There have been quite a few posts on the Thyroid UK forum on HealthUnlocked over the years about phantosmia - getting the sensation of a smell when it doesn't really exist. All too often, the reported smell is some sort of burning, maybe like an overheating electricity plug/socket, often tobacco, sometimes petrol, but can be anything.
There is such a variety of smells and the words used to describe them, and even the sensory words "smell", "odour", "reek", a simple search simply doesn't find that many posts. Which is why I created this blog to help find relevant posts.
From personal experience, I used to be convinced I could smell someone smoking in circumstances where it was impossible!
Fifth Sense is a UK organisation which offers specific support:
Based in the UK, we support people affected by smell and taste disorders across the world and are the first charity providing direct support, advice and a signpost to potential diagnosis and treatment to people affected by such conditions.
https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/
This blog is not a diagnostic guide. Other disorders can also cause phantosmia. For example, this quote from the Pernicious Anaemia Society - which causes an inability to absorb and process vitamin B12 in the usual way.
Loss of taste or smell – Especially frustrating if you enjoy good food. There is also documented evidence of olfactory hallucinations for B12 deficient patients, i.e., smelling smells (usually unpleasant) that aren’t actually there (medically called phantosmia).
Here are a few previous posts - but there will be others. I try to keep adding when new posts on the subject are posted. You will find many cross-references between posts.
I am sooo confused I feel I am abnormal
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/131860241/i-am-sooo-confused-i-feel-i-am-abnormal
For the last three days all I can smell is petrol when I'm no where near any no matter what I do does anyone know
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/131606025/for-the-last-three-days-all-i-can-smell-is-petrol-when-im-no-where-near-any-no-matter-what-i-do-does-anyone-know
An odd question I know but has anyone else experienced smelling cigarette smoke when none is present?
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/131086350/an-odd-question-i-know-but-has-anyone-else-experienced-smelling-cigarette-smoke-when-none-is-present
Hi has anyone else experienced an awful smell of ammonia in nose after walking exc and then feel as if you have run a marathon ? I
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/private/130926683/hi-has-anyone-else-experienced-an-awful-smell-of-ammonia-in-nose-after-walking-exc-and-then-feel-as-if-you-have-run-a-marathon-i
Woken by strong sweet cloying smell but no one else can smell it
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/130697766/woken-by-strong-sweet-cloying-smell-but-no-one-else-can-smell-it
All I can smell is petrol!
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/130133190/all-i-can-smell-is-petrol
Horrible burning wood smell in my nose
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/138483057/horrible-burning-wood-smell-in-my-nose
I can smell lavender when not wearing or being near it, should I worry
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/135518560/i-can-smell-lavender-when-not-wearing-or-being-near-it-should-i-worry
Getting the smell of petrol Everytime I breath
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/136297534/getting-the-smell-of-petrol-everytime-i-breath
Is it my thyroid?
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/137696457/is-it-my-thyroid
Confused
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/135682218/confused
Burning smell, heel pain & weight loss
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/private/143608818/burning-smell-heel-pain-weight-loss
Smelling Smoke
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/135223606/smelling-smoke
I stink
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/140409659/i-stink
Prednisolone, levothyroxine and taking it with food
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/142739887/prednisolone-levothyroxine-and-taking-it-with-food
THYROID AND MENOPAUSE TOGETHER.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/679515/thyroid-and-menopause-together.
Phantom smells
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/144726161/phantom-smells
Phantom smells...?
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/private/146592645/phantom-smells
I keep smelling burning paper.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/146707369/i-keep-smelling-burning-paper.
Phantom tastes and mouth problems
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/private/147334249/phantom-tastes-and-mouth-problems
Can anybody shed some light on phantosmia and relation to hypothyroidism
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/148041878/can-anybody-shed-some-light-on-phantosmia-and-relation-to-hypothyroidism
I’m new to this wonderful group and seeking some answers! Could Levothyroxine leave you with taste and smell issues?
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/148288882/i%E2%80%99m-new-to-this-wonderful-group-and-seeking-some-answers-could-levothyroxine-leave-you-with-taste-and-smell-issues
Phantom cigarette smoke
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/148725432/phantom-cigarette-smoke
Ammonia smell in my nose.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/149080947/ammonia-smell-in-my-nose.
Been smelling smoke for a week after bonfire.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/149795418/been-smelling-smoke-for-a-week-after-bonfire.
Saw a post on here talking about imaginary smells some time ago. Off course can’t find it now.
Phantom Smells
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/150650593/phantom-smells
strange smells with sinusitis/ nasal drip..?
Hands smell of petrol.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/151711095/hands-smell-of-petrol.
Strange smells
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/151980528/strange-smells
Further information
The following link searches EuropePMC for papers which mention "phantosmia" - and should find several hundred papers:
https://europepmc.org/search?query=phantosmia
If you wish to link to this page on HealthUnlocked, copy the entire dark red text below and paste into a post or reply.
[i][b]helvella - Phantosmia or Phantom smells[/b]
This blog has links to many previous posts on this subject - but there will be others. I try to keep adding when new posts on the subject are posted. You will find many cross-references between posts.
Last updated 19/07/2025[/i]
https://helvella.blogspot.com/p/helvella-phantosmia-or-phantom-smells.html
If you find anything incorrect, misleading, typos, links that don’t work, etc., please let me know. Go to my profile and use the contact details there.
