Losing Our Sense of Smell

In The Saturday Evening Post’s “Losing Our Sense of Smell”, journalist Victoria Clayton explores how this long-undervalued sense shapes memory, safety, emotional well-being, quality of life, and brain health. The article examines the many causes and consequences of smell loss, and the growing evidence that olfactory training may help some people recover function.

“We have treated smell as an accessory for far too long. It is part of how we stay safe, enjoy food, hold on to memory, and recognize ourselves. When it changes or disappears, the loss can be profound—and it deserves serious attention from medicine and public health,” Mindy Yang, Co-Founder and CEO, WTSA.