Smelling things that aren't there

Betty · 10-20-2010, 01:52 PM

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 · 10-20-2010, 01:56 PM

Olfactory hallucination

Moonliner · 10-20-2010, 01:58 PM

No.

Here's what Wiki says on the matter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiki

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 · 10-20-2010, 02:00 PM

Could it have been this guy?

JWBear · 10-20-2010, 02:08 PM

Or a bubble gum chewing toast eating ghost?

Gemini Cricket · 10-20-2010, 02:13 PM

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

Gn2Dlnd · 10-20-2010, 02:41 PM

Maybe it was someone testing out this. 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 · 10-20-2010, 02:45 PM

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 · 10-20-2010, 03:04 PM

I'm going with ghosts.

Cadaverous Pallor · 10-20-2010, 03:21 PM

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

10-20-2010, 01:52 PM	#1
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	Smelling things that aren't there 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? __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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10-20-2010, 01:56 PM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Olfactory hallucination __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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10-20-2010, 02:00 PM	#4
Tref Not Tref Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,188	Could it have been this guy? __________________ Tref3.0 Listen in aural 3-D to Pop's muzak! (New songs added semi-bi-daily) j & j Did you know that Emas eht yltcaxe is exactly the same spelled backwards?!
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10-20-2010, 02:08 PM	#5
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	Or a bubble gum chewing toast eating ghost? __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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10-20-2010, 02:13 PM	#6
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	It's the ghost of Bazooka Joe's missing eye.
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10-20-2010, 02:41 PM	#7
Gn2Dlnd Parmmadore Jim Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Casita del Queso Posts: 3,810	Maybe it was someone testing out this. Let us know if you next smell coffee, eggs, sausages, hash browns, or OJ. Actually, if you smell OJ, GET OUT OF THE BUILDING!!!! __________________ Does anyone still wear a hat?
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10-20-2010, 02:45 PM	#8
Gn2Dlnd Parmmadore Jim Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Casita del Queso Posts: 3,810	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! __________________ Does anyone still wear a hat?
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10-20-2010, 03:04 PM	#9
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I'm going with ghosts.
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10-20-2010, 03:21 PM	#10
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	I've often heard that if you consistently smell something burning for no good reason, you should see a doctor... __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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