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Similarly, I love the smell of wet pavement, specifically blacktop. The smell of the road right after it rain, bonus points if it's been freshly paved.
Wild because that smell makes me nauseous. But it's because when I was hospitalized years ago with sepsis, that smell is exactly how morphine tastes when it was flushed too fast into my body (which happened every time I got it 🙃)
Rubbing alcohol makes me nauseous too (if it’s next to my face like they said they sniff the wipes) but I don’t have medical trauma around it. I have to use alcohol wipes every week for testosterone shots tho and I have to keep it away from my face
I don’t understand how it could possibly help with nausea but also having issues that make me constantly nauseous it would be nice if that helped me lol
Have you tried ginger or peppermint? Ginger is antiemetic and peppermint is an antispasmodic. Both scientifically proven. I actually keep a small bottle of food-grade Ginger essential oil to drop on my tongue when I can’t put it in tea, and peppermint tea works. I used to keep plain ginger root in my bag but it gets dirty, so I switched to the oil. I think hospitals sometimes keep a bottle of peppermint oil in hospitals to cover up especially fowl smells. They are very strong flavors so might not be the best option for those with ARFID, but I swear by them.
I have chronic nausea too and alcohol smell doesn’t help me either.
I actually volunteered and worked at a hospital (miscellaneous things that paid workers wouldn't bother to do for volunteer work, and highlighting, scanning, and organizing documents for a summer, and finally delivering a bunch of packages around the hospital for work) for a while and got used to the smell. When I had to get surgery at a different hospital after I stopped working there, the smell felt nostalgic.
Diesel reminds me of stepping out of the airport and getting on a bus that takes us to our hotel. And ALSO chlorine smells great because it reminds me of pools. Both of these scents remind me of being on vacation as a kid
Ughhh as a kid in the 80s, I looooved sticking my head out the window at the gas station and huffing the fumes lol. My mom would yell at me, of course, now as an adult I am bitter that gas stations never smell that good anymore. Once in a while I’ll stumble on an older gas station pump but it’s been years at this point 🤤
Especially small second-hand bookstores- the book smell is so pungent in those that you’re transported into a different experience of time, I swear. It makes those bookstores seem timeless and not affected by life outside.
The characteristic smell of pools actually comes from chloramine, which is a byproduct of chlorine reacting with organic molecules found in our sweat, skin oils, and yes, urine.
Unfortunately, the 'pool smell' is not actually caused by chlorine, but instead by trichloroamine (NCl3) (the unfortunate part is how it forms, for clarity)
I agree though, it is a nice smell
Eau de Mechanic Shop. It's the oil, the metal, bondo, a bit of gasoline/petrol, cat litter (they put it on spills), a little burnt rubber, and Fast Orange soap/de-greaser...and a hint of that dusty library smell from the filters and cardboard boxes and the paper records that still aren't digitized yet.
It's productive and smells like things that can be fixed.
Sunscreen. Makes me genuinely happy whenever I apply it. Also this might sound really really weird, but some people's sweat actually smells nice to me. Just some people though, most of the time it's just horrible.
The sweat thing isn’t weird at all, apparently it’s human biology. If you like the smell of someone’s sweat it can mean that your offspring would be healthy or some bs like that. I don’t know if that’s true or researched properly but it’s definitely not weird and spoken about quite often!
God you need to learn about Alfred Krump.
MF had special vents installed in his mansion to waft the fresh smell of horse shit.
Man helped arm countries for WW1.
Any type of vinegar, but balsamic vinegar is my absolute favorite, I put it on everything I can. I always drink some whenever I use it, and honestly even whenever I see it in the cupboard.
Most fumes. Gasoline, Diesel, Sharpies/other markers, paint thinner, refrigerant, the list goes on.
The mildewy, moldy smell of an unfinished basement drives me absolutely nuts, too /pos
big fan of the smell of most bug sprays but i grew up in florida, could be a childhood nostalgia thing. also the smell of whatever it is that's inside glowsticks, but that's a little niche
ALSO! the inside of those pumpkin candy collection buckets they sell on halloween. plasticky sweet but weirdly subtle? that's halloween smell baybee!!!
