Experiencing a sweet smell like Juicy Fruit gum.

I get the juicy fruit gum smell intermittently for 12 days a year. It happens mostly in the spring. I have written to neurologists and other doctors who do sensory research and the best they can come up with is some sort of brain trauma.
This has happened to me for almost 13 years. There have been a couple of years in which it didn't happen, but I have no idea why. About 4 or 5 years ago I started counting the days that it existed and found that it usually goes away in 12 days just like clockwork! I know this is a weird one, but has anyone had the same phenomenon?
I posted this in the brain section also. I figured it might be due to some sort of ketosis although I have never had a diabetic problem.

Why do you suspect ketosis? I am curious about it. I’ve always suspected anxiety causing mine, as well as my mom’s.

My mom has had these phantom smells for most of her life and she’s 83. They vary in type and frequency. Her MRIs are always normal, but she has had depression and anxiety since early adulthood.

I first had phantom smell during a time of extreme stress after first being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes many years ago. It was intermittent for about 6 months and left. I then had a recurring intermittent smell of roast beef cooking only on a Sunday at a certain time for years. There was no roast beef. It then vanished. The last smell was an intermittent pleasant fabric softener smell that was for several months after covid and a very traumatic health period, but has gone. I may not get another one for years.

I was diagnosed with smell/taste disorder and post covid syndrome in November 2023 by ENT due to diminished smell/taste and bitter taste. Also evaluated by neurologist as was having tingling, fasciculations body wide. (MRI and EMG normal). No known cause, but I began talk therapy and it has helped greatly, though I still have lingering post covid symptoms.

I had never had lack of smell or taste disorder before covid. I have been doing scent retraining. This is my experience with it so far.

The breakdown of fat creates acetones. The smell is distinctly like juicyfruit gum. It can be a sign of ketoacidosis, which might be a warning of diabetes. When your body doesn't produce enough insulin to move sugar from your bloodstream the liver will breakdown fat.
Next time you could do blood work to to check glucose and keytones. You'd need to repeat the serum check again after two hours.
The pleasant order would be in your sweat, on your breath and in your urine.
On the other hand acetones are released by plants, including trees, volcanos, exhaust from cars cigarette smoke and landfills.

From that perspective the fruity smell can be the result of diabetic ketoacidosis. It is extremely high blood sugar and can be life threatening. Those of you who are experiencing fruity smells (coming from yourself, like your breath and body) should ask your medical provider at your earliest opportunity. At the very least, mention it at your next appointment.

Several years ago I started smelling cigarette smoke. Of course, when it happened at Starbucks, I assumed one of the baristas was sneaking a smoke in the back room. (I don't know about the rest of the U.S. but smoking is not allowed in any restaurants or coffee shops in California-thankfully) But then I would notice it in my own house. It wasn't constant and maybe a month would go by and I wouldn't smell it at all. A year ago I found out I had a meningioma close to my optic nerve and had to have it removed surgically. The meningioma had been growing, unbeknownst to me, for 5 years. After my craniotomy, I was told to let the doctor know if I smelled anything odd that no one else could smell. I was told that could be a sign of a brain seizure. Well, truth be told, I have had that cigarette smell maybe 4 or 5 times since my surgery 6 months ago. But I didn't mention it to my doctor as I figured I have had it over the course of 5 years anyway , way before my surgery, and was afraid the doctor may be too eager to put me back on anti-seizure meds which I took for a month after my surgery. Just as an aside, finding the meningioma was unexpected, incidental to another scan I was having. Three doctors told me many people have them and are unaware if they are not causing symptoms. I've often wondered if smelling cigarette smoke was the first sign of the meningioma. A totally unscientific theory.

Call your Doc. This could be
regrowth.

I haven't had any serious problems for several years except the smell for 12 days a year in the spring. A couple of years went by without it.

Thank you for your warning. I haven't had any serious problems for several years except the smell for 12 days a year in the spring. A couple of years went by without it.

Thank you for your post. I guess I meant ketoacidosis. However, I haven't had any serious problems for several years except the smell for 12 days a year in the spring. A couple of years went by without it.

It is a mystery. I’ve wondered about mine for years. I have no idea if ketoacidosis is involved. I had it once many years ago and was hospitalized. I didn’t have any sweet smells at the time, though.