Sniffing scents may speed smell recovery after brain surgery
NCT ID NCT05912881
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether smell training with scented oils can help people regain their sense of smell after endoscopic skull base surgery. 41 adults with benign skull base tumors participated. Half used scented sticks and half used unscented sticks for training. Researchers measured smell function and quality of life before and after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
olfactory training (scented essential oils)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to help people recover their sense of smell after skull base surgery.
What could go wrong
This was a small, early study with only 41 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The training uses scented oils, which may not work for all types of smell loss.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, 21224, United States