Phantom Odors?

Is ‘phantom odor’ a real thing, or does something smell a bit fishy?

I know it might sound like a peculiar superhero name, but ‘phantom odor’ is actually a real thing, where individuals perceive odors in the absence of an external stimulus. There is nothing to smell, but they smell something anyway – usually odors described as foul, rotten or chemical.

As many as 1 out of 20 people experience phantom odors, with little knowledge of the true cause. So, these researchers set out to find the factors associated with phantom odors in a large sample of nearly 7,500 adults 40 years and older.¹
They confirmed that about 1 out of 20 people experience phantom odors, and it appeared to be higher in women (9%) than men (5%) - almost double the rate.

The percentage experiencing phantom odors was also higher in those with fair or poor health… current smokers… having a previous head injury… or nasal congestion… persistent cold/flu… or those with persistent dry mouth in the past year having 3 times the prevalence.

So, phantom odors are real thing in about 5-6% of the population.

If not a superhero, perhaps a professional wrestler? Perhaps, he can smell what the Rock is not cooking.

References

1. Bainbridge, K. E., Byrd-Clark, D., & Leopold, D. (2018). Factors associated with phantom odor perception among US adults: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2018.1446
2. Title Image. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:I_Dont_Know_What_to_Call_This..._(8455760157).jpg
3. Superhero. https://www.vecteezy.com/ Free Vector Graphics by www.vecteezy.com
4. Wrestler. https://www.vecteezy.com Illustration credit: www.vecteezy.com