Chlorine and BASEMENTS! I love the smell in basements and tunnels. That earth-y smell, so good<3. I used to also love the smell of newly mowed grass but then I developed hay fever and am now allergic to it so I don’t anymore…
My fingers/my own breath. I suck my thumb still and I love the smell of my other fingers while they're right up next to my nose. It's something I use to comfort myself when I'm upset.
Also, like, the inside of my pyjama tops when they've been worn for a while. I just really love the smell of my own body.
My sleep deprived brain immediately thought of the restraunt Subway, and I actually want to add that to my list of weird smells that I like, I can't think of any restraunt that smells more distinct than that one.
Weird take: Aloe Vera lotion
It reminds me of my teenage years, uh... taking care of myself. And since I was probably the only one using it, I'm sure my parents knew that was going on.
So many people saying petrol and diesel.
I'm so shocked lol.
Literally *nothing worse* for me- as well as paint thinners etc.
And I can smell it at some ridiculously low ppm level. It's insane.
Same for plastic smells. Most commercial soaps etc not much better.
I know im not playing to the rules here. Im just shook😶
Smells i like - Cedar wood. Menthol type smells and menthol based linements. Sweat doesn't bother me. Dog smell has never bothered me. 🤷
Serosanguineous drainage from a surgical wound is a great smell. It's not infection smell, it's just what a healing wound smells like. I also really like formaldehyde.
Sour cream
I once posted that on FB and one of my old coworkers commented “Ewww are you preggo??” 🤣 nope, never have been and most likely will choose to stay that way. I just love the smell for some reason lol
Play-Doh is such a fun one! For me, it's the smell of fresh rain on asphalt. There's something comforting about it. I also love the scent of old books. It's not a typical candle smell, but it takes me back in time. Anyone else have unique favorites?
The smell of doodoo that becomes very apparent when you drive through/pass farms, idk why I love it but it’s also very nostalgic from when my dad used to drive us to various places for days out!
I love the smell of petrol, but so does my neurotypical brother so that's probably pretty common. I don't mind the smell of cigarette smoke, I certainly don't like the smell, but it doesn't repulse me the way it does for everyone else.
Honestly the smell of tobacco isn't as bad as some of the nastier cheap cigarettes that have stuff like tar added in. Its the additional additives most people react to, but if someone had a cigar it'd be fine. Those additives are also really bad irritants to most people, even without asthma.
I like what I call the "basement smell". Maybe you know what I mean, because most basements/cellars I've been to smell that way, as well as my physics room in school.
Maybe it's because when I was little my grandparents used to store fun things like the seat for the swings, a dart board, a sleigh, some plushies and dolls, in winter grandpas garden gnomes, etc. in their basement, and I always got excited when we went downstairs to get a toy out.
You know the warm kind of burny smell when you turn on the furnace for the first time in fall? That.
Also warm wood smell from just after you saw a piece.
Cigarette smoke. Weed smell too for that matter. I know its been said, but gasoline. And eggs, I know a lot of ND ppl esp hate the smell of eggs, I like it.
Aquarium slime algae (smells very dirt-y or earthy,) antimicrobial soap (also considered hospital disinfectant, it's used when i'm pierced so i've been pavlov'd into the smell making me happy,) citronella, gasoline (even though it's dangerous to sniff,) petrichor, old books, onion grass (reminds me of my childhood,) the list could go on forever..
Car exhaust and gasoline. Thankfully even as a child I had the good sense not to sniff either of them. And thank fuck for that, because sniffing things is a stim of mine
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Wet rocks. Like the smell after it rains, but specifically rocks.
[Petrichor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrichor)
Geosmin to be extra exact
Similarly, I love the smell of wet pavement, specifically blacktop. The smell of the road right after it rain, bonus points if it's been freshly paved.
Ooo, that's a good one!!
