Is it possible to remove your sense of taste and/or smell?

Question

This may sound odd at first, but I am a supertaster. 25% of people of european descent have this condition, it makes you much more sensitive to taste of foods. For me personally, it makes most healthy foods (fruits/vegetables) taste like utter crap. :)

I would personally love to be able to, either temporarily or permanently, through either a drug or even surgery, just disable my sense of taste completely. Perhaps smell would have to go too... This would cause me to not overeat good tasting food that is bad for you, and would allow me to eat healthily without hating it. Let's face it, everyone would eat differently if food did not have taste. You would simply eat as a fuel source, putting in what would give your body the most health and energy.

Others may find this idea drastic, but to me it is extremely appealing. Any ideas or insights?

Answer 1

Perhaps you can repeatedly burn your tastebuds off, usually one can't taste a thing when their tongue is burnt, yu could do it all over and try to make it not smell. Drink steaming hot tea.
This could have negative health effects, and it willl be painful. Perhaps you could plug your nose while you eat. You can't smell and taste is really dulled. This seems less dangerous to your body.

Answer 2

Should it be possible to be able to smell but not taste? 5 weeks ago I had a chest infection and a cold I lost both my sense of smell and taste, after 5 weeks I am getting some smells but no taste,whatsoever ? Any ideas why this would happen and how long term could it be??

Answer 3

Well, I know that the sense of taste or smell can be lost due to head injuries and the like, and that certain medications have the side effect in alteration of your sense of smell and taste. But obviously, running your head into the wall or taking pills for the sake of that doesn't make sense.

I would counter by saying to you that we not only can derive pleasure from your sense of smell and taste, but it is vital to you, as well. What if there was a gas leak, and you could not tell? What if some food had gone bad, and you wouldn't be able to taste it? We have these senses to serve an aesthetic function as well as a practical one.

Perhaps what you need is a way to find new ways to prepare and serve these fruits and veggies that you dislike - it is possible, trust me! I would say reduce your sodium intake when eating - remember, things like salt and MSG are there to enhance flavors, which you do not need. Find a seasoning you do like (Mrs. Dash is a great one), don't overcook certain veggies (certain ones get noxious when cooked too long) and enjoy.

Answer 4

Your senses of smell and taste have a much desired effect that you seem to have forgotten about .... They are used for safety . I know people who have lost their sense of taste and smell . They are constantly in danger of eating something that has gone bad . Taste and smell warn you when you are about to eating something dangerous. These people also are no thinner or healthier than anyone else.

Answer 5

2 years ago, I did a science project on this kind of stuff. Here something: If you block your nose with a good smell, say you like peppermint, and eat cheese, which you hate. Then then cheese would taste like peppermint because it's flavor is weaker than the peppermint's and because your sense of smell directly effects how well you taste things. I have found than people have starved themselves to death because they can no longer smell things, making it hard to taste anything. So my suggestion would be that, either block your nose with a good smell, or hold your nose before smelling the food, then eat it.

Answer 6

I had a sinus infection last year that was so bad that I could not smell or taste. I cut an onion in half an put it right up to my nose and took a hugh whiff of it to prove to everyone that I was not kidding. The only thing I felt were the fumes burning my eyes. So, yes it is possible to not smell or taste anything and in my opinion: it was one of the worst weeks of my life.

Answer 7

Using brain surgery one can remove the sense of taste & smell. But with out these two it would be difficult to live the life.

I dont know about medication that can help you, may be you can consult your doctor

Answer 8

Some people with severe brain trauma lose their sense of taste, but I'd rather stuff myself with McFries than have my head bashed in!

Answer 9

my father in law can't smell do to surgery can't remember what he had done.