Smell training or olfactory training is the act of regularly sniffing or exposing oneself to robust aromas with the intention of regaining a sense of smell. The stimulating smells used are often selected from major smell categories, such as aromatic, flowery, fruity, and resinous. It is used as a rehabilitative therapy to help people who have anosmia  , a symptom of COVID-19. It was considered a promising experimental treatment in a 2017 meta-analysis. Efficacy Smell training likely achieves results because the olfactory nerve and olfactory bulb have neural plasticity and are able to regenerate. Along with olfactory implants, smell training is a promising but experimental treatment option. Critics have pointed to the small sample sizes in the studies and the potential for the observed improvements to have been the result of nerve regeneration that would have occurred without intervention as reason to be skeptical. Several individual studies have indicated that smell training can increase olfactory sensitivity. In   2017, the International and European Rhinologic Societies published a "Position paper on olfactory dysfunction", co-authored by over forty experts, which recommended smell training for treating loss of smell due to various conditions. In 2020, the British Rhinological Society published consensus guidelines for the treatment of smell loss due to COVID-19. Although no specific studies were available at that time, the expert panel made recommendations regarding treatment options and concluded that "olfactory training was recommended for all [COVID-19] patients with persistent loss of sense of smell of more than 2 weeks duration." In 2021 a meta-analysis was published that examined research studies of olfactory training for treating loss of smell as a consequence of a viral infection. It found clinically significant improvements and supported its use as a treatment option. As of March 2021, there have been no studies of smell training's efficacy for children .
Smell training or olfactory training is the act of regularly sniffing or exposing oneself to robust aromas with the intention of regaining a sense of smell. The stimulating smells used are often selected from major smell categories, such as aromatic, flowery, fruity, and resinous. It is used as a rehabilitative therapy to help people who have anosmia or post-viral olfactory dysfunction , a symptom of COVID-19. It was considered a promising experimental treatment in a 2017 meta-analysis. Efficacy Along with olfactory implants, smell training is a promising but experimental treatment option. Critics have pointed to the small sample sizes in the studies and the potential for the observed improvements to have been the result of nerve regeneration that would have occurred without intervention as reason to be skeptical. Several individual studies have indicated that smell training can increase olfactory sensitivity. In 2021 a meta-analysis was published that examined research studies of olfactory training for treating loss of smell as a consequence of a viral infection. It found clinically significant improvements and supported its use as a treatment option. As of March 2021, there have been no studies of smell training's efficacy for children. In 2017, the International and European Rhinologic Societies recommended smell training for treating loss of smell due to various conditions. In 2020, the British Rhinological Society published consensus guidelines for the treatment of smell loss due to COVID-19. Although no specific studies were available at that time, the expert panel made recommendations regarding treatment options and concluded that "olfactory training was recommended for all [COVID-19] patients with persistent loss of sense of smell of more than 2 weeks duration." Mechanism Smell training likely achieves results because the olfactory nerve and olfactory bulb have neural plasticity and are able to regenerate .
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or post-viral olfactory dysfunction
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Smell training likely achieves results because the olfactory nerve and olfactory bulb have neural plasticity and are able to regenerate.
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2021 a meta-analysis was published that examined research studies of olfactory training for treating loss of smell as a consequence of a viral infection. It found clinically significant improvements and supported its use as a treatment option. As of March 2021, there have been no studies of smell training's efficacy for children.
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In
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published a "Position paper on olfactory dysfunction", co-authored by over forty experts, which
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In 2021 a meta-analysis was published that examined research studies of olfactory training for treating loss of smell as a consequence of a viral infection. It found clinically significant improvements and supported its use as a treatment option.
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As of March 2021, there have been no studies of smell training's efficacy for children
Mechanism Smell training likely achieves results because the olfactory nerve and olfactory bulb have neural plasticity and are able to regenerate