High sensitivity to smells and feel stuck in inside like taste bud - #270

Your condition, where you experience heightened sensitivity to smells and a persistent bad odor sensation, could be linked to an imbalance in the body’s Pitta dosha in Ayurveda, especially impacting Rasa dhatu (plasma) and Manovaha srotas (channels of the mind). Excessive Pitta can cause hyper-reactivity to sensory stimuli like smell and taste, leading to symptoms similar to what you’re describing. Cold water consumption, particularly first thing in the morning, can aggravate Kapha and disrupt digestion (Agni), leading to ama (toxins) accumulation in the digestive system, which might explain the persistent smell issue from the stomach to the mouth.

To address this, I suggest avoiding cold water entirely and switching to warm water or herbal teas like ginger and fennel, which improve digestion and cleanse toxins. Begin your day with lukewarm water mixed with honey and lemon to cleanse the digestive tract. Ayurvedic herbs like Triphala or Gandhaka Rasayana can help detoxify the system, and Nasyam therapy (medicated nasal drops) with Anu Taila can cleanse the nasal passages and improve your sense of smell. Incorporating Abhyanga (oil massage) with cooling oils like Coconut oil or Chandanadi taila will pacify Pitta and soothe the nervous system.

Balancing your diet with more bitter and astringent foods (leafy greens, turmeric) while avoiding spicy, sour, and fermented foods can help restore digestive health. Mindful practices like Pranayama (breathing exercises) and Yoga Nidra can calm the mind and help in managing heightened sensory perception. Consulting an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized Panchakarma treatments like Virechana (purgation) to clear excess Pitta may bring relief and restore balance.

It sounds like you’re dealing with a heightened sense of smell and taste, which is definitely challenging. This isn’t super common, but in Ayurveda, we might consider this as an imbalance in the doshas, especially Vata and Pitta. Vata is linked with sensory responses, and an increase in Pitta can sometimes lead to an overactive sense of smell.

Firstly, it’s great that you’re health-conscious, but drinking cold water, particularly early in the morning, might be aggravating your condition. Cold water can disrupt Agni (digestive fire), leading to an imbalance. Consider switching to warm or room-temperature water—it can be more balancing and gentle on your system.

Your uneasiness with various smells could also be related to ama (toxins) in the digestive system. When your digestive system is unable to process food efficiently, it creates toxins that might be responsible for these symptoms. You could try an easily digestible, warm diet, focusing on foods like kichari, which is a mix of rice and lentils, cooked with spices like ginger, turmeric, and cumin. They’re all great for enhancing digestion.

And, please try to find time for pranayama exercises, like Anulom Vilom (alternate nostril breathing), which can help balance the mind and the senses. Practice these in a calm, clean environment.

For the immediate issue of bad smells, you might find relief in using essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus—inhale gently to mask strong odors naturally. Keep something handy if useful on sudden occasions. It’s important to address this sensitively, so you’re not advocating just covering up a symptom but using it temporarily as you work on the underlying issues.

Lastly, don’t stop looking for answers with your doctor or specialist. Ongoing medical assistance alongside ayurvedic approaches is crucial. It’s essential for safety especially when you’re experiences drastic changes like weight loss. Medical professionals can run necessary tests or refer you to specialists who can rule out conditions not immediately visible.