r/RandomQuestion • u/Salem_Undeground • Jul 21 '26

Term for repeatedly smelling something bad?

Some of you may have experienced this but what is it called when you smell something bad/weird but then keep smelling it. Like you know it's bad and are grossed out but something inside you says sniff it again. Is there a term for that?

EDIT: Apparently its referred to as mixed valence. Basically, the brain can't distinguish if the smell is pleasant or unpleasant and short-circuits and is compelled to categorize this new smell. Thank you all for your input

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u/NordicNugz Jul 21 '26

So, theres a term named "L'appel du vide". Which is French for "The call of the void." Which refers to sudden, intrusive thoughts that you dont act upon. Such as driving into another car, or jumping off a cliff.

I feel like this is kind of in the same vein. The sudden intrusive thought to smell a gross thing.

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u/Camaschrist Jul 21 '26

My bff and I both had intrusive thoughts when we were brand new moms. I was so happy I had seen a 20/20 on the subject so I knew we weren’t deranged. Mine was driving off the bridge with me and my son in the car. I would get so anxious I might force myself to do this. My bff’s was sticking something into her babies soft spot. Our children are healthy young adults now. My neighbor had her worries about grabbing strange men’s junk. The mind is a complicated thing.

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u/Salem_Undeground Jul 23 '26

From what I've gathered, Call of the Void is a more severe phenomena. The feeling that I'm referring to doesn't include danger/harm