How come you can sometimes smell something that just isn't there?!


Question: Hi,
To expand the question: I sometimes can smell things that i remember, like how my boyfriend smells or some specific food i havent eaten in years! But the feeling is so strong as if the product/thing was just there! How come my nose can "fake" those kind of smells?


Answers: Hi,
To expand the question: I sometimes can smell things that i remember, like how my boyfriend smells or some specific food i havent eaten in years! But the feeling is so strong as if the product/thing was just there! How come my nose can "fake" those kind of smells?

it's called a phantom smell.

it's linked to schizophrenia. (don't worry - it's not what it sounds)

'smell memory'
Think of it as your brain playing tricks on you =)

........it's called, scented booger!



Ok, I'll give you my scientific explanation so I won't sound damn. You're having phantom smells.

This symptom, which is known to doctors as an "olfactory hallucination," can be worrisome. Olfactory hallucinations are occasionally a symptom of a brain tumor, so you need to bring this problem to the attention of a neurologist asap. Olfactory hallucinations may also be a symptom of epilepsy; once again, you would be best served by consulting with a neurologist.

it's not your nose, it's your brains wiring. same as sometimes you think you can actually hear a song, and it's not playing.

but i do have one pc of info for you. if you smell something, and hours later, you still smell it, but your not near the smell..did you know that the smell can actually get trapped in the hairs?

dad read that one on a discovery channel or sumthing.

so take time and smell the flowers, but be ware of foul odors! they can linger...

it is called memory+imagination. the brain stores events, thoughts and smells among others. sometimes the brain plays trick with us and make us believe that you smell something or even see something.

i get that too, sometimes i could smell cigarette smoke when no one smokes in my family.
I guess your brain would remember that smell and when you think of it, i guess it sends a message down to your nose so you can remember how it smells without it actually being there again, i guess.

It could be a subconcious thing motivated by your desire to smell whatever product or thing you're thinking about. Just like when you think of a face, it's not in front of you, but you can see it in full detial in your mind.





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