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Olfactory Dreams: Phenomenology, Relationship to Volitional Imagery and Odor Identification

Richard J. Stevenson, Trevor I. Case

Imagination, Cognition and Personality September 1, 2004 DOI: 10.2190/r97g-rm98-b58n-duya (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Questionnaire study with a sub-group completing an odor identification test Peer reviewed
Sample size 284
Population Normal participants
Topics Philosophy of mind
Keywords Olfaction Odor Olfactory memory Emotive Cognitive psychology Phenomenology philosophy Sensation Olfactory system Olfactory bulb
Citations 26
Key points Participants who experienced olfactory dreams were significantly better at identifying odors, an effect not mediated by motivational or attentional factors.

Abstract

Phenomenological evidence for olfactory sensation in the absence of appropriate stimulation—imagery—is inconclusive and draws most support from reports of olfactory hallucinations. The current study examined whether more convincing phenomenological evidence could be obtained from normal participants, by studying reports of their olfactory dreams. A questionnaire approach ( N = 284) revealed that olfactory dreams were uncommon, had features similar to actual olfaction (emotive and brief), were representative of odors encountered in everyday life, and were positively related to self-report volitional imagery ability. In addition, a sub-group ( N = 116) also completed an odor identification test. Participants who experienced olfactory dreams were significantly better at identifying odors, an effect not mediated by motivational or attentional factors. These findings suggest people can experience olfactory images although their occurrence may be governed by the strength of connections between olfactory and semantic memory—notoriously weak in olfaction.

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The Phenomenology of Lucid Dreaming: An Online Survey Respondents to an online survey about lucid dreams 2014 Online survey n = 684
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Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Phenomenology, Altered States, Individual Differences, and Well-Being People reporting their most powerful Spontaneous Spiritual or Kundalini Awakening 2021 Mixed within and between-participants self-report survey design n = 152

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