Posted by Larry Hoover on November 29, 2002, at 12:13:31
In reply to There was a question hidden above, posted by bubblegumchewer on November 29, 2002, at 11:16:19
> I'm not trying to nag. If you have no idea or no interest, then that's ok. I've tried to do my own research but can find almost NOTHING on anything related to olfactory functions. I know that this subject is off the medication track but it has a little to do with nutritional deficiencies (or at least I think it might); therefore I thought you might have some kind of clue. It's not important; I'm just very curious as to why or even whether nutritional deficiencies or some other (hormonal?) mechanism could drive people to ingest or at least lust after the smell of non-food items that normally don't inspire delight. I forgot to mention that I am drawn to any bleach-type smell such as plain old bleach or cleanser. Though I'm smarter than to linger near the comet-ed bathtub and take it in for too long. I know that's probably not the healthiest habit.
Ya, forgot about this part. Two thoughts: a) apparently you're not alone; b) there may be no meaning to the practice, and attempting to find one may be futile.
Birth 1995 Sep;22(3):129-37
Pica and olfactory craving of pregnancy: how deep are the secrets?
Cooksey NR.
The practice of pica during pregnancy is described in contemporary literature as the ingestion of nonfood substances and food staples in response to craving. A previously unnamed practice, olfactory craving of pregnancy, is the smelling by pregnant women of selected substances in response to craving, which may occur alone or with pica. Observations and descriptions of women's experiences of pica and olfactory craving were documented during individualized postpartum bedside instruction of 300 women at a midwestern hospital between 1992 and 1994. Most women were African American and low income. Eight themes about pica of pregnancy were keeping practices secret, singularity of the experience, obtaining the craved substance, fears for effects on the fetus, yielding or not yielding to cravings, use of substances as medication, pica and food intake, and sensory experiences other than taste. Three themes about olfactory craving of pregnancy were changes in sense of smell during pregnancy, types of craved substances and settings, and escalation in use during pregnancy. The clinical stages of pica and olfactory craving require further investigation, and perinatal caregivers have to seek and remove the barriers that cause pregnant women to isolate themselves with the practices that stem from these cravings.
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:129239
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/129906.html