Smell Training with Chris Kelly

In August 2016, Chris Kelly visited the Monell Center to speak with scientists and physicians about smell training, and conduct a workshop for recovering anosmics.
Chris lost her sense of smell in 2012, and credits smell training with helping to restore some of her olfactory world.
In this video, Chris presents a summary of the smell training workshop.
Chris's smell training technique is suitable for acquired anosmics, either viral or TBI, who have regained the ability to perceive some low level of odor. It will be most useful if you are able to say “this smell” is different from “that smell,” even if you can’t identify either odor.
Visit www.monell.org/research/anosmia for more information about Monell's anosmia research program.

[@ilovetabby26]

Thank you so much Chris Kelly for sharing this information! My son, 18, passed out seven weeks ago and hit the back of his head/neck which resulted in a mild spinal cord injury. Three weeks later he began having difficulties smelling any foods besides fruit. I hope this therapy will make a difference. Thanks again for posting!!

[@nothere890]

I lost my sense of smell due to Covid. I did this everyday for 2 weeks now and I finally have my smell back. I slowly started to regain it day by day. I also made sure to smell things and have a memory connected to it that helped enhance that smell in my mind while smelling it.

[@nothere890]

Thank you for this research and information. If anything it saves me from feeling anxious and depressed about loosing my smell and taste!! 👃💞💞💞

[@helenu1182]

Jazmin! Thanks for posting this! I too had my smell knocked out by covid and its been 3wks. I am depressed. I am going back to work next week and I do hair. Even smelling a stinky perm would be wonderful at this point! How long did your smell remain gone before you can smell anything? How long did it take for you to smell things consistently? How many times a day did you do this? And did you just use the basic essential oils or everything that she recommended like coffee grounds Etc?

[@nothere890]

@@helenu1182 Hello Helen! I am sorry to hear that and I know you will get better soon! Here is what I did: -I lost my smell for two weeks. I also could not taste. -I bought a three-pack of essential oils from Walmart online. I got one with eucalyptus, orange, and lemongrass. I got a separate rose one. I made sure to keep them out of the light. I would just dab the oils on a paper towel. Sometimes the paper towel with the essential oil on it would last till the next day. -It took me about two weeks to smell things consistently. -I would smell as follows: --- smell the eucalyptus first thing in the morning and at night before bed anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. ---- I would smell orange mid-day or after lunch. Sometimes I would eat an orange and smell the orange essential oil at the same time. I would pretend that I could taste the orange and smell it. 30 seconds to 2 min. ---- I then would place a bit of lemongrass on the collar of my shirt so I could smell it during the day. I seriously could not smell this one at all probably for the first two days. And then there was one day it was so overpowering that it made me sick. But I was so happy because I knew I was able to smell! ---- The rose I would smell randomly when I remembered. When I did I would recall memories of when I would smell roses before like when I was drinking a rose-lemonade with a friend. Or just smelling rose bushes. I love the rose smell. -I was drinking teas every morning and night made of boiled oranges, lime, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and sometimes garlic. Its supposedly filled with antioxidants and I don't know if this helped. I hope this helps and sorry that it was so long. FEEL BETTER SOONN

[@edwardse2000]

Good video. Very helpful.

[@mackfrmbly]

Hi, I have chronic sinusitis and lost the sense of smell almost completely. I am so depressed not able to concentrate on my work and life. Anything that comes in front of me I tried to smell and no signal goes to my mind. This is literally killing me daily. Aroma of the foods is no longer there, not being able enjoy the food. I am so young to loose it out. How can I regain it. Does it really work? I've got tea tree and clove oils, but can't smell the aroma of these oils.For how long should I do it. Please please anyone help me.... 🙏

[@eleanorwatkins3022]

I need help too. i lost mine 2 weeks ago.i am depressed.nothing work. Said i should have my dentist remove alll my crowns in my mouth full of infections?? no pain though...Help

[@NMeyer0]

Hi Mayank, Chronic rhinosinusitis smell loss can be reversed. You need to see an ENT. I've done a lot of reading on this and if the source of the inflammation can be removed, smell will almost always return. Have you been using steroid nasal sprays? Your doctor can also prescribe oral steroids for a few weeks. That almost always works. If it does, it is clear it is the infection causing the smell loss and there are many things which can be done.

[@ralphmatthewmiranda9531]

Mayank, how is it, I have chronic sinusitis also. How are you today?

[@24benjo]

What if you have 100% no sense of smell? How do you pick essential oils you like the smell of?

[@JanetKaiser]

When you train your sense of smell, will it help sense of taste? Anosmia is only one of many conditions linked to smell and taste. I'm looking for input if anyone affected or concerned with smell and/or taste issues feels like joining the sensory disorder support group (FB).

[@falloutman1843]

Does this work for hyposmics?

[@yogieprama2340]

greetings, where can i find those essential oils for smell training? is there any spesific store sell those essential oils specially for smell training or i can use any essential oils with any producer or any brand to start that smell training?

[@monellcenter4305]

Sorry, just saw this! Essential oils are widely available in health food stores and online, but it's fine to use everyday scents from your home, eg coffee beans, cloves, crayons, any scent that has meaning for you!

