval and memory use slightly different neural pathways. Rest, hydration, and less multitasking help enormously.

Q3: Can forgetfulness be a sign of ADHD?

Yes! ADHD is often associated with working memory deficits. If forgetfulness is paired with difficulty concentrating and impulsivity, it's worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

Q4: Does anxiety cause forgetfulness?

Very much so. Anxiety keeps your brain in a state of high alert, diverting resources away from memory storage. Managing anxiety often results in dramatic memory improvements.

Q5: Why do I remember random facts but forget important things?

Your brain prioritizes emotionally charged and novel information. Attaching meaning or emotion to important info dramatically improves recall.

🔗 More From Memory Power Help

→ 🌟 Recommended Memory Boosters

→ ⚡ 7 Daily Rituals to Sharpen Your Mind and Prevent Memory Loss

📘 Amazon Pick: Memory Improvement & Brain Training Supplements

Ready to fight forgetfulness with science-backed tools? Find the top-rated memory and focus supplements on Amazon — third-party tested, highly reviewed.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I believe in.

💬 What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever forgotten — or walked into a room to do and completely blanked on? Drop your most relatable memory fail in the comments below! 😂

💭 Final Thoughts

Forgetting things isn't a character flaw — it's a signal. Your brain is telling you it's overloaded, under-resourced, or simply not given the right conditions to encode memories properly. The good news? Every single cause on this list is within your control to fix. Start with sleep, hydration, and one focused habit this week, and watch your memory start to sharpen.

🧠 Memory Encoding Explained: Why Your Brain Chooses What to Remember

The Art of Mental Rehearsal

 

Visualization Secrets: How to Train Your Mind's Eye for Maximum Memory Power 👁️

Discover the neuroscientific power of "Mental Simulation" and learn how to visualize your way to a faster, more reliable memory power in just minutes a day.

📝 Quick Summary:

• Memory power is significantly strengthened when you "pre-play" scenarios in your mind, as the brain often cannot distinguish between a real event and a vividly imagined one.

• This post explores how visualization activates the same neural circuits as physical action, allowing you to "prime" your brain for success and perfect recall.

💡 Intro Paragraph: Memory power is enhanced through a process called "Hebb’s Law"—neurons that fire together, wire together. When you use your imagination to vividly visualize a task or a piece of information, you are forcing those neurons to fire, effectively building a "mental muscle memory" that makes the real-world execution or recall feel effortless and automatic.

✅ Main Content Sections:

• The Principle of Equivalence: Understand why your brain activates the same regions when you imagine a sunset as it does when you actually see one.

• Vividness and Detail: Learn why adding sensory details—smells, textures, and sounds—to your mental images makes them "stickier" in your long-term memory.

• Overcoming Anxiety: How visualization can be used to desensitize the brain to high-pressure situations, preventing "mental blocks."

• The "Movie" Method: Techniques for turning your daily goals into a first-person mental movie to improve task follow-through.

❓ FAQ Section:

1. I can’t "see" pictures in my head; does this still work? Yes! This is called Aphantasia. Even if you can't "see" images, focusing on the feelings or descriptions of a scenario still activates the same cognitive benefits.

2. How long do I need to visualize for it to work? Research suggests that short, intense bursts of 5–10 minutes are more effective than long, unfocused sessions.

3. Is visualization different from daydreaming? Yes. Visualization is goal-oriented and intentional, whereas daydreaming is passive and wandering.

🔗 Health Boost Guide: To improve the clarity of your mental images, try the techniques in How Meditation and Mindfulness Improve Your Memory.

🔗 Health Challenge: Use these visualization tricks to master the strategies found in The Best Study Techniques for Students.

📘 Amazon Product Recommendation: To find specialized guided imagery tools and brain-training programs, check out these resources to Improve Memory.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.

The Art of Mental Rehearsal — 💬 Have you ever used mental rehearsal or visualization to prepare for something important? How did it affect your performance or confidence?

🧠  Cognitive Simulation: Designing Your Reality Through Mental Imagery

The Nature Reset

 

Green Time vs. Screen Time: How Nature Restores Your Memory Power 🌿

Discover why a simple walk in the park can increase your short-term memory by 20% and learn how the "Biophilia Effect" provides a massive boost to your daily memory power.