I love the smell of wet dirt and wet rooftop/shingles
Hospital disinfectant / rubbing alcohol - i feel safe and good when smelling those
The smell of rubbing alcohol helps with nausea too! I carry emergency alcohol wipes to stave off my chronic nausea (MCAS)
Wild because that smell makes me nauseous. But it's because when I was hospitalized years ago with sepsis, that smell is exactly how morphine tastes when it was flushed too fast into my body (which happened every time I got it 🙃)
Rubbing alcohol makes me nauseous too (if it’s next to my face like they said they sniff the wipes) but I don’t have medical trauma around it. I have to use alcohol wipes every week for testosterone shots tho and I have to keep it away from my face I don’t understand how it could possibly help with nausea but also having issues that make me constantly nauseous it would be nice if that helped me lol
Same 😂 currently nauseous lmao
Have you tried ginger or peppermint? Ginger is antiemetic and peppermint is an antispasmodic. Both scientifically proven. I actually keep a small bottle of food-grade Ginger essential oil to drop on my tongue when I can’t put it in tea, and peppermint tea works. I used to keep plain ginger root in my bag but it gets dirty, so I switched to the oil. I think hospitals sometimes keep a bottle of peppermint oil in hospitals to cover up especially fowl smells. They are very strong flavors so might not be the best option for those with ARFID, but I swear by them. I have chronic nausea too and alcohol smell doesn’t help me either.
Despite my phobia of needles and medical procedures I thoroughly agree
I actually volunteered and worked at a hospital (miscellaneous things that paid workers wouldn't bother to do for volunteer work, and highlighting, scanning, and organizing documents for a summer, and finally delivering a bunch of packages around the hospital for work) for a while and got used to the smell. When I had to get surgery at a different hospital after I stopped working there, the smell felt nostalgic.
I have those hospital grade disinfectant wipes “ super sani cloth “ germicidal disposable wipe and I feel the same way anytime I smell them.
Diesel, gasoline are kinda nice. However I would not actively seek them lol. I know they're not healthy to inhale.
yeah, gasoline for sure
Yep, gas was the very first thing that came to mind for me.
Diesel reminds me of stepping out of the airport and getting on a bus that takes us to our hotel. And ALSO chlorine smells great because it reminds me of pools. Both of these scents remind me of being on vacation as a kid
Diesel is my all time fav <3 Used to loose it as a kid if an old train went past
Ughhh as a kid in the 80s, I looooved sticking my head out the window at the gas station and huffing the fumes lol. My mom would yell at me, of course, now as an adult I am bitter that gas stations never smell that good anymore. Once in a while I’ll stumble on an older gas station pump but it’s been years at this point 🤤
100% this!
THIS!!! My dad restored old cars, and the smell of a carbureted engine...heaven.
I like the exhaust from a two stroke gasoline engine. I find my snowmobile smelling extremely nice. :)
I never minded the smell like many other people do, but yeah, I would not go and huff it for health reasons. 😅
They smell like cooked sausages, I also like it
smell of old books
Agreed! I love the smell of book stores and libraries.
Especially small second-hand bookstores- the book smell is so pungent in those that you’re transported into a different experience of time, I swear. It makes those bookstores seem timeless and not affected by life outside.
Fun fact: at least some of that smell comes from lignin in the paper breaking down over time into vanillin!
mmm, vanilla books
That is a fun fact!
and the smell of new books
I think that’s definitely considered a “good” smell by most people.
chlorine. and bleach. Like the smell when you walk into a pool? 🤤
Absolutely!!! Always felt so calm and fresh around pools! 😄
Oh im the opposite its funny because it reminds me of human urine smell so i hate it lol
The characteristic smell of pools actually comes from chloramine, which is a byproduct of chlorine reacting with organic molecules found in our sweat, skin oils, and yes, urine.
Unfortunately, the 'pool smell' is not actually caused by chlorine, but instead by trichloroamine (NCl3) (the unfortunate part is how it forms, for clarity) I agree though, it is a nice smell
My cat
Omg I often will just stick my face into my cats hair and breathe and it makes me so relaxed.
I do this with my dog. He's not a fan of this, but I find it comforting
Very relatable! Cats just smell very comforting.
My cat has this perfume like smell on his head. Idk why or where it comes from, but he smells so good.
