Waking Up and Literally Smelling the Coffee: Inducing Olfactory Function with 3-Phase Auricular Therapy

Background: Loss of the sense of smell, from both known and unknown causes, can be refractory to medical intervention. Cases unrelated to head trauma or infection might be ignored or assumed to be untreatable. Case: A 20-year-old male had lifelong anosmia. This patient received a single session of 3-phase auricular therapy (3PAT), including electrical stimulation and insertion of 3-mm, semipermanent ear acupuncture needles, covered by surgical tape and adhesive. Results: Approximately 1 month following insertion of the acupuncture needles, the patient acquired a sense of smell, which had always been absent. He acquired and maintained his sustained sense of smell naturally in response to the 3PAT. Conclusions: For cases of loss of sense of smell, particularly those of unknown etiology, 3PAT and its required evaluation techniques should be considered.