[@navinmuch]

Hello Mam, I am making a documentary on Anosmia awareness and need a small help from you. Is it possible for me to use few positions of this or some of your videos as part of my documentary? I have been doing research in this field for many years now and reaching out to many people and groups through different channel. Please let me know if this is fine. It would be a great help. Thank you !!

[@navinmuch]

@@LadyNoor22 Hi, yes I did complete the documentary on Anosmia last year. Please do watch and share your feedback: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4rPm6uwi9Z2obs

[@zzdoodzz]

I have partial loss, probably from a nasal infection. Some smells I have are completely gone like gas, methane, sulfur type smells, some of my smells are there but altered like smoke, and some of my smells are very close to how they used to be like lemon. I have done some smell training for a short while and noticed it helps, but plan on doing it on a more consistent basis as suggested by Chris. For someone that can still somewhat smell I can see this helping, but for those with a head injury that caused your loss and you have complete loss, I am not very certain if this would work. Thanks for the video.

[@ralphmatthewmiranda9531]

How are you today did your smell and taste cameback?

[@zzdoodzz]

@@ralphmatthewmiranda9531 It's been around 10 years since my smell loss, and still about the same. Everything is very reduced, I can smell some things but it's very brief, I can't take a deep pull on something. So no better. I tried a citric acid spray, as there was a study that it helped some people, but was no good for me. I hope all this smell loss from Covid brings on more study and interest in the subject.

[@lisatapp8465]

Where are the charts available for download?

[@JanetKaiser]

Presumably www.monell.org/research/anosmia for more information about Monell's anosmia research program.

[@lovetodocoolstuff9309]

Just lost my sense of smell due to an active Covid 19 infection 😭

[@JanetKaiser]

Sorry to hear that. What is the prognosis? Too soon to tell, I suppose, but I'm afraid it may be permanent going on my experience of loss following a viral infection. :(

[@joepellone2604]

My sense of smell goes almost totally and then comes back partially 1-2 months later only to go again after 1-2 months. Has anyone experienced this periodic loss of smell and how did you overcome it?

[@clickbaitllcclickbaitllc4396]

Joe Pellone I lost my sense of smell completely for over a month after a prolonged sinus infection. I researched and came across smell training sniffing eucalyptus oil, cloves and lemon. Also I irrigated my nose using about 50cl lukewarm (bottled water to prevent infection) and a level table spoon of salt and a drop of eucalyptus oil. I did this every morning irrigating my nose and also making sure I sucked the water down my throat from my nose. The first time I notice my sense of smell come back was when I was bent downwards and I could smell, it was wonderful but lasted only some minutes. When I noticed this trend the next time I was bent downwards to pick something from under my chair, I realized that the trick was to bend downwards to allow blood flow to my nose. I did it deliberately the third time and started retraining my sense of smell by sniffing eucalyptus oil, cloves and my perfume, these, fingers crossed should make it permanent. I decided to share this because of the frustration I felt not being able to smell also, I couldn't taste anything apart from sugar and salt and lost interest in eating. I was always afraid there would be a gas leak and I won't smell it. I have come to appreciate the gift of smell, it's like seeing in colors! Hope this helps someone out there Looking back, I think exercise might help, something to keep the blood flowing

[@joepellone2604]

@@clickbaitllcclickbaitllc4396 Thank you for sharing your experience and the tips. My sense of smell has now returned but I will try your suggestions when I start to lose it again.

[@Damremont18]

I'd imagine that knowing whether or not the scents you are presented with are registering in your brain could be confirmed by taking a simultaneous brain scan. I have been anosmic for roughly five years. I am not terribly disturbed by it, but I would like to smell food again. I don't think there is a great interesting in solving this problem. There is a great sense of "0h well. Too bad. Sucks to be you." Therefore it goes unnoticed. As a sense, you can do without a sense of smell in most jobs, unless of course, you're a food critic, or a chef, or a perfume tester. I really miss it though.

[@valerielundquist7004]

Hello. I lost my sense of smell in a road accident when I was 18. That was about 40 years ago. I can taste. Any chance this would work for me. I really miss being able to smell. It does have some advantages lols. Never bothered me to change a nappy. On the other hand the disadvantage was that going to work and people complaining about a bad smell. Always concerned it might be me causing it....... perhaps by treading in something nasty in the street.

[@monellcenter4305]

Hi Valerie - sorry to learn about your smell loss. Smell training works best for those who have some sense of smell, even if only a little bit. You may want to reach out to Chris directly, with via her webpage, www.smelltraining.co.uk/ or her FB group page, facebook.com/groups/smelltraining/.

[@valerielundquist7004]

Thank you MonellCentre for you reply. I will take your advice.

[@travelgypsytinkeringhack777]

Volume was a always bad

[@sharojavasavan6524]

Hmm i almost forgot what smells how as i cant smell anything for a long long time can say years im already depressed feel sad when anyone asks me to smell anything i just imagine what it smells like when i used to be able to smell once upon a time

[@yosrahamid7252]

I love coffee and i miss the smell of coffee in the morning

[@barbarajcogar]

False hope

[@raphaeljasi5517]

Barbara Cogar nothing for you till now? 😕

[@blueskies00]

You seem like a great lady. You put a lot of work and time in this, but OMG I had to keep skiping forward to get solition. How freaking frustrating. Make your speech brief and concise paleese