Radio waves boost smell without surgery or chemicals

Radio waves improve sense of smell in healthy individuals, offering hope for painless, non-invasive treatment.

Why it matters

  • Novel, painless treatment to improve sense of smell.
  • Relevant for COVID-19, aging, and brain injury-related smell loss.

By the numbers

  • 5-minute treatment duration.
  • Effect lasted over a week.

The big picture

  • First radio wave treatment for smell without physical contact or chemicals.
  • Potential for broader applications, including professionals needing keen smell.

What they're saying

  • Interest in applications for Alzheimer’s and long-term COVID-19 smell loss.

Caveats

  • Study focused on healthy individuals; effectiveness for smell loss not yet confirmed.

What’s next

  • Further studies planned for individuals with anosmia or hyposmia.