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Hallucination Quote by Oliver Sacks

“(Hallucination of particularly vile smells is called cacosmia.)” quote by Oliver Sacks
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““(Hallucination of particularly vile smells is called cacosmia.)””

Oliver Sacks

About This Quote

Source Medical essay: “The Smell of Illness,” 1995

Cacosmia is a condition where one perceives foul odors without external source, highlighting sensory distortion.

In simple terms: A brain disorder causes false perception of terrible smells.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and treat sensory hallucinations.

Themes

health neurology perception illness psychology

Mood

clinical empathetic informative

Type

medical scientific educational

When to use this quote

  • clinical diagnosis
  • patient counseling
  • research
  • education

Key Concepts

medical science neuroscience clinical case study

Questions to Reflect On

  • How would you support someone experiencing cacosmia?
  • What does this reveal about brain‑body connections?
A Different Perspective

The description may cause alarm without context of prevalence or treatment options.

2.8 out of 5 (6 ratings)

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