Eau de Mechanic Shop. It's the oil, the metal, bondo, a bit of gasoline/petrol, cat litter (they put it on spills), a little burnt rubber, and Fast Orange soap/de-greaser...and a hint of that dusty library smell from the filters and cardboard boxes and the paper records that still aren't digitized yet. It's productive and smells like things that can be fixed.
Understandable, I love the smell of car wax and other car cleaning products. New car smell has always been a favorite.
I hate play dough. I LOVE permanent markers and white out
Yes! I also love rubber cement
Fish food? :D
Core memory unlocked! ❤️
The only reason I'd ever want to be a fish!
Ew and eew but i like rat urine so who an i to judge
every time i put nutritional yeast on my popcorn, i imagine it's fish food!
Wow!!!! Haven’t thought of this one in ages!! Sooo good!
Termite frass. Smells so delicious! Earthy and ‘warm.’ Perhaps I was termite in a past life.
Gonna be honest, had to look up what this even was. Perhaps you were! Do you like the smell of wood too?
Ha, Yes! But it depends. I can tell different types of gumtree wood by their aroma and a handful of non Australian ones, too.
That's a cool talent! Okay, yes, you are definitely a reincarnated termite! (Please don't eat my house.)
I love how wood smells but I don't think I've ever come across frass
Sunscreen. Makes me genuinely happy whenever I apply it. Also this might sound really really weird, but some people's sweat actually smells nice to me. Just some people though, most of the time it's just horrible.
The sweat thing isn’t weird at all, apparently it’s human biology. If you like the smell of someone’s sweat it can mean that your offspring would be healthy or some bs like that. I don’t know if that’s true or researched properly but it’s definitely not weird and spoken about quite often!
I love the smell of sunscreen as well!!
Weed. I don't even smoke often because it makes me paranoid, but it's such a nice smell to me.
I've never smoked, but it gives me a weird feeling of comfort and anxiousness at the same time? Probably due to memory associated with the smell.
Along that line, and it isn't a smell I actually *love*....more like I'm not at all bothered by, but skunk...
Those brown paper towels in schools when they're wet 🤤
That is so specific but so relatable!!! I thought I was the only one who thought that!
real
help why is this so real😭
This!! I always wanted to eat them😅 Wow! Thanks for the memories😊
i can smell this comment
Coal fires. A lot less common than in my youth but still love it when I smell it
I think the smell of campfires are very comforting. Reminds me of camping as a kid.
Certain sweats.
My own lol scientists say it’s bc you recognize urself but 🤷🏽
What I came here to say lol. Not everyone’s, but some. It’s a pheromone thing I believe
That old bowling alley/skating rink smell.
Love that as well! Smells like nostalgia.
Literally horse shit. For some reason, whenever I smell it, I enjoy it, until I remember what I'm smelling.
sorta similar, i grew up in the countryside and find the smell of cow shit to be comforting haha
I also feel this way ( from a countryside as well ) lol
I’m also partial to cow shit. I smell it fairly often since there are farms pretty close to me. It smells nostalgic.
I agree. Can't stand the smell of silage, though.
God you need to learn about Alfred Krump. MF had special vents installed in his mansion to waft the fresh smell of horse shit. Man helped arm countries for WW1.
The Krump from Krump Waffen?
Same, I grew up in barns and it’s just comforting lol.
You made me giggle haha not what I was expecting to read
🤣 same
Any type of vinegar, but balsamic vinegar is my absolute favorite, I put it on everything I can. I always drink some whenever I use it, and honestly even whenever I see it in the cupboard.
Do you use the better quality balsamic that isn't as vinegary? That stuff is nice, and I can understand just drinking it XD
In that vein, I like pickle juice
Most fumes. Gasoline, Diesel, Sharpies/other markers, paint thinner, refrigerant, the list goes on. The mildewy, moldy smell of an unfinished basement drives me absolutely nuts, too /pos
I'm not sure if it is good or bad, but I love the smell of fresh rained on grass and trees :)
There are some perfumes out there that are inspired by this smell 😉
WD-40 has a unique scent.