📝 Quick Summary:

• Memory power is often drained by the "directed attention" required for digital tasks, leading to mental fatigue and forgetfulness.

• This post explains how "soft fascination" in natural environments allows your brain's executive centers to rest and recover, significantly improving your focus and recall.

💡 Intro Paragraph: Memory power is a finite resource that can be depleted by the constant "top-down" processing required by smartphones and urban environments. By immersing yourself in green spaces, you trigger a neurological "reset" that clears out metabolic waste from your neural pathways and restores your ability to concentrate on complex information.

✅ Main Content Sections:

• The 20% Boost: Learn about the University of Michigan study that proved walking in nature improves memory performance significantly more than walking in a city.

• Soft Fascination: Understand how looking at clouds, trees, or water provides the perfect "low-effort" stimulus to allow the prefrontal cortex to rest.

• Fractal Geometry: Why the repeating patterns found in nature (fractals) reduce brain stress levels and improve cognitive clarity.

• The "Three-Day Effect": Discover why a weekend in the wilderness can lead to a 50% increase in creative problem-solving and long-term retention.

❓ FAQ Section:

1. Do I have to go to a forest to see results? No! Even looking at pictures of nature or having office plants can provide a small but measurable boost to your memory power.

2. How long do I need to be outside? Research suggests that just 20 minutes of "green time" is enough to significantly lower cortisol and improve focus.

3. Does "blue space" (water) work too? Yes! Being near oceans, lakes, or rivers provides a similar restorative effect known as the "Blue Mind" phenomenon.

🔗 Health Boost Guide: To see how natural environments complement your physical health, check out our 7 Natural Ways to Improve Memory and Health.

🔗 Health Challenge: Learn how to balance your outdoor time with modern living in The Impact of Technology on Memory.

📘 Amazon Product Recommendation: To enhance your outdoor experience and track your cognitive recovery, check out these tools to Improve Memory.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.

The Nature Reset — 💬 Do you notice a difference in your focus and mental clarity after spending time outdoors? Share your favorite nature spot that helps reset your brain!

🧠 Biophilic Intelligence: Reconnecting with the Earth to Sharpen the Mind

The Rhythm of Remembrance

 

Harmony for the Brain: How Music Unlocks and Protects Your Memory Power 🎵

Discover the "Mozart Effect" and learn how to use rhythm and melody to create "audio anchors" that skyrocket your daily memory power and focus.

📝 Quick Summary:

• Memory power is uniquely stimulated by music because it activates the auditory, motor, and emotional centers of the brain simultaneously.

• This post explores how "rhythmic entrainment" can help you memorize complex information and why your favorite songs are often your strongest mental anchors.

💡 Intro Paragraph: Memory power and music are neurologically inseparable; the parts of the brain that process music are located right next to the regions that store long-term memories. This is why hearing a song from your youth can instantly trigger a flood of specific details, smells, and emotions from that time—a phenomenon you can use to intentionally "tag" new information.

✅ Main Content Sections:

• The Mozart Effect: Learn how listening to complex classical music can temporarily boost your spatial-temporal reasoning and focus.

• Rhythmic Mnemonics: Why setting your study notes to a simple beat or melody makes them 50% easier to recall during a high-stress moment.

• Audio Anchoring: Use specific playlists for specific tasks to "prime" your brain for deep work or creative output.

• Music Therapy: How rhythmic patterns are used to help patients with memory loss re-access lost biographical data.

❓ FAQ Section:

1. Does lyrics-heavy music help me study? Generally, no. Music with lyrics can interfere with your brain's language processing centers. Instrumental or Lo-Fi beats are better for "memory encoding."

2. Can learning an instrument improve my memory at any age? Absolutely. Learning to read and play music is one of the best ways to increase "white matter" connectivity in the brain.

3. Why do songs get stuck in my head? These are called "Earworms," and they occur when your brain's phonological loop gets stuck—you can use this same mechanism to memorize important facts!

🔗 Health Boost Guide: To enhance your creative focus while listening to music, check out our post on Keeping Your Memory Sharp and Focused.

🔗 Health Challenge: Learn how these audio habits fit into a total brain-first lifestyle in 10 Daily Habits to Boost Your Memory.

