Some of the more common signs and symptoms caused by brain tumors include the following: Other possible signs and symptoms can include abnormal eye movements, trouble swallowing, trouble walking, weakness or drooping of one side of the face, loss of appetite or weight loss, and slurred speech. The term for this type of olfactory hallucination is dysosmia. Some of the more common signs and symptoms caused by brain tumors include the following: Headaches Seizures Difficulty thinking, speaking, or finding words Changes in personality or behavior Weakness, numbness, or loss of movement in one part or one side of the body Difficulty with balance or dizziness Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. Market data provided by Factset. While smelling burnt toast in particular is not diagnostic, smelling something that isn't there can. had ct scan 2 years ago for phantom smells. He couldnt retaliate because the attack, In international format, the UK mobile phone number 07911 123456 is 44 7911 123456, so there is no first zero. When their smell is impaired, some people change their eating habits. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, healthcare professionals assign a grade to tumors depending on how abnormal the cells they contain are. The vast majority of phantosmia cases are NOT a brain tumor. They may differ depending on the type, location in the brain, and the stage of the tumor. In the brain stem dizziness, unsteady and uncoordinated walking, facial weakness, double vision or difficulty with speech and swallowing. Rigbys brain tumor journey began in 2015 when her first symptoms started to show. When they rupture, they can cause a stroke. Dietician, 33, Thought She Was Suffering From Baby Brain. It Turned Out To Be Brain Cancer, My Little Boy Literally Saved My Life Says 28-Year-Old Mom Her Painful Migraines After Birth Turned Out To A Brain Tumor, 49-Year-Old Dad Told His Dizziness And Vomiting Was The Result Of An Insect Bite. Headaches are usually dull and constant, with throbbing at times. Phantosmia: What causes olfactory hallucinations? Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Many of the symptoms overlap with those of other causes, and may signal another health condition. Legal Statement. Smoking. A tumour in this area may cause: difficulty swallowing and speaking; unsteadiness and difficulty walking; double vision; Spinal cord tumour symptoms. It involves the cribriform plate, which is a bone between the eyes and located deep in the skull. Aside from COVID-19, other causes of phantosmia range from aging, certain medications, and sinusitis to head trauma, brain tumors, and Parkinson's disease. The symptoms can differ depending on the type, location, and stage of the tumor. : Your condition is called phantosmia. Smell Phantom Dirty Feet but Theres No Smelly Feet Around? Answers from hundreds of doctors about benign to serious symptoms. Have constant congestion, loss of smell/taste. If I get a CT scan for my sinuses will it also detect a brain tumor if I have one? Headaches are a common symptom but usually not the only symptom but some people. Symptoms of a tumor in the brain stem can include: The spinal cord is a long column of nerve tissue that begins at the end of the brain stem and down the center of the spine. So, were trying to get ahead of it and get the treatment done while she is well to see if we can slow it down or remove it completely, if were that lucky.. other information we have about you. Whitcroft KL, et al. And in fact, it could very well be a sinus related issue, such as a polyp in the nasal cavity. Another way for the brain to. Problems with the nose, such as sinusitis, or conditions of the nervous system or brain, including migraine, stroke, or schizophrenia can cause phantosmia. Smelling something that isn't there (phantosmia) can be caused by a brain tumor. Dysosmia can be treated with normal saline nose drops administered with the head lowered (the top of the head should be pointing to the floor). How to get smoke cigarettes smell out of the House? Keep in mind that brain tumors are relatively rare compared to most other disorders, so the primary care doctor is not usually going to be thinking it is a brain tumor. The brain is an awesome organ!! All rights reserved. One of the signs of COVID-19 disease is a loss of taste and smell. The best thing you can do is be vigilant about your health and have a positive outlook about your treatments. I smell smoke all the time. Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma multiforme, is an aggressive form of brain cancer. Personality changes. If we combine this information with your protected My MRI says it is clear, but I am still worried as I ma having odd symptoms. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Warning signs of brain tumor symptoms in women include nipple discharge, excessive body hair, and lack of menstruation apart from the above symptoms. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency. This is smelling something foul when nothing is around to actually be causing the odor. Get answers from Cytopathologists and top U.S. doctors, Our doctors evaluate, diagnose, prescribe, order lab tests, and recommend follow-up care. Headaches, seizures, and difficulty thinking and/or speaking are some of the most common symptoms. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which What is the medical term that means tumor composed of lymph vessels? Consult your physician before beginning any exercise or therapy program. Sixty-four percent of the time, the doctor thought it was NOT a brain tumor when respondents first went to the doctor. My eye exam and sinus CT do not show anything? Brain Tumor, Head Trauma, or Exposure to Neurotoxins These conditions can cause damage to the olfactory bulb, or to . Options may include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy to remove or shrink the tumor. They may differ depending on the type, location in the brain, and the stage of the tumor. Olfactory neuroblastoma is a cancer that begins in the nerves that affect your sense of smell. now constant smell of smoke x2 days. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy. I'm unaware of research on how to treat this but some have success with, Myth, or no myth, it warrants further investigation. Brain tumor symptoms are similar regardless of whether they are cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). It may be toast, garbage or an odour you cannot describe. Some brain tumors can cause olfactory (smell) delusions or hallucinations and these can be manifest as almost any odor. A sense of change Brain tumors can cause seizures, but not just the types that cause you to lose consciousness and convulse. You are not dead just because youve been diagnosed with a glioblastoma, he said. Ringing in the ears and dizziness can occur with some brain tumors, although these are usually indirect symptoms. When a cancer starts specifically in the nerves that affect your sense of smell, it is known as olfactory neuroblastoma. A blockage or bleed in the brain stem can, Brain aneurysms affect 35% of people in the U.S. during their lifetime. A United Kingdom woman who experienced so-called phantom smells that resembled burnt toast was later diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Register, Grandma, 60, Kept Smelling Weird Burning Smells And Was Told By Doctors It Was Menopause: It Turned Out To Be Cancer, It did go on for quite a while, probably about a year, having strange symptoms. Legal Statement. Phantosmia can occur as a result of a respiratory infection or a head injury. Find more COVID-19 testing locations on Maryland.gov. I think that the modified poliovirus is going to be a game-changer in glioblastoma but I should also say that its reach is now extending into melanoma soon to bladder cancer.. It Turned Out To Be Brain Cancer, 'My Little Boy Literally Saved My Life' Says 28-Year-Old Mom'-- Her 'Painful Migraines' After Birth Turned Out To A Brain Tumor, Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), RELATED: Fans Send Prayers, Love, Support To Atlanta News Anchor Jovita Moore Who Was Diagnosed with Glioblastoma, An Aggressive Brain Cancer, brain tumors account for 85 to 90 percent of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, Fighting Brain Cancer With Electric Fields, Using Polio & Immunotherapy to Fight Brain Tumors. The standard of care treatment for someone with GBM usually consists of a surgical resection followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. It's a term used to describe olfactory hallucinations -- that. This happens because the tumour prevents that part of the brain from working normally. In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. Her positivity throughout has been absolutely amazing and she has never complained or played a victim or anything like that, Lea said of her brave mother. A primary brain tumor results from a genetic mutation in certain nerve cells in the brain (neurons) that causes them to grow too quickly. Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer. People should contact a doctor if they experience any of the symptoms listed above. I had a really vivid dream about having a blood clot in my brain the other night and now I'm scared. All text is copyright property of this site's authors. The cyst and nodule were removed with an electrical loop and the tumor treated with fulguration. I advise having, re-evaluate. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. If the smell of smoke occurs suddenly and continues for less than a few minutes, the site of origin is likely the smell region of the inner temporal lobe of the brain, called the uncus. Phantosmia can be caused by a head injury or an upper respiratory infection. This may be the result of: a disease affecting the nervous system, such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease a stroke a head injury cancer - usually a brain tumour or neuroblastoma Hi there, I am 36 years old. It could be a sign of epilepsy, when a seizure occurs in a part of the. The content on this site is meant for information and guidance only, not for diagnosing or treating medical conditions. She is doing really well now but we just dont know how long for, Lea said. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with help? 4th ed. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. The cigarette smoke that you sometimes smell may be actual smoke coming through an open window as a neighbor walks by outside with his cigarette. Or maybe it was burning rubber smell, idk id get that looked at. All rights reserved. Phantosmia is also called a phantom smell or an olfactory hallucination. Meningiomas are rare in children and most common in females over the age of 60 years. It can also be caused by aging, trauma, temporal lobe seizures, inflamed sinuses, brain tumors, certain medications and Parkinson's disease. tingling or stiffness on one side of the body, headache episodes, which may be more intense in the morning, vision problems due to a swollen optic nerve, persistent headache episodes, particularly if the person has no history of severe headache episodes, headache episodes that increase in intensity over time, headache episodes that are worse in the morning, headache episodes that wake a person up from sleep, numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs, weakness, numbness, or tingling in one side of the body, conduct tests to check balance, vision, and