Olfactory aphantasia is the inability to voluntarily create mental smell experiences – a ‘scent-free imagination.’ This can occur independently or as part of multisensory aphantasia where multiple forms of mental imagery are affected.
Like other forms of aphantasia, olfactory aphantasia can be present from birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired). This variation helps researchers understand how the brain processes and remembers smell experiences without mental simulation.
On this page, you’ll find aphantasia research, personal stories, and community discussions about olfactory aphantasia.
