This week, a patent application was published detailing American startup REMmedy's scent-based method for inducing better sleep. The idea is based off of the well-known experiment of Pavlov's dogs, which showed that a physiological response (salivating) could be paired with an environmental/neural stimulus (the sound of a bell). REMmedy applies these principles to help improve sleep in unfamiliar environments like new homes or hotels. First, the user goes through a seven-day conditioning period using wearable sensors where a scent diffuser is automatically activated based on their sleep stage, thus pairing the two experiences. The same scent can then be used later to trigger physiological responses in order to encourage deep sleep. REMmedy presented their idea at a start-up showcase in 2019 but has not yet commercialized any products. This is the company's first patent application.
