‘Phantom Odors’ Not Uncommon in Those Over 40

A new study reveals that 1 in 15 Americans (6.5 percent) over the age of 40 experiences phantom odors — smells that aren’t actually there.

As we age, our ability to identify odors tends to decrease. Phantom odor perception, on the other hand, seems to increase with age. In a previous Swedish study, for example, researchers found that 4.9 percent of people over the age of 60 experienced phantom odors. It also found a higher prevalence in women than men.

The new study, published in the...

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