Posted by bubblegumchewer on November 27, 2002, at 12:53:18
In reply to Thanks, Lar, posted by bubblegumchewer on November 26, 2002, at 8:33:41
How nice to be liked! Of course I like you, too. Ok, now that we're being personal, I have to confess that I am NOT a bubble gum chewer and never have been much of one. The name was derived from another name that was equally randomly picked... anyway, lately I have become a CHEWING gum chewer. Here's where I'm going with this. Maybe you can offer some insight into this.
On the pregnant women's board it's fairly common knowledge that a craving for strange non-food items can signal nutritional deficiencies, most notably iron (pica referring to the actual eating of ice, clay, laundry starch etc.) Now, my eating habits surely aren't the best but being blessed with the body that just doesn't want to be unhealthy (thanks Mom and Dad for the genes!) every time I go to the OB I get the perfect bill of health, even with perfect iron levels despite my lack of prenatal vitamin supplementation up until recently (I felt too sick to eat much of anything let alone vitamins for a few months; ironically, nausea seems to be a GOOD sign during pregnancy; sick stomach = strong hormones = unhappy mom but happy healthy baby.) Anyway, I'm taking the darn vitamins with iron now. But back to the subject, I had some strange "cravings" last pregnancy but even more this pregnancy. Thankfully, I don't actually have the urge to EAT anything weird but I have a passionate craving for some non-food odors. A few other women have confessed to the same. Here's my list. Can you, as a chemist, find a common thread or venture a guess as to what in the heck could be going on biochemically to cause a YEARNING to smell the following items??
Winterfresh sugarless gum (chew it constantly) (this is the only ingested substance... the flavoring of course, not the gum.)
Smells of: new tires
dusty basements (had this last pregnancy too) We had some water leaking under our sink and destroying the drywall and the damp smell is absolutely intoxicating to me. I'm embarrassed to say I go in there just to stick my head under the vanity and take in the damp smell. I just LOVE anyplace dusty like a warehouse or basement.
Tide with bleach powdered detergent. Also make excuses to open the box of Tide and smell it, even run fingers through it, like I'm possessed
Air conditioning in car just upon starting it up.
That's my list. I've heard others confess that they've licked dusty cabinets. I haven't done that nor felt the urge; I'm not even drawn to ice. But I have trouble staying away from any dusty odor source if it is near. It is so compelling and pleasurable, yet it leaves me unsatisfied and wanting more. What could possibly be behind this?? Have any idea whatsoever? I believe it is mainly a pregnancy phenomenon although I've always liked the classic basement smell.
I don't like all odors like nasty mildew or a stinky goldfish tank. I seem to be mainly drawn to a classic dusty or damp smell plus certain industrial fragrances like certain laundry detergents and perfumes used in lotion, shampoo etc. Normally I am neutral about detergent and don't care much for perfumes. Thanks for any input.
poster:bubblegumchewer
thread:129239
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/129594.html