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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

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The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
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Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
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Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions01:26

Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions

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Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by a range of symptoms that significantly impact cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation. Among these, the positive symptoms stand out as they involve the addition or exaggeration of normal mental functions, deviating markedly from typical behavior and perception. Hallucinations and delusions are prominent positive symptoms, each profoundly affecting the individual's experience of reality.
Hallucinations
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Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions01:30

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Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder that can manifest with various positive symptoms, including thought, movement, and behavior disorders. These symptoms significantly disrupt cognitive and motor functions, leading to profound effects on an individual's ability to engage with the world.
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Hallucinogens and Psychedelics01:27

Hallucinogens and Psychedelics

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Hallucinogens are psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perceptual experiences, generating unreal visual and sensory images. Often referred to as psychedelic drugs — a term derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "delos" (revealing) — these substances include marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), among others. These drugs vary in intensity and effects.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 24, 2025

Olfactory Context Dependent Memory: Direct Presentation of Odorants
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Olfactory Context Dependent Memory: Direct Presentation of Odorants

Published on: September 18, 2018

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Olfactory hallucinations in a population-based sample.

Eike Wehling1, Josef J Bless2, Marco Hirnstein2

  • 1Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Haukeland University Hospital Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Psychiatry Research
|August 14, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Olfactory hallucinations, smelling odors without stimuli, affect 4.2% of Norwegians. Anxiety and stressful events correlate with these phantom smells, particularly in young females.

Keywords:
hallucinations, sensory perception, phantosmia, population basedmultimodal hallucinations

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Olfactory hallucinations (OH) are perceptions without stimuli.
  • Prevalence and triggers in the general population are understudied.
  • Factors like substance use, life events, and mood are potential influences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of OH in a Norwegian general population sample.
  • To investigate associated factors including demographics, mood, and life events.
  • To explore co-occurrence with hallucinations in other sensory modalities.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study analyzing self-report data from 2500 Norwegians (aged 18-96).
  • Assessed occurrence of OH, other hallucinations, age, sex, depression/anxiety symptoms, mental health status, and severe life events.
  • Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant associations.

Main Results:

  • 4.2% reported experiencing OH (95% CI 3.5-5.1%).
  • OH frequently co-occurred with other hallucinations (56%).
  • Prevalence was higher in younger individuals and females. Anxiety symptoms and severe life events were significantly associated with OH.

Conclusions:

  • OH affect a notable portion of the general population, often co-occurring with other hallucinatory experiences.
  • Demographic factors (age, sex) and psychological factors (anxiety, stress) are linked to OH.
  • Further research with comprehensive assessments is needed to understand OH and their impact on mental health.