Parosmia and Phantosmia with Mr. Samuel Leong and Tom Laughton

[@mhelenx4123]

Thank you Tom and Mr Samuel Leong for the clear explanations

[@FifthSenseUK]

Thank you for your feedback. Have a great day, Dan.

[@cd7953]

I recently moved and was smelling a smokey/burnt odor that no one else could smell and everyone thought I was crazy b/c it was bothering me so much (it was really strong at times). I began to believe I was imagining it and started googling to find out if others had the same experience. I stumbled across this video, which helped me immensely! Knowing I wasn't alone in this experience was encouraging. But when I kept smelling it, I couldn't help but continue investigating it. I discovered an outlet had an issue (plug kept slipping out & the outlet sparked white light when taking the plug all the way out), so I changed the receptacle and that helped with a smell a bit. The smell did linger though. Finally, I felt heat coming from the bottom of the fridge and looked up a video about cleaning underneath the fridge (specifically the coils) and was amazed at how dirty it can get under there! I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I never really gave it much thought before. So I cleaned underneath my fridge, along with the grill (b/c something sticky had spilled on it) & finally the burnt/smokey smell is gone!!! I realize that parosmia/phantosmia exists, but for anyone who is truly cursed/blessed w/ enhanced olfactory senses, and therefore is smelling something stemming from an unknown source, I wanted to share my experience. Not having that nasty smell anymore has brought me such relief. Good luck to everyone!!

[@FifthSenseUK]

Thank you for your comment and for sharing your story. We are sure others will find it helpful. There is a term for people who have a heightened sense of smell, this is called hyperosmia. If you need any further support or guidance, please consider emailing our team at: [e-mail]

[@livefree1111]

@CD this is interesting because I notice that when I go somewhere outside my house, I don’t smell smoke but when I come back home I sometime smell it. I change the (AC) filters and the smell stops. I noticed that my outlet does the same as yours so I’ll fix that and check the frig. Thanks

[@cd7953]

@@livefree1111 I started smelling the burnt smell again a few months ago, and after a thorough investigation, I discovered it was coming from my touchscreen laptop. One day before the smell returned, I took my laptop outside to get a change of scenery. To continue working, I turned the laptop screen up at maximum brightness level and left it this way when I signed off & finished my work for the day. Apparently, that was enough to overheat the battery and cause this horrible burnt smell to linger in my home for days. I use my laptop nearly daily, so the smell was constant and intense. It was not until almost 10 days later when I lowered the screen's brightness setting and adjusted the battery settings to a lower level, that the smell vanished. I don't know exactly what it was (the battery, the mesh-type touchscreen, or other components in the laptop), but the smell was gone immediately after I made those adjustments. I'm so incredibly grateful the scent is gone b/c it is a highly irritating and disturbing smell, especially when you cannot escape it in your home. So again, I'm sharing my experience here in case it helps anyone else. Good luck, everyone!

[@skelazon]

What the hell is so hard for all these doctors to understand about this? It's frustrating at this point! The olfactory nerves are the only nerves to generate themselves in a cycle of around 30-60 days, possibly 90 total. So after the viral infection, the olfactory bulb is damaged. Thus, the olfactory neurons are never able to reach full maturity. SO we are left with a bunch of immature neurons attempting to make a connection with the bulb but failing - that's when parosmia occurs. Phantosmia as well. Your neurons are trying to make smell memories but failing, so they misfire constantly and you smell distorted or phantom odors (with no stimuli present) bc the neurons are trying to connect with the bulb! They also go thru an inevitable death cycle, and when they die off, the parosmia gets way worse since there's little to NO neurons connecting correctly at all... that's why everyone suffering from this is so mfkn confused and are wondering why they have periods where they feel much better and can smell and periods where it gets super duper worse again. Feels like you're backpeddling and no longer moving forward with this condition. Ya'll need to go to a specialist facility, a taste and smell CLINIC, there are a few located around the USA. These doctors dedicate their life to treating all the osmias. All the smell issues. Please stop wasting your time with doctors that are just spewing nonsense left and right about this, they obviously DONT get what's going on! SO please see someone who gets it! I finally did!! And NO. These disorders CAUSE anxiety and depression. NOT the other way around. Just wanted to clear that up.

[@charlottebirgittethomsen4273]

I dont know what to do anymore 😖 l have a constant rodden smell in my nose its awfull 😥 this is No life

[@tfoxen7518]

Regenerate. How do we know that the olfactory bulb is damaged due to a viral infection? Can imaging see this? Is it a hypothesis? Do you have supported publications? Stem cells reside in the epithenium which is outside of the bulb. 'Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) reside within the peripheral Olfactory Epithelium (OE) and the brain's subventricular zone that generate Olfactory Sensory Neurons (OSNs) and interneurons of the Olfactory Bulb (OB), respectivel."

