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Can you explain to me the sense of smell?

Posted by smellg @smellg, Nov 1, 2022

I do not know what is the experince of smell is. To give you an example If i see feces I would not be bothered or feel that "disgust" reaction that I see most people get by just smelling.

I can "feel" (or smell?) mentol but thats it. I wouldnt be able to tell the difference between apple and orange blindfolded.

So can you explain what smell is and how i might i jump start mine?

Thanks

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Nov 1, 2022

Hello @smellg, Welcome to Connect. It's difficult for me to understand not being able to smell anything. It sounds like you may have a disorder called Anosmia. The second article below kind of lays out how the brain works with smell.

"Anosmia [ah-NOSE-mee-ah] is the complete inability to detect odors. In rare cases, someone may be born without a sense of smell, a condition called congenital anosmia."
-- Smell Disorders: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders#3

-- Making Sense of Scents: Smell and the Brain:
https://www.brainfacts.org/thinking-sensing-and-behaving/smell/2015/making-sense-of-scents-smell-and-the-brain
You mentioned that you can smell or feel menthol. That definitely opens my nose when use a menthol cough drop. Have you always not been able to smell odors? Have you been to a doctor to get a diagnosis or treatment?

REPLY
smellg | @smellg | Nov 1, 2022

Thank you for your reply John. Yes i think ive had it for a long time but ive never felt that I am missing something until i am dragged into a perfume shop or see friends communicating how a spot somewhere stinks.

I did go to a doctor once and their reply was we dont know.

REPLY
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