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Users on Reddit have reported a variety of experiences regarding their interest in scents while on GLP-1 medications, with many noting a significantly increased interest or even an obsession with perfumes and other fragrances. This phenomenon is often linked to the timing of starting medications like Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, semaglutide, and tirzepatide.

Experiences with Increased Interest/Obsession with Scents:

Many users describe a newfound or intensified fascination with scents. One user, who started Mounjaro, went from "a single perfume from 20 years ago to over a hundred samples, and about 20 full size bottles. "[32] Another who started tirzepatide in December found themselves craving scented candles and then became "obsessed with buying them," acquiring "about 70 bottles of fragrance in 5 months. "[6]

The onset of this interest often coincides with starting the medication. A user on Ozempic for a year said, "I purchased like 40 bottles of fragrance last year, I’ve never even considered it was related. "[10] Another stated, "I started mounjaro in december and have a serious fragrance hyperfixation since then. I've never been interested before, but i've bought 20+ decants and I'm obsessivly consuming fragnance information most of my time for about two months now so something is definitely up. "[7]

Some users describe it as a shift in obsessions. "Yes, I've been on Zepbound for just over a year and have switched my obsessions from food/alcohol to fragrance. Not mad about it 😁", one user shared. [9] Another noted, "I've noticed that whereas in the past I'd binge on junk food in the evening, now I binge-sniff my perfumes. "[8]

The intensity can be surprising. "YES!!! I hadn't realized until about 6mo ago but I started ozempic Oct 2023, by mid November I was obsessed with perfumes. Now 16 months later and I have over 300 perfumes," a user exclaimed. [21]

Some users who were previously indifferent or even averse to perfumes found a new appreciation. "I’m convinced this is a thing and not just transfer addiction. For me, perfumes smelled nauseating and gave me headaches up until I started taking a glp-1. Now a whole new world has opened up that I never thought was possible for me," one person wrote. [23]

A user who started semaglutide for rheumatoid arthritis said, "since then I have been so much more of a scent girl! I am also autistic and just assumed this was my new hyperfixation. I hadn't made the connection at all. "[14]

Another user on semaglutide noted their "renewed fragrance obsession started around October of 23," coinciding with their medication start date. [15]

One user mentioned, "I never cared about perfume until starting zepbound. "[18]

The experience can be quite specific: "When I smell something good, it's like I'm smelling it with my entire body. "[1]

Some users also report an improved sense of smell: "I do think my sense of smell is better now though and fragrances that used to be super weak to me are now pretty decent. "[19]

Opposite Experiences (Decreased Interest or Aversion):

Not everyone experiences an increased interest. Some report the opposite, where GLP-1s reduce their pre-existing fragrance obsession or cause aversion. "For me it’s the opposite. I was a perfume bubble person... Glp1 has taken away some of my .. let’s call it obsession. The interest had decreased and that spot in my brain has freed up for some more useful stuff other than smelly water," shared one user. [13]

Nausea can play a role in decreased interest. "I’m on semaglutide and I’m having the opposite - I’m less interested in fragrance nowadays. It triggers my nausea. I’ve got a large fragrance collection collecting dust," another user stated. [16]

Another user mentioned, "Directly related to GLP-1 use is my aversion for gourmands and food scents. Now it turns my stomach to smell baked goods and sweet candy smells. "[5]

Theories and Explanations by Users:

Addiction Transfer/Dopamine Seeking: A common theory among users is that the obsession with scents is a form of addiction transfer, where the pleasure previously sought from food is now sought through fragrances. "I’ve heard it’s a transfer addiction and a way of engaging the senses without eating, which makes sense to me," one user on tirzepatide commented. [27] Another said, "i wonder if it has to do with wanting something else to do besides eating? like swapping addictions? "[34]

Heightened Senses/Brain Chemistry: Some speculate it's related to changes in brain chemistry or heightened senses. "One poster cited a study in here that talked about how it’s known that GLP-1’s affect the part of the brain which controls the reward system - obsessive &compulsive behaviors can be affected," one user recalled. [39] Another user with gastroparesis likened their experience to being on a high dose of Ozempic, suggesting the shift to scent obsession is logical because "taste is 3/4 smell, the switch is logical" when taste is understimulated. [28]

Filling a Void/Sensory Stimulation: Users also suggest it's about finding new sensory pleasures. "It’s almost as if my sensory seeking through food now needs a new sensory seeking path," one user with ADHD reflected. [17]

Increased Self-Care: For some, it's part of an overall increase in self-care. "For me, I think it has more been a part of taking more care in my appearance overall," a user on GLP-1s for three years mentioned. [17]

Remedies and Preventions Recommended:

The discussions primarily focus on acknowledging and exploring the phenomenon rather than offering specific remedies, as many users don't view it negatively. However, some points can be inferred:

Awareness and Moderation: Some users acknowledge the financial impact: "OMG, yes! I've spent close to a grand on perfume since starting it! "[25] and another who went "nuts in 2024" noted their purchases went down dramatically when they stopped the medication due to cost, suggesting awareness of spending is important.