After COVID-19, many notice lingering loss or distortion of smell. Smell retraining kits—often four essential-oil vials you sniff twice daily—promise gentle stimulation that may coax olfactory nerves back online. The idea has spread from small clinical studies into Long COVID discussion threads and do-it-yourself routines with lemon, clove, rose, or eucalyptus oils.
What folks report in real life
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Slow, steady gains – A handful of posters describe faint scents sharpening over weeks, then returning almost to normal after a few months of daily practice.
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Partial wins – Others say certain smells come back while parosmia (everything smells burnt / rotten) still lingers.
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Frustration & fatigue – Repetition can feel like a part-time job; some stop when sessions trigger headaches, sensory overload, or just plain discouragement.
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Creative tweaks – People swap in favorite kitchen spices or coffee beans, change the order of scents, or add music and deep breathing to make sessions less tedious.
What tiny studies suggest
Early randomized trials (under 100 participants) report measurable bumps in “scratch-and-sniff” scores after 12–24 weeks of structured training—especially in long-haulers whose smell loss fluctuates (a clue their nerves are trying to regrow). Data beyond six months and outside COVID-related anosmia are still thin.
Unknowns & open questions
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How well kits help with parosmia or severe nerve damage
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Whether sensory-sensitive conditions like ME/CFS or fibromyalgia tolerate strong odors long-term
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The ideal training length (12 weeks? a year?) and scent lineup
Add your experience
The evidence pool is small; honest user stories make it stronger. If you’ve tried a commercial kit, a DIY oil lineup, or anything in between—all wins, stalls, and side notes are welcome:
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Use the Add Review box just above.
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Share as much or as little detail as you like—you can post anonymously.
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Press Post and help someone else set realistic expectations.
Five minutes of your story could save another person weeks of doubt. Thanks for keeping the circle of knowledge growing!
