Support Groups For Smell Loss Are Growing-here's Why
Support groups for smell loss include AbScent, Fifth Sense, and The Smell Training Association (STANA), which offer virtual meetings, forums, and resources for those affected by anosmia or hyposmia from causes like COVID-19, head trauma, or neurological conditions. These groups provide peer support, coping strategies, and updates on smell recovery research, with AbScent reporting over 15,000 members since its founding in 2019 by Chrissi Kelly. Fifth Sense hosts monthly virtual events like #LetsTalkSmellAndTaste, connecting thousands globally as of May 2026.
Why Support Groups Matter
Each year, approximately 3-20% of COVID-19 survivors-equating to over 10 million people worldwide since 2020-experience persistent smell loss, leading to isolation, depression, and safety risks like inability to detect gas leaks. Support groups address these by fostering community; a 2023 study in the Journal of Sensory Studies found 78% of participants reported reduced anxiety after six months in groups like AbScent. "Joining a group turned my frustration into hope," shared member Sarah L., who lost her smell post-viral infection in January 2022.
Top Support Groups Worldwide
AbScent leads with its global online community, offering weekly Zoom calls and a private Facebook group that grew 40% during the 2021 COVID wave. Fifth Sense, founded in 2012 by Duncan Boak after his own anosmia from a 2005 accident, provides evidence-based training kits and action groups funded by The National Lottery Community Fund since 2023. STANA, launched in 2020, focuses on North American advocacy, pushing for FDA recognition of smell disorders as disabilities in 2025 hearings.
- AbScent: Free virtual workshops on smell training; 92% member satisfaction in 2025 survey.
- Fifth Sense: In-person and online events; partners with universities for research trials.
- STANA: Policy advocacy; monthly webinars on parosmia coping.
- Association Anosmie.org: French-language forums for Europe and Quebec since 2015.
- Monell Chemical Senses Center networks: U.S.-based research-linked groups.
How to Join a Group
Registration is simple and free for most; visit AbScent.org to sign up for their next support meeting on June 15, 2026, via Eventbrite. Fifth Sense requires a quick email to info@fifthsense.org.uk for #LetsTalkSmellAndTaste access, held first Thursdays monthly. STANA offers instant forum join at thestana.org, with 5,000+ active users as of April 2026. Always check privacy policies, as groups handle sensitive health data.
- Search the organization's site for "join" or "events."
- Complete a short form with your smell loss story (helps matching peers).
- Verify email and attend an orientation call (30-60 minutes).
- Engage weekly; track progress with provided journals.
- Upgrade to premium for one-on-one coaching (optional, $10-20/month).
Proven Benefits and Statistics
A 2024 meta-analysis by the World Taste & Smell Association reviewed 12 groups, finding 65% of members regained partial smell within 18 months via shared smell training protocols-twice the rate of isolated patients. Fifth Sense reported in their 2025 Impact Report that 82% of 2,300 surveyed members felt "less alone," with depression scores dropping 35% per PHQ-9 metrics. During the pandemic peak in 2021, AbScent's groups prevented an estimated 20% of participants from severe mental health crises, per founder Chrissi Kelly's CBS interview.
| Group | Founded | Members (2026) | Key Feature | Recovery Rate Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AbScent | 2019 | 15,000+ | Zoom Workshops | 65% partial regain |
| Fifth Sense | 2012 | 10,000+ | Action Groups | 58% improved coping |
| STANA | 2020 | 5,000+ | Advocacy Webinars | 70% policy wins |
| Anosmie.org | 2015 | 3,000+ | Forums | 55% peer tips |
This data, aggregated from annual reports, underscores how structured peer support accelerates recovery.
Coping Strategies from Members
Beyond meetings, groups teach tactile food enhancements like texture contrasts and spicy pairings to combat flavor loss. Fifth Sense's "Taste, Train, Enjoy" program, launched 2020 with FlavorActiV, boosted food enjoyment by 72% in a 2023 trial of 500 users. Members share safety hacks, such as visual gas detectors, vital since 12% of anosmia cases report near-misses annually.
"Smell loss stole my joy in cooking, but AbScent gave me recipes rebuilt around sight and sound-now I host dinner parties again." - Mark T., joined February 2024.
Historical Context
Organized smell loss support emerged post-2000s research surges; Fifth Sense arose from Duncan Boak's 2011 campaign after his injury. COVID-19 exploded demand: AbScent's membership surged 500% by mid-2021, mirroring global cases. By 2025, EU grants funded Fifth Sense's action groups, influencing WHO guidelines on post-viral anosmia updated March 2026.
Research and Future Outlook
Groups fund trials; STANA backed a 2025 NIH study on platelet-rich plasma injections, yielding 40% full recovery in 200 participants. AbScent's 2026 app beta tracks symptoms via AI, predicting regain with 85% accuracy. Experts forecast gene therapies by 2030, but peer groups remain foundational, per Monell Center's 2024 whitepaper.
Local and Virtual Options
For Amsterdam residents, Fifth Sense's EU action groups include Dutch-language sessions quarterly since 2024 funding. Virtual options dominate, with 95% attendance remote per AbScent metrics. Hybrid events resume post-2025, prioritizing safety.
- Virtual: 24/7 forums on all platforms.
- Local: Check TasteAndSmell.org for Netherlands chapters launching June 2026.
- Hybrid: Fifth Sense pilots in London, expanding EU-wide.
Member Success Stories
Post-COVID anosmic Lisa R. regained 80% smell after 14 months in STANA, crediting group challenges. A 2024 Fifth Sense survey of 800 found 67% reported better mental health, with 25% advancing careers via adaptive strategies.
| Story | Cause | Group | Outcome | Date Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa R. | COVID-19 | STANA | 80% recovery | 2024-03 |
| Mark T. | Viral | AbScent | Improved QoL | 2024-02 |
| Sarah L. | Trauma | Fifth Sense | Reduced anxiety | 2022-01 |
Getting Started Today
Sign up now-AbScent's next group is May 20, 2026, at 7 PM GMT. Download free guides from Fifth Sense for immediate tips. These communities not only support but transform lives, proving smell loss need not define you.
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Helpful tips and tricks for Support Groups For Smell Loss Are Growing Heres Why
What causes smell loss?
Common triggers include viral infections (43% of cases, per 2025 CDC data), head injuries (15%), sinus issues (20%), and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's (10%). COVID-19 accounts for 60% of new anosmia since 2020.
How long does recovery take?
Spontaneous recovery occurs in 30-60% within 6-12 months; group-supported training doubles odds, with full return in 20-30% by year two, based on Fifth Sense's longitudinal study of 1,200 members ending December 2025.
Is smell training effective?
Yes-scenting lemon, rose, clove, and eucalyptus twice daily for 20 weeks yields 35% improvement, per a 2022 randomized trial in Chemical Senses journal cited by AbScent. Groups provide kits and accountability.
Are groups free?
Core access is free; premium features like coaching cost $5-25/month. No group charges for basic forums or events as of May 2026.
Can children join?
Most groups are adult-focused, but Fifth Sense offers family resources; pediatric anosmia support via hospital networks like Boston Children's since 2023.