[@jaku12mil]

Hi @skelazon, which clinic did you go for treatment?

[@AyTee77]

I smell a cigarette smoke but with some pleasant perfume like hint. So not unpleasant at all. And it happens like clockwork every evening at the same time. I use to think it was my neighbours having a regular evening smoke but they aren’t always outside at the time. It took a while to figure out it was my nose. I’ve had visitors over at the time who confirmed there was no smoke smell. I also agree, mine manifested after high stresses and fatigue (due to lack of proper sleep). I’m working to get my sleep back to “normal”. Thank you, very insightful.

[@ck36560]

dude ive been having exactly that during school when im stressed, its a fishy smell tho, and trust me i dont stink im very self conscious abt that shit bc i got bad anxiety/social anxiety. ive been smelling it for about a week and its really bothering me ive had to take days off bc its jus suicidal feeling being there around everyone wit that foul fish smell and thinkin its me but ppl around me at home say they dont smell anything when im catchin whiffs of it. And like u said, its manifesting during my school hours

[@jonbossz7190]

I smell cigarette smoke all the time to I use to think my neighbors were chain smokers lol it sucks makes me sick

[@justcurious3798]

Oh my goodness, I could of written your comment out myself. I even felt angry at neighbors for smoking so much, until one day I discovered it was me that could smell this only, after asking family members could they smell it. Of course they could not! It's really starting to get me down..it's been a good few months..I know I can not live with this! I feel for you and others alike . X

[@tanazinn8484]

Thank you for posting this helpful video!🙏…3-4 yrs ago out of know where I developed a very strong smell of car exhaust all day long for up to a week…it continues to come back anywhere from a month to several months…smelling that exhaust smell all day long for 3-5 days is horrible…it’s as if I were standing directly behind a running vehicle!😫🤢

[@michaoginski6220]

Thanks from poland.

[@missluna5]

I had covid back in Oct 21 and lost my sense of smell and taste completely and it hasn’t returned to normal. The only smells I can smell are so distorted, coffee smells vile, as does wine! Still can’t taste a thing, which makes cooking, which I love very difficult and it’s getting rather depressing now. The last few days I’ve been smelling coal smoke and its driving me mad, its so horrid and acrid, but at least I know I’m not going insane and there is a name for it! I will take it as a good sign that my nose and my brain are trying to figure things out,. I shall start smell training right away and hope for the best,. Thank you so much for the information.

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Luna , thank you for your comment. We are glad that you have found the information helpful and we wish you the best of luck with your smell training journey. If you would like to speak to someone about your parosmia, you can contact Fifth Sense directly at: [e-mail]

[@shirleyarmitt7914]

I had " mild" covid Nov 2021. Hospitalised for 7 days. Recovered quite well with just fatigue ( I have ms). But about 4 weeks ago I started with a bad smell of old, burnt grease. Cleaning everywhere! I thought my home was dirty! Until I smelled it in a shop. My husband thinks I've gone 🤪 crazy. It's not constant but often. Plus I can't eat fried or roasted food anymore. Its a gross smell! You just mentioned tinnitus...u have that too!!!!

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Shirley, thank you for your comment. If you would like to speak with someone directly about your experience, please consider emailing us at: [e-mail]

[@Raya-zy6kn]

Two years of parsomia and now with the second infection with covid I have phantosmia! The smell of fire!! I don't know how long I can stand this situation😔😔

[@charlottebirgittethomsen4273]

Me to l have a constant rodden smell in my nose 😥 l realy Hope we get Better treatment s

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi there, we are sorry to hear about your experience. Please consider emailing us directly at: [e-mail] and we can see how best to support you.

[@Ronaldrygun]

I’m a firefighter and I’ve been smelling what smells exactly like an electrical fire and it’s freaking me out cause I can’t tell if I’m hallucinating or my house is on fire

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Aiden, thank you for your comment. If you would like to speak to someone about this change in your sense of smell - please email us at: [e-mail]

[@meredithbuckley4350]

I had a mild to moderate case of covid in December 2020, including about two weeks loss of taste and smell. After recovering, I started noticing phantom smells and changes in some everyday smells. Told my ENT about it but he didn't offer any treatment. Prior to covid if been suffering from acute nonallergic rhinitis. Before and after COVID I've been taking Singulair and Azelastine daily. In the baby months since this began, the parosmia has become less bothersome and doesn't really affect my negatively. The phantom smells, however, will appear randomly and are very hard to ignore. Since last Saturday night I've been dealing with a near constant chemical burning smell that's causing loss of appetite, nausea, headaches, anxiety, and insomnia, burning sensation in nose, burning feeling in eyes. In nutshell, this sucks.

