Smelling things that aren't there

[Betty]

Very odd. I'm sitting here at my desk at work - which is a furniture showroom. I'm by myself. There is no one else on the same floor that I'm in.

About 1/2 hour ago I smelled bubble-gum so strong I got up and looked around to find out who was lurking. No one.

Then about 5 minutes ago I smelled toast.

The bubblegum smell went away as soon as I got up and looked around. The toast smell lasted about 20-30 seconds or so.

These aren't just vague smells but very strong ones.

Has this ever happened to you?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Olfactory hallucination (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucination#Olfactory)

[Moonliner]

No.

Here's what Wiki says on the matter.


Phantosmia is the phenomenon of smelling odors that aren't really present. The most common odors are unpleasant smells such as rotting flesh, vomit, urine, feces, smoke, or others. Phantosmia often results from damage to the nervous tissue in the olfactory system. The damage can be caused by viral infection, brain tumor, trauma, surgery, and possibly exposure to toxins or drugs.[8] Phantosmia can also be induced by epilepsy affecting the olfactory cortex and is also thought to possibly have psychiatric origins.[citation needed] Phantosmia is different from parosmia, in which a smell is actually present, but perceived differently from its usual smell.

Olfactory hallucinations have also been reported in migraine, although the frequency of such hallucinations is unclear




Edited to add: Damn You.

[Tref]

Could it have been this guy?

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z1/Tref_foto/images.jpg

[JWBear]

Or a bubble gum chewing toast eating ghost?

[Gemini Cricket]

It's the ghost of Bazooka Joe's missing eye.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Maybe it was someone testing out this (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/wacky/willy-wonka-gum-possible-says-professor/story-e6frev20-1225941289782). Let us know if you next smell coffee, eggs, sausages, hash browns, or OJ.

Actually, if you smell OJ, GET OUT OF THE BUILDING!!!!

[Gn2Dlnd]

Wait a minute. This isn't some kind of viral marketing thing for Tom and Heidi's show, is it? Damn you people and your clever internet schemes!

[Not Afraid]

I'm going with ghosts.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I've often heard that if you consistently smell something burning for no good reason, you should see a doctor...

[RStar]

I hope you didn't smell burnt feathers. I hear baaaad things about that one!:eek:

[Ghoulish Delight]

I've often heard that if you consistently smell something burning for no good reason, you should see a doctor...
I'd say start with the fire department. Then dr.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Makes me think of the phenomenon that happened in New York, where everyone was smelling maple syrup (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5145QH20090205). 30 Rock did a funny bit about it.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Didn't we have a funny smells thread awhile back? I still smell vinegar potato chips at the 101S/5 transition.

[Betty]

Well - It didn't happen anymore todya. The smells weren't unpleasent... but it WAS ODD!

Hallucinating smells is an interesting thing to think about actually.