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Impaired olfactory function in substance use disorder
Clara U Raithel1, Garrick T Sherman1, David H Epstein1
1National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, 21224, MD, Baltimore, USA.
Psychopharmacology
|December 21, 2025
Summary
Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) show impaired olfactory identification compared to controls. This suggests a link between smell dysfunction and SUDs, warranting further investigation into the underlying mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Olfactory function is crucial for motivated behaviors and is impaired in conditions like major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder (AUD).
- The impact of olfactory function on other substance use disorders (SUDs) beyond AUD remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between olfactory abilities and SUDs in individuals not diagnosed with AUD.
- To compare olfactory performance between individuals with SUDs and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Olfactory tests (odor identification and threshold) using Sniffin' Sticks were administered to 40 individuals with SUDs (excluding AUD) and 112 controls.
- Linear regression models were used to compare groups, controlling for age, sex, and smoking status.
Main Results:
- Individuals with SUDs exhibited significantly lower odor identification scores compared to controls.
- No overall significant difference in olfactory thresholds was found between groups.
- Exploratory analysis revealed lower olfactory thresholds in men with SUDs compared to male controls, a pattern not observed in women.
Conclusions:
- Olfactory identification is impaired in individuals with SUDs, suggesting a potential role for smell dysfunction in these disorders.
- Further longitudinal research is necessary to determine the temporal relationship between olfactory deficits, substance use, and SUD development or symptomatology.
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