Rediscovering scents: Using the county fair to retrain smell

Imagine stepping onto the fairgrounds and smelling nothing. Any county fair is a mixture of sights, sounds and smells, but can you imagine a void of olfactory sensations? Instead, let your imagination envelop the excitement of this grand annual event with the aromas of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and the umami savory.

Approximately 60% of people infected in 2021 with the virus that causes COVID-19 lost some ability to taste or smell. Even though these changes are usually temporary, research found 25% of those affected did not experience a full recovery. They continue to be left with a diminished sense of smell.

This condition is known as anosmia, one of the most frustrating and limiting consequences of COVID-19. However, olfactory retraining is not new. Treatment has been used for years because many other viruses also cause anosmia.

An anosmia treatment program involves linking strong familiar smells with how the patient remembers scents they are smelling. Imagining the bite of peppermint while tasting this strong mint can retrain the brain. Spicy ginger stimulates the taste buds after remembering the texture and taste, blending with the saliva in the mouth. Sticky peanut butter on the tongue while imagining the rich, nutty and savory aroma with a subtle sweetness and slight saltiness balances the flavor.

Practicing mindfulness is part of smell retraining. Exposing olfactory nerves to a variety of aromas helps retrain the sense of smell and taste. The county fair is an excellent environment to begin the experiment.

Imagine the odor while passing the swine barn or walking through the horses in their stalls with the sweet smell of hay. Leave these areas and then return, recollecting the aroma of the animals. Short exposure, then a second or third stroll through the barns, may retrain the brain, causing it to be more sensitive to these fragrances.

Be patient. Regaining the sense of taste and smell can take time. A good place to start is breathing in the sweet smell of cotton candy or the bitter bite of fresh lemonade. Chicken barbecue is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Remember the deliciousness of greasy, savory, melt-in-the-mouth goodness as your teeth sink into tender meat.

The noise of diesel engines can mix with the recollection of the smell of energy bursting on the track. Eat a few doughnuts to help stimulate and recover a sense of smell by remembering the one-of-a-kind flavor associated with the plump rounds of fried dough straight from the fryer.

Memory and smell are tightly connected in the brain, especially pleasant memories. Don’t be discouraged after only one attempt. Revisit the aromas, imagining the same emotions and memories from before the loss.

There may be other clinical reasons for the continuation of anosmia. Discuss this with a health care provider. Rule out underlying causes, like chronic sinus infections or nodules.

In short, use the smells of the annual county fair to excite the olfactory nerves. Mindfully remember days of fair food, fragrant flowers and manure.

Bobbie Randall is a registered, licensed dietitian. Email her at bobbierandallrd@gmail.com.