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Meredith, if you would like to speak to someone directly about your situation. Please contact us at: [e-mail] and we can have a chat.

[@laisa.]

Thanks for this video! I have periodically smelled odours through my life like smoke, chloride, ammonia but also perfume - of no explanation. I just laughed at it as my sense of smell was amazing otherwise. This past year I have lost 60-70% of my sense of smell, and it's depressing.. I haven't had covid or other infections (had anti body test for covid, brain MRI normal) BUT I developed tinnitus suddenly from a kind of vasovagal presyncope and then horrible anxiety due to the tinnitus ... I know this is a shot in the dark but could my intense anxiety/focus on tinnitus actually wipe out my ability to smell... My ENT gave me cortisol spray and smelling regime for 4 essential oils over 3 months. I don't know that it has helped that much.. Do you have inputs? 🌟 Thank you

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Liza, thank you for contacting Fifth Sense and we are so happy to hear that you liked the video. As I hope you can understand we are not able to comment on if the tinnitus-induced anxiety could have caused the changes in your sense of smell. Stress can have a huge impact on the body but it is very difficult to determine if this could be one. We hope the cortisol spray and smell training helps and if you need any advice, information, or support - then please contact us at [e-mail]

[@raquelwinfrey1886]

I have had this probably way before Covid came along. It started out with smelling cigarettes. Then it went to a funky smell in my nose. And now it’s full blown exhaust fumes that are so strong that my throat is irritated and my eyes burn😳😣 I’m not understanding what is really happening to me?? It’s like I have a unknown chip inside me and someone or something gets to push a button when they want to torment me! I’m dealing with this now!! On day 3 I need help

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Raquel, thank you for your comment and we are sorry to hear about your experience. If you would like to speak to someone, please email us directly at: [e-mail]

[@davidleo5766]

** **I suffered from Anosmia since Covid and it Sucks,... .... until I got some Herbs supplement from Dr Eromon KZbin channel,,, ..,, I've gotten back my sense of taste and smell,,,,,,.. .. .. I'm Greatful and I advise you help your self too ********

[@neenah4027]

My brother has never had a sense of smell. I only realized that my sense of smell was different in my early 20s. I can't smell a lot of things very well, unfortunately one of these is gas, and other smells I get confused. As far as phantom smells, I don't have many, although I get the litter fresh from the box confused with dirty litter. UGH. Thanks for this and other smell disorder videos, I thought I was just a weirdo who imagined things. It doesn't really bother me except I try to rent only places with electric stoves.

[@Pam-bx2mm]

I only smelled something once that wasn’t there. It was in 2015 the night my dad died. I was sobbing and unconsolable bc my dad has died and I wasn’t in the room when he had passed. I smelled a very strong pungent smell of pipe or cigar smell. I dad didn’t smoke. No one I knew smoked a pipe or cigars. A few years later after my uncle died my sister found a corn cob pipe in my uncle’s house. He belonged to my grandfather There was sill a scent in the pipe that smelled the exact same smell as I had the night my dad died. I never met my grandfather. He died when my dad was 4 years old. I know this can be pure coincidence Is it more common to have phantom smells during intense grief ?

[@justcurious3798]

I keep smelling cigarette smoke..I can't cope!😭

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi there, if you would like to speak to someone about the disturbance in your sense of smell, please contact us via email at: [e-mail]

[@williamlucas9311]

I know how frustrating it is,not been able to smell or taste anything ,thats why i am overwhelmed with the cure i got from dr ogbebor herbal centre

[@charlottebirgittethomsen4273]

Me to its awfull 😥

[@justcurious3798]

@@charlottebirgittethomsen4273 ohh , I so sorry to hear this, mine has subsided and hasn't been back since the weather has improved here. I don't know if this is related! I'm not holding out hope on this though, as I've had it before and it returned. Again, I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing this too... It is a very frustrating thing to experience! I truly hope, yours is as mine where for now, it is non existent.. subsides and never returns, I truly do. Much love to you ❤️

[@charlottebirgittethomsen4273]

@@justcurious3798 mine is due Smell lose Hope l can get relief or Better treatment s SOON 😥 thanks again DEAR 💕

[@tatalomaia9878]

