Imaginary Smell (phantom smell)
How does your sense of smell work?
When something gives off a smell, it means tiny molecules have evaporated from its surface and reached your nose.
High up inside your nose is tissue containing specialised nerve cells, called olfactory sensory neurons, which connect directly to your brain.
These nerve cells have receptors that detect the microscopic odour molecules and send electrical signals to the brain. The brain receives these signals and identifies the smell.
There are two ways smells can reach the olfactory sensory neurons:
- By the 'front door' through the nostrils.
- By the 'back door' through the throat to the back of the nasal cavity. Chewing food releases odour molecules and when you swallow, the tongue pushes this air into the back of the nasal cavity (this is known as "retro-nasal olfaction").
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
NHS Choices information on phantosmia - the medical term for an imaginary odour or phantom smell - with links to other useful resources.
How does your sense of smell work?
When something gives off a smell, it means tiny molecules have evaporated from its surface and reached your nose. High up inside your nose is tissue containing specialised nerve cells, called olfacto
What could cause phantom smells?
There are a wide range of possible causes of phantosmia, which include: nasal infection some people start to perceive a smell after they develop an infection that affects their nose or sinuses (re
How is it diagnosed?
Your GP will want to know if the problem is definitely with your sense of smell, and not with your sense of taste (it's easy to confuse these). They will also want to determine whether the smell is p
How is phantosmia treated?
Some people with phantosmia will find that the smell gradually fades over a few months, and no treatment is needed. If it is caused by an illness such as sinusitis, it should go when you recover from
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