coordination. What Are Tumor Treating Fields For Cancer Treatment? The smells can be present all of the time, or they can come and go. The headache may be worse in the morning or get worse when you cough, sneeze or bend down. 2 doctor answers 4 doctors weighed in Share An estimated 40 to 50 percent of people experience such problems with smell and taste following a bout of COVID-19. "The key to a tumor's symptoms really depends on its location," says Theodore Schwartz, MD, a neurosurgeon with the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center. The cerebellum is located at the back part of the brain near the bottom of the head. A Later Scan Revealed A Brain Tumor, Steely Eyed TV Host Dan Abrams, 56, Is Now A Dad & Two Decades Past Testicular Cancer The Hope For Men Facing The Same Disease. But in fact, it can indicate a brain tumor in the part of our brain that controls our digestion. Some possible culprits include wood dust, flour, nickel and cadmium dust, glues, and formaldehyde and other solvents. Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition, Phantosmia - What causes olfactory hallucinations, Advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Phantosmia may be caused by a head injury or upper respiratory infection. A thorough evaluation for the mentioned causes may include an MRI of the olfactory system and a nasal endoscopy, in which an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician looks inside nasal and sinus passages with a magnified scope. Dysosmia is the term for this type of olfactory hallucination. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This content does not have an English version. (n.d.). But dont let that fool you. I didn't have anything in common with the others who were smelling smoke. Yasmin Clapp's scar from where the tumor was removed. Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Accessed May 23, 2022. information submitted for this request. Glioblastomas create pressure on the brain, and symptoms can include: Astrocytomas are brain tumors that grow from cells called astrocytes, which make up brain tissue. And though it technically has no cure, one of our experts says a diagnosis does NOT mean you are dead. She dismissed the smells, specifically, as a strange sensation until she began to experience them more frequently. Confusing conditions: Is it a brain tumor, migraine, or something else? 2020; doi:10.1001/jama.2020.8391. Phantosmia may be caused by a head injury or upper respiratory infection. I dont know how I did it but it went really well for me, she said. Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education. Its also known as olfactory hallucination. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The brain stem controls several vital body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. Getting CT scan for sinuses done in two weeks. The brain is usually not the source. We are vaccinating all eligible patients. I really didn't expect to find people suffering from the same thing I was experiencing. Wide local excision and medial maxillectomy are2 procedures that are commonly done. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. VAPING-LINKED DEATH PROBED IN OREGON, SYMPTOMS SIMILAR TO MORE THAN 200 CASES. Scarysymptoms.com will not be liable for damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this site. It can produce similar symptoms to those of a brain tumor. Please schedule an appointment with a neurologist. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Use this bar to access information about the steps in your cancer journey. Head and nose injuries, viral smell system damage after a bad cold, chronic recurrent sinus infections and allergies, and nasal polyps and tumors are all common causes of dysosmia. A right sided osteoplastic flap initially revealed a cyst tumor with a mural nodule that extended deeply into the brain tissue. The cerebrum has two sides the right and the left hemispheres that each control the opposite side of the body and each side is divided into four lobes with specific functions: the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe, the temporal lobe, and the occipital lobe. . Unfortunately with this type of brain cancer it can just change rapidly. If the smell of smoke occurs suddenly and continues for less than a few minutes, the site of origin is likely the smell region of the inner temporal lobe of the brain, called the uncus. Speech difficulties. had ct scan 2 years ago for phantom smells. Some are essential to make our site work properly, others perform functions more fully described in our PrivacyPolicy. If a seizure disorder is suspected, antiseizure medications may be used to prevent a seizure and thus eliminate the smell. Have rotten eggs, cig smoke smell. Lafreniere D. Taste and olfactory disorders in adults: Anatomy and etiology. The source could be an abnormal electrical discharge or "firing" in the brain (a seizure). They can provide valuable information about your general health, how other organs function, other medical conditions, and treatment risks. Is it true that Francis Ouimet made money? Flint PW, et al., eds. White vinegar cuts . Although lots of people think smelling something burning is a sign of a stroke, there's no solid evidence this is true. A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that may be benign, premalignant, or cancerous. Olfactory hallucinations are perceived abnormal smellsusually unpleasantthat are not actually present in the physical environment. Research has found that people who are exposed to harmful chemicals and particles through work or other means have an increased risk of developing nasal cavity cancers. What Causes Brain Tumors? It is responsible for higher