📘 Amazon Product Recommendation: To find the best audio tools and brain-training music systems, check out these resources to Improve Memory.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.

The Rhythm of Remembrance — 💬 Do you use music to help you focus or remember things? What kind of music works best for your brain — classical, lo-fi, or something else entirely?

🧠 Auditory Neuroplasticity: Tuning Your Brain for Maximum Recall

 The Social Secret: How Conversation and Connection Supercharge Memory Power 🗣️

Discover why meaningful conversation is one of the most complex tasks your brain can perform and how staying social can double your daily memory power.

📝 Quick Summary:

• Memory power thrives on the "Social Brain Hypothesis," which suggests our large brains evolved primarily to navigate complex social relationships.

• This post explains how interacting with others forces your brain to juggle verbal processing, emotional intelligence, and rapid recall all at once.

💡 Intro Paragraph: Memory power is significantly more resilient in individuals who maintain active social lives. Engaging in a deep conversation requires your brain to retrieve stored information, interpret nonverbal cues, and predict future responses—a multilayered cognitive process that strengthens neural pathways and helps protect against the onset of age-related forgetfulness.

✅ Main Content Sections:

• The Mirror Neuron System: Learn how observing and interacting with others keeps your brain’s "empathy circuits" and memory sharp.

• Cognitive Complexity: Why a 10-minute chat with a friend is more mentally stimulating than a solo crossword puzzle.

• Oxytocin and Protection: Discover how the "bonding hormone" reduces brain inflammation and supports the growth of new neurons.

• Active Listening: Techniques to improve your "working memory" by focusing intently on what others are saying before responding.

❓ FAQ Section:

1. Does social media count as "socializing" for the brain? Not quite. Digital interaction lacks the non-verbal cues (tone, body language) that provide the true "cognitive workout" of face-to-face meetings.

2. What if I’m an introvert? You don’t need a huge crowd. Deep, one-on-one connections are actually more effective for memory power than superficial group settings.

3. How often should I socialize for brain health? Aim for at least 2–3 meaningful interactions per week to maintain the "social shield" around your cognitive function.

🔗 Health Boost Guide: To see how social joy impacts your recall, read about How Laughter and Positive Emotions Affect Memory.

🔗 Health Challenge: Learn how to recall those important names during your next social event in our guide to The Secret to Never Forgetting a Name.

📘 Amazon Product Recommendation: To enhance your social skills and keep your mind sharp for networking, check out these tools to Improve Memory.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.

The Social Secret: How Conversation and Connection Supercharge Memory Power — 💬 Have you noticed that staying socially active keeps your mind sharper? Who is the one person in your life whose conversations always leave you feeling mentally energized?

🧠 Relational Neurobiology: Why Your Brain Was Built for Connection

The Solar Spark for Cognition

 

Sunlight and Serotonin: How Vitamin D Charges Your Memory Power ☀️

Discover why a lack of "The Sunshine Vitamin" could be the hidden cause of your brain fog and learn how to use natural light to reset your focus and memory power.

📝 Quick Summary:

• Memory power is significantly influenced by Vitamin D, which acts more like a neurosteroid than a vitamin and regulates over 1,000 physiological processes in the brain.

• This post explains how sunlight exposure regulates your circadian rhythm and provides the raw materials needed for neural repair and mental clarity.

💡 Intro Paragraph: Memory power relies on a delicate balance of neurotransmitters that are directly triggered by light hitting the retina. When you spend too much time indoors, your Vitamin D levels plummet, leading to a decrease in "executive function"—the part of your brain responsible for planning, organizing, and retrieving stored information.

✅ Main Content Sections:

• The Vitamin D Receptor: Learn how almost every area of the brain, including the hippocampus, has specific receptors that require Vitamin D to function.

• Circadian Syncing: Why "First Light" exposure in the morning is the most important trigger for a sharp mind throughout the day.

• Mood and Retention: Understand the link between low sunlight, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and the "memory blocks" that come with them.

• Safe Exposure: Tips for getting your "daily dose" of sun in 10–20 minutes without damaging your skin.

❓ FAQ Section:

1. Can I just take a supplement instead of going outside? Supplements help, but natural sunlight also triggers the release of nitric oxide, which improves blood flow to the brain in a way a pill cannot.

