Smelling doughnuts...

[BostonAnnie1983]

I keep smelling doughnuts. I was wondering if this is a symptom of some type of disorder.

The smell will just come to me randomly for about 2-3 seconds and then disappear. This has happened a few times a day for the past four or five days. There are no doughnuts near me (I rarely eat sweets, let alone keep them in my house) and I'm not near any shop or home that would be producing the smell.

I don't have any conditions I'm aware of, besides IBS. I eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of water, etc.

What could the problem be?

[don_campbell]

I remember discussing this very thing back when i was in school in science class. Your brain sometimes misfires its communications to the body.If i remember correctly its called a synapses overload. Its nothing harmfull everyone has it happen now and then. I smell a perfume from when i was a child but i cant remember who wore it, i just remember the smell.

[XxsugarushXD]

I also had this effect too but in school, while going to my next class I smelt a perfume that was sweet and also a rememberable smell but thing is no one was near me, i also smelled candy in the classroom when nobody had candy, and now since im home, im smelling white, powdered sugar donuts. and a little bit orange juice when I dont have any donuts or sweet things and even juice. I told my mom and my sister about this, and they think im joking

[Melissa922]

So you probably won't see this as you asked 11 years ago but I am experiencing this all day today and it is freaking me out. Did it go away for you?

[GuitarRox]

You smell donuts or another odor? There is something called "Phantosmia". It's an actual disorder where you smell things that aren't there. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24799-phantosmia   There are usually reasons behind it. They include
    Colds.
    Sinus infections.
    Upper respiratory infections.
    Allergies.
    Nasal polyps.
    Migraines.
    Taking certain medications.
    Exposure to toxic chemicals, such as mercury or lead.
    Dental issues, such as gum disease or dry mouth.
    Smoking.

I had it after covid 19 for a full year. And for me, it wasn't doughnuts, it was a smell of chemicals and burning. It was super annoying and unpleasant. There are more serious things that can be the reason behind it too but I'd guess it is more on the already given list.

There ARE treatments for it. Some easy at home ones are nasal irrigation (use distilled water only!!) and nasal sprays.

How long has this been going on for you?

[margypops]

I smell smoke ...yet no one is smoking anywhere near me

[loca636]

Your lucky your smelling something sweet than something nasty. LUCKY XD. But no you do not have a problem, but this is quite interesting, it could be that you think about something sweet like doughnuts and somehow can recall the smell like a mind trick.