What did the Underground Railroad smell like?

I can't really smell things (and also not taste things like I use to). Rarely can i smell perfectly...?

• I can't really smell things (and also not taste things like I use to). Rarely can i smell perfectly...? I've noticed over the last few years my sense of smell slowly start to worsen. I use to be able to smell a lot things very easily. Now, (I'm 18), and my sense is starting to worsen, or not as be as good as it was before. Sometimes I can't even taste things or smell them when they are right in front of me. On RARE occasions I have moments where I can smell and taste things perfectly, but then they go away seconds later. I don't know why that happens. As I type this, I know i can barely/slightly smell the scent of my room because I was just able to truly smell it seconds ago (and it was pretty bad :p) but now I can't smell anything. Not even the cologne I just sprayed. I think this is really preventing me from enjoying little things. I remember when I was able to easily smell things as a kid and I was always happy, but now I can't really smell things and I'm getting bummed out by it =( Any ideas what I might be the cause of this? Or if I have a condition? I'm scheduling a doctors appointment to get this checked out. Thanks for reading & any feedback !

• Answer:

  A large % of taste is actually smell. It sounds like you're having issues with your olfactory nerves; there can be multiple causes. I think it's most often post traumatic but many other things are possible. You'll probably need to get evaluated by a neurologist at some stage and may need an MRI. (I'm a retired radiologist, with subspecialty neuro). Hope all turns out well for you.