2. Does sunlight help you study? Yes! Natural light has been shown to improve concentration and performance on cognitive tests compared to artificial "cool" lighting.

3. What if I live in a cloudy climate? Focus on "Light Therapy" lamps and on increasing dietary Vitamin D through fatty fish and fortified foods to protect your memory.

🔗 Health Boost Guide: To support your brain from the inside out while you're outside, check out our Top 15 Brain-Boosting Foods That Improve Memory.

🔗 Health Challenge: Learn how light affects your sleep-wake cycle in 10 Daily Habits to Boost Your Memory.

📘 Amazon Product Recommendation: To track your levels and find the best light-therapy tools, explore these resources to Improve Memory.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.

The Solar Spark for Cognition — 💬 How much time do you spend each day outdoors soaking up natural sunlight? Have you ever noticed a difference in your mood and mental clarity on sunny days versus cloudy ones?

🧠 Photo-Biology: Harnessing the Power of Light for Mental Sharpness

The Gut-Brain Connection

The Second Brain: How Gut Health Impacts Your Memory Power 🍎

Learn the fascinating science behind the gut microbiome and discover how the bacteria in your stomach can either sharpen or dull your daily memory power.

📝 Quick Summary:

• Memory power is not just an "above-the-neck" phenomenon; the gut produces about 90% of the body's serotonin and significantly influences cognitive inflammation.

• This post details the "Gut-Brain Axis" and provides a diet plan to foster the beneficial bacteria that protect your brain from "fog" and forgetfulness.

💡 Intro Paragraph: Memory power is inextricably linked to the health of your digestive system through the vagus nerve. When your gut microbiome is out of balance (a state called dysbiosis), it can send inflammatory signals to the brain that interfere with synaptic plasticity, making it harder to form new memories or recall old ones.

✅ Main Content Sections:

• The Vagus Nerve Highway: Understand the physical "cable" that allows your gut to communicate directly with your brain's memory centers.

• Probiotics for Focus: Why fermented foods like kimchi and kefir are considered "brain food" that can lower anxiety and improve mental clarity.

• Prebiotic Fiber: Learn how fueling your good bacteria with onions, garlic, and bananas leads to a more resilient mind.

• The Sugar Trap: How high sugar intake causes gut inflammation that "leaks" into the brain, slowing down your processing speed.

❓ FAQ Section:

1. Can a probiotic supplement really help my memory? Yes, specific strains known as "psychobiotics" have been shown in 2025 studies to improve stress response and memory scores.

2. What are the signs of a "leaky gut" affecting my brain? Common signs include chronic brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and "afternoon crashes" in mental energy.

3. How long does it take to fix my gut to improve my memory? You can begin to see shifts in your microbiome diversity in as little as 3 to 7 days of significant dietary changes.

🔗 Health Boost Guide: For a list of specific foods to eat, check out our Top 15 Brain-Boosting Foods That Improve Memory.

🔗 Health Challenge: Combine gut health with physical movement by reading 7 Natural Ways to Improve Memory and Health.

📘 Amazon Product Recommendation: To find high-quality probiotics and digestive supports tailored for cognitive health, check out these resources to Improve Memory.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.

The Gut-Brain Connection — 💬 Have you ever changed your diet and noticed a difference in your mental clarity or memory? Share what dietary change made the biggest impact on how your brain feels!

🧠 Microbiome Management: Cultivating a Thriving Internal Ecosystem for Brain Health 

The Power of Narrative Recall

 

Storytelling Secrets: How to Turn Boring Facts into Unforgettable Memory Power 📖

Discover why your brain is naturally built for narratives and learn the "Chain Method" to weave information into stories that skyrocket your daily memory power.

📝 Quick Summary:

• Memory power is significantly higher when information is presented as a story because it engages the emotional and imaginative parts of the brain simultaneously.

• This post teaches you how to use "Narrative Chaining" to link unrelated items into a cohesive plot, making them nearly impossible to forget.

💡 Intro Paragraph: Memory power flourishes when we stop treating information like a list and start treating it like a legend. Evolutionarily, humans shared survival information through oral storytelling for millennia before the invention of writing; by tapping into this ancient cognitive architecture, you can memorize complex data sets by simply "telling yourself a story."

