Imagine life without smell
Anosmia is the clinical term that describes the loss of smell.
We humans love to communicate, and smell is a surprisingly huge factor in fostering human connection. Imagine not being able to smell your own children, smoke from a fire, or your grandmother’s apple pie. While it’s not something we think about often, our sense of smell is directly related to how we experience and interact with the world around us. The loss of smell can greatly diminish our quality of life.
Did You Know
Anosmia is considered an invisible disability.
72%
are scared of being exposed to danger
47%
report feeling isolated
72%
report a change in perception of their own body odor
46%
report feeling more vulnerable
66%
feel more anxious than when they could smell
38%
report that it has affected their romantic relationship
64%
report their enjoyment of food has decreased
36%
lose motivation to eat
50%
report their condition makes them feel angry
32%
report decreased enjoyment of intimacy
725 people with smell loss surveyed in Keller & Malaspina, 2013.
how anosmia affects
Emotions
emotions
Danger
Danger
Self-Worth
Self-Worth
Life-style
Life-style
Intimacy
Intimacy
the most common causes of anosmia

15-29%
Nasal Sinus Disease

14-26%
Prior Upper Respiratory Infections

10-19%
Head Trauma

3-4%
Inborn or acquired in early infancy

60%
of people age 80+ report some smell loss
Other causes include Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases
for as many as 10-24% of people, the cause for their smell loss cannot be determined.