Podcast Summary: Chasing Life

Host: Dr. Sanjay Gupta (CNN Podcasts)
Episode: Can Sense of Smell Be Recovered After Covid-19?
Date: January 6, 2026

Overview

In this informative episode, Dr. Sanjay Gupta addresses two health conditions: the persistent loss of taste and smell after Covid-19 (anosmia and ageusia), and the rising incidence of Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) among young people. The episode begins with an in-depth Q&A for listeners still coping with anosmia years after Covid infection, featuring insights from otolaryngologist Dr. Zahra Patel. Later, Gupta discusses CHS after a listener shares her daughter’s experience with severe cyclic vomiting linked to heavy marijuana vaping.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Persistent Loss of Taste and Smell Post-Covid

(Main segment: 00:25–09:36)

The Prevalence and Impact

• Background:

  • Covid-19 commonly caused anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste), especially during its early variants.
  • Approximately 80% experienced smell/taste loss during initial Covid waves; fell to ~36% with Omicron (01:44).
  • A 2023 study found up to a quarter of those affected had not fully recovered their senses (01:44).

• Relation Between Smell and Taste:

  • Recent studies confirm long-term taste loss is often due to olfactory (smell) system damage, not the taste system itself (02:40).
  • Other potential causes include neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s), medications, nasal polyps, sinus infections, and smoking (03:20).

• Life Impact:

  • Loss of these senses affects nutrition, safety (e.g., risk of food poisoning), and overall quality of life, sometimes increasing tendencies to oversalt or oversugar food, raising health risks (03:54).

Emotional & Social Consequences

• “You really don’t know until it’s gone...how truly impactful that is to people’s quality of life and the way in which we relate to each other.” – Dr. Zahra Patel (04:54)

2. Mechanisms & Hope for Recovery

Regeneration Potential

• Olfactory neurons can regenerate approximately every 3–4 months, but need proper support from other cells, which Covid can damage (05:50).

Olfactory Training: Science & Method

• "It’s really just a structured smelling protocol..." – Dr. Zahra Patel (06:56)

• Process:

  • Use four essential oils (rose, lemon, eucalyptus, clove), each from a different odor category.
  • “You bring it to your nose...breathe normally...focus your memory on what that smell used to smell like to you. That’s a very integral and key component...” – Dr. Patel (07:20)
  • Rotate through the scents for 20–30 seconds each, twice daily (08:18).
  • Continue for at least 24 weeks. Progress is slow and incremental.

• “It’s not going to be quick or sudden. It will take discipline, patience, and time. Expect progress to be incremental.” – Dr. Sanjay Gupta (08:18)

Additional Therapies

• Steroid Rinse:

  • Nasal irrigation with steroids can boost efficacy when added to olfactory training (09:18).
  • “The steroid irrigation...does have significantly increased efficacy versus just olfactory training itself.” – Dr. Zahra Patel (09:18)

• Clinical Outlook:

  • Early evidence for treatments like platelet-rich plasma injections, but more research is required (09:36).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Quality of Life:

  • “Meals will lose their appeal, which puts a person at risk of unhealthy weight loss...Loss of smell and taste can increase your risk of food poisoning.” – Dr. Sanjay Gupta (03:54)

• On Regeneration:

  • “About every three to four months, the nerves die off and new nerves take over. And this is happening continuously throughout the course of our life.” – Dr. Sanjay Gupta (05:50)

• On Treatment Approach:

  • “If you had a stroke and you lost function of an arm, you would go to physical therapy and do rehab...It’s the same idea about your sense of smell.” – Dr. Zahra Patel (06:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:25: Listener Marlene describes long-term loss of smell/taste after Covid
• 01:44: Discussing prevalence, statistics, and study findings about anosmia
• 03:54: Effects on nutrition, safety, and well-being
• 04:54: Dr. Zahra Patel on the underappreciated impact of smell loss
• 06:25: Science of nerve regeneration in the olfactory system
• 06:56: Deep dive: Olfactory training protocol explained
• 08:18: Guidance on realistic expectations, duration, and frequency of training
• 09:18: Combining olfactory training with steroid nasal rinses
• 09:36: Brief mention of emerging treatments (platelet-rich plasma)

Segment Summary: Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS)

(10:18–End)

• Listener Jen shares her 20-year-old daughter's ordeal with severe, unexplained vomiting—eventually diagnosed as CHS tied to heavy marijuana vaping (10:28).
• CHS Explained:
  • CHS (Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome): Characterized by cyclical, severe vomiting and abdominal pain among chronic cannabis users (11:21).
  • Nicknamed “scromiting” (screaming + vomiting) on social media.
  • Increasing over past years, potentially due to rising THC concentrations: From 4–5% (1990s) to up to 20% today (11:57).
• Treatment:
  • Hospitalization for IV fluids, anti-nausea medication, rule out other causes via tests (12:30).
  • Temporary relief with hot showers, reason unclear (12:50).
  • Only proven “cure”: Ceasing cannabis use (13:23).

Conclusion

Dr. Gupta provides both hope and realism for those struggling with post-Covid anosmia: While solutions are slow and require discipline, recovery is possible for some through olfactory training and adjunct therapies. For parents and young adults, the warning about CHS underscores the importance of recognizing new dangers as cannabis products become more potent and widely used.

Further Resources

• For olfactory training: Seek guidance from an ENT specialist for personalized plans and proper technique.
• For CHS & cyclical vomiting: Consult healthcare professionals; cessation of cannabis is currently the only known solution.

Summary by [your assistant], based on the "Chasing Life" episode aired January 6, 2026.