Users of Ozempic and other GLP-1 weight-loss injections are reporting a significant change in their sense of smell.
An increasing proportion of users are saying they are being drawn to extremely sweet, dessert-inspired scents — think caramel glaze, toasted marshmallow, and vanilla frosting.
This phenomenon, known as the ‘Ozempic Smell’ is causing some to wonder if these potent appetite suppressants are quietly rewiring our senses.
Strange as that may sound, there may be more going on here than just coincidence.
With over 500,000 weight-loss injection users in the UK and over 12 per cent of Americans apparently having tried them, the sweet-scented rise coincides with a thriving gourmand fragrance sector that is currently valued at over £24 billion worldwide and growing quickly, according to DailyMail.
Researchers are starting to look into a potential link between GLP-1 medications and changes in perception, especially in the areas of taste and smell.
By imitating a hormone that aids in blood sugar regulation and satiety, these medications, which were first created to treat diabetes, decrease appetite.
However, the brain regions responsible for processing taste and smell have receptors for the same hormone, GLP-1. This suggests that the effects might go well beyond merely reducing appetite.
Read also: What are the most concerning Ozempic side effects?
According to one study note, “studies confirm our smell can be affected by GLP-1 agonists – leading to increased and decreased sensitivity”.
Users frequently report that they no longer crave sugar but are instead lured to products with sweet scents.
It might be a component of a larger neurochemical change, according to aesthetic physician Dr Priya Verma, who spoke to the Financial Express.
Dr Verma said: “Your appetite for certain foods or tastes is very likely to change. If patients who are using Ozempic (or any other weight-loss injection) are having a lower oral sugar intake, it may be that they are looking to satiate the appetite receptors for those sweeter scents through a different means.”
It is well-documented that sweet scents are associated with pleasure. Similar to delicious delights, gourmand scents contain notes of cherry, praline, vanilla, and chocolate, which can cause the brain to produce dopamine.
Jonnie Swarbrick, the creative director at Fragrance Du Bois revealed in a statement: “The rise of gourmand fragrances has been undeniable. We have seen increased demand for scents that smell edible – sweet, warm, and nostalgic.”
Some of the most well-liked products on the market are sweet scents, such as Sabrina Carpenter's Sweet Tooth, which smells like chocolate and marshmallow, and Sol de Janeiro's Cheirosa 71, which contains pistachio, caramelised vanilla, and white chocolate.
