Is your ability to taste and smell impaired?
If your answer is yes, these Organizations Can Help.
Experiencing a sudden loss of smell or taste, as seen in COVID-19 cases, can be bewildering and challenging. Since there are limited therapeutic options for treating anosmia or parosmia, individuals must adapt and cope with these conditions in their everyday lives. Thankfully, several organizations offer valuable information and support to those affected by smell and/or taste impairments. We've provided brief descriptions, website links, contact details, and social media information below. Please share this helpful resource with patients and others who may benefit from it.
ASSOCIATION ANOSMIE.ORG: Founded by Jean-Michel Maillard in 2015, this group supports those suffering from smell loss in France, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland and Quebec. They provide information and support, including forums on their website.
Contact: contact@anosmie.org
FIFTH SENSE: Based in the UK, Fifth Sense is a registered charity established in 2012 by Duncan Boak, who lost his sense of smell after a fall. The organization supports people affected by smell and taste disorders across the world. They provide comprehensive information on smell loss, host events, and advocate for research and understanding of smell loss. Taste, Train, Enjoy is their collaboration with FlavorActiV with the aim of enabling people who have suffered impairment of their sense of smell to get more pleasure from food and drink.
Contact: info@fifthsense.org.uk
YouTube
HUNGERNDTHIRST: The HungerNdThirst Foundation based in Amsterdam is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with cancer. They develop practical tools to alleviate side effects such as taste disturbance, work to increase awareness, and facilitate personal support and advice through the Peer-to-Peer (Buddy) app. The HungerNdThirst Foundation developed the ATE (Awareness Through Experience) Cookie ® that mimics taste alterations during chemotherapy to facilitate conversations about taste disturbance.
Contact: info@hungerndthirst.org
Facebook
THE MONELL CHEMICAL SENSES CENTER: The Monell Center is the world’s only independent, non-profit scientific institute dedicated to interdisciplinary basic research on the senses of taste and smell. On their website you’ll find both their latest research, and some of the most recent articles about smell and taste loss, as they are often quoted in the press.
They host seminars and events on key topics in smell and taste, and publish regular newsletters.
Contact: https://monell.org/contact-us/
Facebook
REUKSMAAKSTOORNIS: Based in the Netherlands, this association was founded in 2000. They provide information about smell and taste disorders, including health, nutrition, social safety and human relationships. They connect individuals suffering from smell loss via a private Facebook page for members. Their smell training app, Reuktraining.nl, was developed by reuksmaakstorder.nl and subsidized by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.
Contact: secretariaat@reuksmaakstror.nl
THE SMELL PODCAST: The Smell Podcast was created and launched by Katie Boateng in August 2018. She interviews scientists, clinicians and individuals about smell loss, treatments and new research.
Listen here https://www.thesmellpodcast.com/episodes
Contact: TheSmellPodcast@gmail.com
STANA: The Smell and Taste Association of North America is a new patient advocacy group formed in 2020 to improve the quality of life for people with smell and taste disorders. They recognize that the loss of taste or smell can affect health, safety and emotional well-being. STANA seeks to expand research, education and treatments for people living in North America who are experiencing the invisible loss of these senses.
Contact: https://thestana.org/contact-us
Help us build a global community.
The World Taste & Smell Association is continuously seeking volunteers, sponsors, and partners to collaborate with us for local, digital, and regional events, as we aim to further our mission. We invite you to connect with us and discover the numerous opportunities available for your involvement. Together, we can make a difference!