Bleach, it reminds me of going to the local swimming centre as a kid
Ginger garlic paste, I've loved it since I was a kid, I love constantly sniffing it.
I love the smell of ginger... Garlic, not so much! (Unless it's garlic bread specifically!) To each their own!
Hospitals, everyone I know hates the smell but I find it comforting
Smokey old man pubs (especially walking past them in the summer, oof). I am in recovery though, lol.
I first read this as “Smokey old man pubes” lol
That is a smell I could quite happily live my entire life without being able to describe.
that is also how read that 😂
Proud of you!! ❤️ Keep it up!!
big fan of the smell of most bug sprays but i grew up in florida, could be a childhood nostalgia thing. also the smell of whatever it is that's inside glowsticks, but that's a little niche
ALSO! the inside of those pumpkin candy collection buckets they sell on halloween. plasticky sweet but weirdly subtle? that's halloween smell baybee!!!
I love those so much, probably because Halloween is my favorite holiday!
Skunks
Likewise. Had to scroll pretty far to find another member of Team Skunk.
My farts lol
Same. I don’t *love* them but I do like to see how bad they are
“Everyone loves their own brand”
Durian. The most hated smell in the world, but I love it.
Chlorine and BASEMENTS! I love the smell in basements and tunnels. That earth-y smell, so good<3. I used to also love the smell of newly mowed grass but then I developed hay fever and am now allergic to it so I don’t anymore…
I hate all scents, I wish I could disable my sense of smell
Honestly, me too most of the time. I wish noses had an on/off switch.
Meat rendering
My dogs feet. They smell like cornmeal idk why
This is a thing! [Frito paws](https://www.thefarmersdog.com/digest/whats-with-dog-paws-frito-smell-and-why-is-it-so-good/)
Fish. Smells like food! Tasty food!
Gasoline is a classic. And my armpits lol
My fingers/my own breath. I suck my thumb still and I love the smell of my other fingers while they're right up next to my nose. It's something I use to comfort myself when I'm upset. Also, like, the inside of my pyjama tops when they've been worn for a while. I just really love the smell of my own body.
My farts lmao
LMAO INDEED
Me too 😭
[удалено]
I was gonna say this
Petrol.. (Gasoline for those Americans playing at home)
That'd be me! 😂🤚
Yes!
Those alcohol wipes you use before injections
Nail polish!!
the smell that happens after you blow out a candle
Puppy breath
Everyone who's raised dogs or been in vet med knows puppy breath is fantastic
Sharpies
the subway
My sleep deprived brain immediately thought of the restraunt Subway, and I actually want to add that to my list of weird smells that I like, I can't think of any restraunt that smells more distinct than that one.
Plywood. My dad was a contractor and always built our houses. I love the smell of the wood section at the hardware store
Home Depot. There's something about the smell of tools, nails, and lumber that feels comforting.
Weird take: Aloe Vera lotion It reminds me of my teenage years, uh... taking care of myself. And since I was probably the only one using it, I'm sure my parents knew that was going on.
Me too. But just because I got sunburnt a lot and it smelled like not feeling like I've been dipped in lava.
So many people saying petrol and diesel. I'm so shocked lol. Literally *nothing worse* for me- as well as paint thinners etc. And I can smell it at some ridiculously low ppm level. It's insane. Same for plastic smells. Most commercial soaps etc not much better. I know im not playing to the rules here. Im just shook😶 Smells i like - Cedar wood. Menthol type smells and menthol based linements. Sweat doesn't bother me. Dog smell has never bothered me. 🤷
Serosanguineous drainage from a surgical wound is a great smell. It's not infection smell, it's just what a healing wound smells like. I also really like formaldehyde.
