How to Smell Train

In 2009, Professor Hummel published a study at the University of Dresden, where he proposed olfactory training using four odour objects. To date, it is still the only scientifically backed method of encouraging recovery of smell.

To carry out his research, Professor Hummel chose four odourants based on the categories floral, spice, herbal and fruity.

This method was further refined by Chrissi Kelly of AbScent and CKOS by gathering feedback from a patient group, identifying the best method of smell delivery and the importance of mindfulness in the process to connect the scent to the higher parts of the brain in order to aid recognition. Scent Recover is proud to be the CKOS recommended smell training kit provider.

Over time, subsequent studies have included people who had lost their sense of smell after a head injury, and after a respiratory tract infection. Studies have included people from a range of different age groups. Study results are consistent; participants who used olfactory training for 4 months or more perform better on objective smell tests than control groups who did not.

Not everyone will find success with this method, but those who have benefitted from the smell-training technique have reported that they began to detect other scents in the environment, rather than just their smell training materials. And some sufferers who thought their sense of smell was completely defunct were able to smell the essential oils.