executive functions like regulating emotions, planning, reasoning, and problem-solving. In some cases, chemotherapy may also be used to treat olfactory neuroblastoma. It controls involuntary and essential functions such as breathing and the beating of the heart. A complete lack of oxygen is called anoxia. Second, all spaces, dashes, and, All you need is your ignition key. In the nerve that controls hearing and balance (acoustic nerve) acoustic neuroma can cause hearing loss in one ear or in both ears. A Leading Brain Cancer Doctor Says No. What causes anosmia 1. Headaches, numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, seizures, memory problems, mood and personality changes, balance and walking issues, nausea and vomiting, or changes in speech, vision, or hearing are the most common symptoms. Turn, Honey, like other liquids, can be transported using Buckets or Pumps. Most of the time, a headache does not signal the presence of a brain tumor, and experiencing a headache by itself is typically not a cause for concern. Ouimet was an extravagantly wealthy, Copyright 2023 TipsFolder.com | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. Issues swallowing. They can come from a number of different areas of the smell system. Accessed May 23, 2022. Symptoms can include: The meninges are three layers of tissue that surround and protect the brain and the spinal cord. This may be the primary treatment or it might be used after surgery to reduce the chances of the cancer returning. These perceived abnormal smells are not actually present in the physical environment. Normally, we experience smell when the olfactory sensory neurons in the nose pick up an odor and then transmit a message to the brain, which identifies the odor. There are many different types of brain and spinal cord tumors. It processes sensation, generates thought, and controls conscious activity. What Are the Risk Factors? Talk to your health care provider if you have symptoms of phantosmia, so that they can rule out any serious underlying disorders that may be causing olfactory hallucination. Feeling very hungry and gaining weight. Glioblastoma is an aggressive form of brain cancer. By using our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Increased pressure can lead to general symptoms such as: Headache Nausea Vomiting Blurred vision Balance problems Personality or behavior changes Seizures Drowsiness or even coma Brain tumors that aren't cancerous tend to cause symptoms that develop slowly. Phantosmia can also result from COVID-19 infection. . Treatments that can change your sense of smell. Over the course of six months to a year, recurrences can gradually increase from monthly, weekly, and then daily. Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process. We'll send you our print magazine 6x per year! Our newsletter vital information, hope, and healing, delivered weekly. Symptoms A number of symptoms and warning signs can indicate olfactory neuroblastoma: Pain around the eyes Stuffiness or congestion that worsens or doesn't improve Blockage of the nose Nasal drainage in the throat (postnasal drip) Watery eyes Nosebleeds Pus from the nose Face or tooth numbness This pressure can be caused by tumor growth, swelling in the brain or blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF),according to the American Cancer Society. S/he will be able to advise you further, and provide a referral to see a neurologist, if that's needed. Cardiovascular health: Insomnia linked to greater risk of heart attack. The optic nerve isnt the only visible sign of a brain tumor. Smelling smoke (or, oddly, toast) that isnt there is also a type of migraine aura. The most common symptoms of this are headaches, feeling sick and vomiting. You should always consult with your doctor if any health problems arise. Smelling something that isn't there - a phenomenon known as phantosmia - can be a sign of a serious health problem. She was given a devastating prognosis, but Rigby has already beaten the odds. (SWNS). Alternately, brain tumors can also indirectly cause phantosmia by leading to possible seizures and strokes.. Symptoms of brain tumors, as a whole, are often caused by increased pressure in the skull. (2020). The right ventricle was small; the temporal horn was missing. Sinus infection (sinusitis). Experts believe the aura is caused by brain cells causing changes to the cells in the brain . Some types of surgery and radiotherapy to treat nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers damage the olfactory nerve cells. Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Olfactory neuroblastoma is a rare form of cancer. They can grow quickly and require more intensive treatment. Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Now the family is fundraising for alternative treatment and hoping to buy as much time with Rigby as they can. Answer (1 of 3): When you smell things that no one else smells can be a symptom of a lesion on the brain and be insignificant or as serious as a brain tumour. Reply Share React Janacoco Oct 1, 2017 2:44 AM Tobacco smoke may also be a contributing factor in developing an olfactory neuroblastoma. Is smelling smoke a sign of brain tumor? Click here to learn more. Symptoms of brain tumors are often caused by increased pressure in the skull. Then, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma (cancerous) four years later. In these instances, sense of smell for other odors is often impaired as well, and the results of smell testing typically are abnormal. A cause such as a brain tumor may involve surgery, as well as chemotherapy and radiation if the tumor is cancerous. Generally, brain tumours are graded from one to four, according to their behaviour, such as how fast they grow and how likely they are to grow back after treatment. http://chemse.Oxfordjournals.Org/content/27/7/611.Full. An olfactory hallucination (phantosmia) makes you detect smells that aren't really there in your environment. It may also improve with some medications, such as gabapentina medication normally used for seizure disorders but that has also been shown to prevent unpleasant odors arising from injured smell receptors or their nerve branches. To learn more, please visit our, Your condition is called phantosmia. Francis Ouimet, United States of America, 1913. They can be temporary or long-term. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of When brain tumors are very small, some people may not experience any symptoms or the symptoms are so minimal they dont notice them. What are the most common types of brain tumors? The perceived odors duration may also increase over time, often lasting for the better part of a day after a year. Dr. Sathi explains, People often report that the odor is unpleasant, such as burning, rotten or moldy smells. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. Would a brain MRI with and without contrast show any tumor of the sinuses and orbit? Hi doctors. What is the medical term that means tumor composed of lymph vessels? no other neuro symptoms. If smoking were shown to be a risk factor, it would constitute an important "proof of principle" that exogenous chemicals are capable of causing human brain tumours. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. General symptoms may include the following: Additionally, MD Anderson Cancer Center notes that changes in the ability to smell can be a sign of brain tumors, and, more specifically, strange smells can be a symptom of seizures which can result from brain tumors. The side effect also means she has to depend on her smoke alarm since she can't detect the actual smell of smoke. Our Brain is the commander-in-chief for all functions in the body and the center of the nervous system. Doctors were able to remove 98percent of the tumor, she told the outlet. In the occipital lobe problems with sight or losing part of your vision. If you suddenly experience any of the following symptoms, please call 911: While seizures may not require emergency medical attention, call 911 if one or more of the below are true: Some people with brain tumors experience general symptoms like headaches, seizures, and fatigue. Some of the most common symptoms of a brain tumor include: Primary brain tumors are tumors that begin in the brain. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. The survival rate over the course of ten years is around 31%. Strong odors, such as those in foods, are especially offending. Radiation therapy is also usuallypart of the treatment plan for olfactory neuroblastoma. Read about the possible causes of a headache with nausea here. Because tobacco smoking causes tumours at multiple sites, it is conceivable that smoking could affect brain tumour risk. Are phantom smells normal? Changes in intellect or memory problems. In the frontal lobe changes in personality or behaviour, uncoordinated walking or weakness on one side of the body. However, symptoms are subjective and can vary from person to person.. It can be caused by the size of the tumour, or because the tumour is blocking the flow of fluid in the brain. It is important to note, however, that these symptoms are not exclusive to brain tumors. It is the most complex and the fattiest organ made of billions of nerve cells, which connect and communicate through a vast and complex network of neurons throughout the body to coordinate several functions such as emotion, movement, sensation and various other aspects of physiology. For example, they may: If they locate a tumor in the brain, they may take a tissue sample, or biopsy, to find out what type it is. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? It is responsible for processing and interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, pressure, and pain. Headaches, which may not improve with the usual headache remedies, are common symptoms. no other neuro symptoms. These affect the nerves that connect the smell receptors to the brain. In March of 2018, Clapp underwent an awake craniotomy. The odors you notice in phantosmia are different from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). A variety of different scanning techniques are helpful in examining the nasal cavity. They grow from tissue covering the brain and spinal cord and create pressure on these areas. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Smelling cigarette smoke or something burning, in the absence of burning rubber or someone puffing cigarettes, is called phantosmia. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, This olfactory disorder can affect the quality of life of most patients who experience it. Blurry or unfocused vision, ghost images or double vision, sudden pupil size changes, and retinal changes can all be symptoms. Once the pack is removed, it may improve. Loss of smell. Brain stem tumour symptoms. Chris Smith, MD answered this in Smelling Smoke When There Isn't Any Around - READ MORE. Clapp finally sought medical attention in September 2017, she recently told SWNS. The length of time these smells last depends on the cause. Brain tumours can either be benign - which means it is not cancerous - or malignant, cancerous tumours which grow quickly and can damage brain tissue. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Does experiencing phantom smells cause brain damage? Turn the key to the unlocked position. Even when the odor does not exist, people with this condition believe they can smell certain odors like smoke, natural gas, dirt, and flowers.