Hello, I'm 26 years old. My problem has started about 2 years ago. I cought cold while travelling. In a month, I suddenly felt like a very strong chemical smell. I asked my friends in the room, if they could smell it too. Appearantly I was the only one who felt it. Time to time this terrible feeling has increased and now, I'm suffering with this extremly unpleasant smells. It's like burnt rubber or chemicals, something sweet but unpleasant. It only dissapears when I fall asleep or if I cry. I've lost -7kg, can't eat, always annoyed and feel very depressed. I often think to kill myself because I can't stand it anymore. In my country, doctors can't diagnose what it is. But when I searched my symptoms it looked like phantosmia. Doctor told me that I have Anosmia and I have to use Nasonex spray but it has no effect. I don't have Anosmia, I do have sense of smell, but at the same time I feel this terrible smells. Then I had surgery, because I had deviated septum and it was hindering demaged oflactory nerve to regenerate, doctor said. I saw your video about Phantosmia. I beg of you, please if you can give me some advice which spray or drug or something I should use, it doesn't matter. I'll do anything to be cured. Thank you in advcance

[@charlottebirgittethomsen4273]

Hope we get Better treatment s SOON its awfull 😥

[@utopiamia]

I have the same horrible and unbearable problem. Went through a few neurologists. Last one diagnosed me with focal epilepsy in the frontal temporal lobe. Im not convinced! Its not getting better!!! All my tests have not revealed anything. Its driving me crazyyy. My period makes it worse and stressful situations. Im im desperate search of a concrete answer.

[@meredithjones4552]

I have the same and my period makes it worse. It’s driving me bananas

[@justlhaimhel9210]

I experienced when I got covid last sept.2021 I always smelled like petroleum gas, it also hurts my chest and nose, it's been almost 1 year now that I've been experiencing it especially when I have a cough and cold.

[@FifthSenseUK]

Thank you for your comment and we are sorry to hear about your experience. Please email us at: [e-mail] and we can have a chat and see how we can support you.

[@prathimauday2810]

Please give some advice for my two girls who are suffering from parosmia. I consulted three-four ENT doctors, but they could not recognise it.Could you recommend the management and practices.

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hey there, thank you for contacting Fifth Sense and we are sorry to hear about how parosmia is affecting your children. If you could please contact us directly at [e-mail] we will be able to see how best to support you.

[@patcomyns4326]

I had a bad viral infection just before covid. I didn’t loose my sense of smell. Since then I have had sulphur and mainly cooking and roast meat. If I think of something, I often smell it. At the moment I have a nasty yellow green smell ( I put colour and shape to many unknown aspects of my daily life). This smell is the worst, I don’t taste it and I can’t smell it from my cupped hand, maybe it’s in my mind, I just don’t know.

[@addyayee]

the way u describe the smell is SO ACCURATELY HOW I SEE THE SMELL I SMELL TOO! like this very nasty bitter looking green yellow colour🤢 i smell tht especially strong on top of this sweet scent body wash we have. also i think u might have phantosmia if u think the smell might not be real, look it up. _(i know i have parosmia and nit phantosmia bcs i've experienced this since little, difference from back then and now is only that i smell worse things and they dont gi away anymore like they did when i was a child.)_

[@user-et6se3hl1v]

I smell a gas exhaust mixture. But if I put my shirt over my nose the smell would leave, remove my shirt and smell would resume a little bit later. I also try a little Vicks vapor on my upper lip, seems to work.

[@FifthSenseUK]

Thanks for sharing that tip B. I'm sure others will find it helpful.

[@bedtimesleepers9583]

I’ve been smelling and tasting smoke for about a week now.. I had COVID a few weeks ago and I think it messed up my olfactory system! Please help :)

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Jared, we are sorry to hear that you are experiencing these smell distortions. Please could you email Fifth Sense at [e-mail] , as this will make it easier to share information with you. Kind regards, The Fifth Sense Team

[@dilipsrivastava4460]

Hi , since last few weeks I have been having almost no taste in food &having disgusting smell from everything (except camphor and incense sticks like things)! This made me depressed &weak ! I m fully vaccinated No covid at all as I tested for it Any home remedies or medication? Pls help me out

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi there, thank you for your comment. The best way for us to support you is if you email us directly at [e-mail] - Have you visited our website for information? www.fifthsense.org.uk/

[@topfilmclipz]

I smell old people, blood/iron/metal, and cotton candy

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Tina, thank you for your comment - if you would like some information and support please email us directly at [e-mail]

[@elizabethtrahan3923]

I have cacosmia and I don't know what to do and it's been almost a year. I had Covid in Oct of 2022 and I was told that if it doesn't come back in a year to get an MRI by my ENT but that will cost me a lot of money. Is that even worth it?

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi @elizabethtrahan3923 please email our team at: [e-mail] so we can provide tailored support. Thank you, Mags Fifth Sense Team

[@carlgreene538]

I can smell cigarette smoke and have a horrible taste in my mouth.

[@FifthSenseUK]

Hi Carl, if you would like to speak to someone about the distortion in your sense of smell - please contact us at: [e-mail]

[@carlgreene538]

@@FifthSenseUK I have tried but these days GP's just don't want to know.