Abstract

Osmophobia or olfactophobia refers to a fear, aversion, or psychological hypersensitivity to odors. The phobia generally occurs in chronic migraine sufferers who may have "odor triggered" migraines. Such migraines are most frequently triggered by foul odors, but the hypersensitivity may extend to all odors. One study found as many as 25% of migraine sufferers had some degree of osmophobia. The condition may also be present in individuals in substance withdrawal, specifically opioid withdrawal syndrome, where it is usually associated with nausea and/or vomiting.

The term "osmophobia" comes from the Greek ὀσμή - "osmē", meaning "smell, odour" and φόβος - "phobos", "fear". "Olfactophobia" comes from the Latin "olfacto", "to smell at".