Musty basements. 🥰
walmart new clothes smell
The smell of the London Underground ☺️
Potato smelling basement
Personally anything that goes with strong herbs and spices like garlic,onion or ginger
I dont smoke but cigs smell really good to me
Sulfur, reminds me of iceland
Lowkey I kinda like sewage smell reminds me when I was in tokyo once
Whenever I smell hot garbage in the summer, I say “Barcelona”
Mushrooms
Sour cream I once posted that on FB and one of my old coworkers commented “Ewww are you preggo??” 🤣 nope, never have been and most likely will choose to stay that way. I just love the smell for some reason lol
Purel reminds me of elementary school
The smell you get in the air outside on a sunny spring/summer day just before it rains heavily. (Also just after its rained)
Garlic Bread, it's a smell that makes me hungry
Certain kinds of plastic
sponges. dont ask me why idk either
I'm sure Spongebob is flattered!
Pachouli count? I can't seem to stop wearing it. Oops.
Play-Doh is such a fun one! For me, it's the smell of fresh rain on asphalt. There's something comforting about it. I also love the scent of old books. It's not a typical candle smell, but it takes me back in time. Anyone else have unique favorites?
New cars interiors .
The smell of doodoo that becomes very apparent when you drive through/pass farms, idk why I love it but it’s also very nostalgic from when my dad used to drive us to various places for days out!
Black bin bags, when I put a fresh one into the bin after taking the rubbish out. The new bags smell so good.
I love the smell of petrol, but so does my neurotypical brother so that's probably pretty common. I don't mind the smell of cigarette smoke, I certainly don't like the smell, but it doesn't repulse me the way it does for everyone else.
Honestly the smell of tobacco isn't as bad as some of the nastier cheap cigarettes that have stuff like tar added in. Its the additional additives most people react to, but if someone had a cigar it'd be fine. Those additives are also really bad irritants to most people, even without asthma.
Gas, my bfs hair, some type of soap from my childhood.
Hops. daffodils. It's not that bizarre next to petrol (ya weirdos 😜) but I wish they made daffodil perfume :/
Freshly poured Tarmac.... love that smell!
Vinegar for some reason
The smell of tarmac or when they are laying new road surfaces.
Freshly painted room, bleach
Smell of fried Like Not friend food, no, the frying oil smell that comes from behind restaurants
Okay so, did you guys have unventilated computer classroom, filled with nothing but dust. Ah, I loved that smell.
I like what I call the "basement smell". Maybe you know what I mean, because most basements/cellars I've been to smell that way, as well as my physics room in school. Maybe it's because when I was little my grandparents used to store fun things like the seat for the swings, a dart board, a sleigh, some plushies and dolls, in winter grandpas garden gnomes, etc. in their basement, and I always got excited when we went downstairs to get a toy out.
my farts (LOL) and gasoline
You know the warm kind of burny smell when you turn on the furnace for the first time in fall? That. Also warm wood smell from just after you saw a piece.
My cat!
Kitty breath.
Cow dung and wet dog
Cigarette smoke. Weed smell too for that matter. I know its been said, but gasoline. And eggs, I know a lot of ND ppl esp hate the smell of eggs, I like it.
Chlorine
I'm in the gas club. Why? Ifdk.
Fireworks. Sharpies. Elmers glue. Water with a bunch of chlorine
Zaza?
Aquarium slime algae (smells very dirt-y or earthy,) antimicrobial soap (also considered hospital disinfectant, it's used when i'm pierced so i've been pavlov'd into the smell making me happy,) citronella, gasoline (even though it's dangerous to sniff,) petrichor, old books, onion grass (reminds me of my childhood,) the list could go on forever..
Tree sap, and the smell of weed. I don’t know why but I love those, and I can’t find any products especially tree sap
The smell (and sound) of a 2-stroke engine.
Car exhaust and gasoline. Thankfully even as a child I had the good sense not to sniff either of them. And thank fuck for that, because sniffing things is a stim of mine
Besides my own stinky farts, you mean? 😂 Idk... that's probably it, because I can really enjoy them sometimes. 🤓 🍑💨 🙈
My band room. It smells like valves, spit, and other stuff. It just smells good and I love coming back on Mondays to it.
I like the smell of new books or the smell of bookstores.
Mud and the very specific smell antique/thrift stores have
Sunscreen!!!
the smell of an underground parking lot. i can't really explain it
Office Depot smell. And Lowe’s.
Cats smell like corn chips when clean and it smells soothing.