Loss of Smell May Impact Lifespan: Research Uncovers Surprising Link

A study from the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed that individuals with anosmia — congenital loss of smell — experience altered breathing patterns that may impact their overall health and even their lifespan. The research, published in Nature Communications, found that people without a sense of smell breathe differently compared to those with normal olfactory function.

According to findings, those with anosmia exhibited fewer "inhalation peaks" during waking hours, along with noticeable changes in breathing rhythms during sleep.

Led by Professor Noam Sobel and PhD candidate Lior Gorodisky, the study used a unique monitoring device developed specifically to track airflow through the nostrils. The device was attached to participants for 24 continuous hours, allowing researchers to compare the breathing patterns of 21 individuals with congenital anosmia to 31 individuals with a normal sense of smell. Remarkably, the team was able to identify anosmia with 83% accuracy based solely on respiratory patterns.

The researchers suggest that these differences in breathing may reflect underlying variations in brain activity — possibly explaining why people without a sense of smell are more prone to issues such as depression, anxiety, and social isolation. The findings also point to an important evolutionary link between the sense of smell and respiratory regulation, which could have broader implications for general health and longevity.

Professor Sobel concluded: “This isn’t just about health — it’s about the brain. Breathing reflects complex neural activity, and its timing is regulated by respiratory centers in the brain. What’s unique about individuals with anosmia is that their brains time their breathing differently.”