✅ Main Content Sections:

• The Narrative Chain: Connect a list of items by creating a funny, fast-paced story where one item leads logically (or absurdly) to the next.

• Character Encoding: Assign a "character" to a complex concept to give it a personality that your brain can easily recognize.

• The Hero’s Journey for Learning: Structure your study sessions like a quest, where each fact is a "key" needed to reach the final goal.

• Emotional Anchoring: Why the more "ridiculous" or emotional the story is, the more likely your brain is to move it to long-term storage.

❓ FAQ Section:

1. Why do I remember movie plots but not my grocery list? Because movies use a narrative structure with emotional highs and lows, which signals to your brain that the information is important.

2. Can I use this for professional data? Absolutely. Turning a quarterly report into a "story of growth and challenges" makes the statistics much easier to recall during a meeting.

3. Is there a limit to how long the story can be? While shorter stories are easier to manage, "Memory Champions" have been known to create mental "novels" to store thousands of pieces of information.

🔗 Health Boost Guide: To help your brain visualize these stories more clearly, try the exercises in How Meditation and Mindfulness Improve Your Memory.

🔗 Health Challenge: Learn how these creative mental tricks help keep your mind young in Keeping Your Memory Sharp and Focused.

📘 Amazon Product Recommendation: To see how professional mnemonists use storytelling to perform incredible feats, check out these resources to Improve Memory.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.

The Power of Narrative Recall — 💬 Do you naturally think in stories or do you tend to think in facts and lists? Have you ever tried turning information into a story to help you remember it better?

🧠 Narrative Neurobiology: Why Stories Are the Ultimate Filing System

The Scent of Success

 

The Proust Effect: How to Use Scents to Anchor and Recall Your Memory Power 🌿

Discover why smell is the only sense with a direct "fast-track" to your brain's memory center and learn how to use specific aromas to double your daily memory power.

📝 Quick Summary:

• Memory power is uniquely tied to our sense of smell because the olfactory bulb has direct access to the hippocampus, the brain’s "hard drive."

• This post explains how to create "sensory anchors" using essential oils like rosemary and peppermint to improve exam scores and work productivity by up to 20%.

💡 Intro Paragraph: Memory power is often at its peak when we engage our sense of smell. Unlike sight or sound, which must pass through the brain's "switchboard" (the thalamus), scents go straight to the emotional and memory-processing centers. This is why a single whiff of a childhood meal can instantly transport you back twenty years with vivid detail.

✅ Main Content Sections:

• Rosemary for Recall: Recent 2025 studies show that diffusing rosemary can improve memory recall and alertness by nearly 20% in office environments.

• The Peppermint Boost: Use peppermint during "encoding" (learning) to stay alert and reduce mental fatigue that can lead to forgetfulness.

• Sensory Anchoring: Learn how to "tag" information by smelling a specific scent while studying and then smelling it again during the test or presentation.

• The Lavender Shield: Use lavender at night to reduce cortisol levels, allowing for the deep sleep necessary to "lock in" the day's memories.

❓ FAQ Section:

1. Why is smell stronger than sight for memory? The olfactory system is physically located next to the hippocampus and amygdala, creating an intimate link between scent, emotion, and memory.

2. Does this work with synthetic perfumes? Natural essential oils are generally more effective because they contain chemical compounds such as 1,8-cineole that interact with brain neurotransmitters.

3. Can I use the same scent for everything? It’s better to use different scents for different tasks (e.g., Lemon for focus, Rosemary for memorizing) to keep the neural "tags" distinct.

🔗 Health Boost Guide: To maximize these sensory benefits, ensure your brain is physically ready by following our 10 Daily Habits to Boost Your Memory.

🔗 Health Challenge: Learn how these natural scents can complement other brain-boosting strategies in 7 Natural Ways to Improve Memory and Health.

📘 Amazon Product Recommendation: To start building your own sensory anchor kit, check out these high-quality tools to Improve Memory.

🔐 Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links.

The Scent of Success — 💬 Have you ever noticed how a certain smell instantly triggers a vivid memory? What scent takes you back the furthest, and what memory does it bring up?

🧠 Olfactory Intelligence: Using Aromatherapy as a Cognitive Tool