The Phantom Stench: When the Nose Knows Too Much

Most of us do a quick sniff test or ask a partner for reassurance. But what happens when you’re certain you smell bad—even when no one else can detect it?

Avery Gilbert dives into the fascinating (and often heartbreaking) world of Olfactory Reference Syndrome (ORS)—a little-known but increasingly studied disorder where sufferers are convinced they emit foul odors, despite no physical cause.