phantosmia.

About phantosmia

Phantosmia, also called an olfactory hallucination or a phantom odor, is smelling an odor that is not actually there. It can occur in one nostril or both. Unpleasant phantosmia, also called cacosmia, is more common and is often described as smelling something that is burned, foul, spoiled, or rotten. Experiencing occasional phantom smells is normal and usually goes away on its own in time. When hallucinations of this type do not improve on their own or when they keep coming back, it can be very upsetting and can disrupt an individual's quality of life.