Can I Retrain My Brain?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day – "Can I Retrain My Brain?"

Episode Release Date: May 18, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Dr. Laura Call of the Day", Dr. Laura Schlessinger addresses a pressing issue brought forth by one of her listeners: the persistent loss of smell and taste following COVID-19 infection. The discussion delves into the challenges of sensory loss, the limitations of medical interventions, and explores alternative methods like hypnotherapy to retrain the brain.

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Listener's Struggle with Sensory Loss

The episode opens with a heartfelt call from a listener who has been grappling with the loss of smell and a significant reduction in taste for four years, following multiple COVID-19 infections. Despite undergoing surgery to address an infection in her facial region, her senses have not returned.

• Listener Commentary [01:29]:

  "I have no smell whatsoever and I really miss it. And I even had surgery at the end of 2023."

• Further Explanation [01:52]: The listener explains that pre-COVID, an MRI revealed significant abnormalities ("it was all white") in her face, prompting surgical intervention to "clean all that out." Unfortunately, despite these efforts, her sense of smell remains absent.

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Exploring Hypnotherapy as a Solution

Dr. Laura responds empathetically, suggesting hypnotherapy as a viable method to potentially retrain her brain to regain the sense of smell.

• Dr. Laura's Recommendation [03:20]:

  "I like that. You have to get somebody very talented in this. I like it."

• Advice on Finding a Hypnotherapist [03:47]: Dr. Laura advises the listener to seek a qualified professional with credentials in both counseling or psychotherapy and hypnotherapy, acknowledging that insurance typically does not cover such treatments.

• Encouragement and Positive Outlook [04:00]:

  "The brain can do whatever it damn well pleases. I like this. This is a very good idea."

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Techniques and Potential Outcomes

The conversation shifts to practical techniques that could aid in sensory retraining. Dr. Laura suggests methods such as using scented paper strips to evoke memories of specific smells, thereby helping the brain to relearn these sensory associations.

• Practical Application [06:41]:

  "You can do this in the office. You can bring in sort of things. Also they have little sheets of paper with quote smells on them."

• Emphasis on Positive Association [08:33]:

  "It doesn't have to be specific, it only has to be positive."

Dr. Laura underscores the importance of emotional connections in this retraining process, asserting that the brain's emotional responses can significantly influence sensory perception.

• Emotional Connection [08:54]:

  "Think of walking into cinnamon raisin bread coming out of the oven. It's an emotional thing, not just a physiological experience."

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Addressing Taste Loss and Dietary Adjustments

The listener also expresses concerns about limited taste, particularly in relation to texture and the inability to taste certain foods, which affects her eating habits and choices.

• Listener's Dietary Challenges [09:14]:

  "Texture. I like really crunchy. I like really cold. Yeah, I just. I eat for texture, and I kind of try to remember."

Dr. Laura acknowledges the interconnectedness of smell and taste, suggesting that improving the sense of smell might also enhance the sensation of taste, as olfactory cues significantly contribute to flavor perception.

• Dr. Laura on Taste and Smell Connection [09:29]:

  "I think some of our taste comes from being able to smell it. Because you salivate."

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Dr. Laura’s Anecdotal Insights on Hypnosis

Dr. Laura shares a personal anecdote to illustrate the power of hypnosis, reinforcing her belief in the brain's capacity to heal and adapt.

• Personal Story [11:10]:

  "I remember at one time I was finishing up when I was in private practice a million and a half years ago... It's a very powerful tool."

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Conclusion and Encouragement

Concluding the episode, Dr. Laura encourages the listener to proceed with hypnotherapy and to keep her updated on her progress, highlighting the potential benefits not only for herself but also for others facing similar challenges.

• Final Encouragement [11:02]:

  "So I bet you will make progress. Will it be perfect? No, I guarantee you it will not be perfect. But I really believe you can make progress and start enjoying some things more."

• Call to Action [12:00]: Dr. Laura invites listeners to reach out for more personalized advice and to engage with her through social media for ongoing support and information.

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Key Takeaways

• Persistence in Overcoming Sensory Loss: The episode underscores the resilience required to cope with long-term sensory deficits and the importance of exploring alternative therapies when conventional methods fall short.

• The Power of the Brain: Dr. Laura emphasizes the brain's remarkable ability to adapt and heal through positive reinforcement and mental conditioning.

• Holistic Approach to Health: The discussion advocates for a comprehensive approach to health, integrating both medical interventions and psychological techniques to enhance overall well-being.

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Notable Quotes

• Dr. Laura [03:20]:

  "The brain can do whatever it damn well pleases."

• Listener [01:29]:

  "I have no smell whatsoever and I really miss it."

• Dr. Laura [08:54]:

  "Think of walking into cinnamon raisin bread coming out of the oven. It's an emotional thing, not just a physiological experience."

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Further Engagement

Listeners interested in exploring similar issues or seeking personalized advice are encouraged to contact Dr. Laura directly at 1-800-375-2872 or connect via her Facebook and Instagram accounts.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the insightful discussion between Dr. Laura and her caller about retraining the brain to recover lost senses.

Transcript

[Dr. Laura]

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[Caller]

Yes, hi Dr. Laura. Thank you for taking my call.

[Dr. Laura]

Thank you. What can I help you with?

[Caller]

So probably about four years ago I lost my smell and pretty much most of my taste from COVID I guess that's what they said. That's what they, they just diagnosed me the ear, nose and throat. Diagnosing it was, it was about six months before COVID really hit. She just said you've caught some kind of a virus. We don't know what it is. And so we, you know, then Covid hit and couldn't go to the doctor. Couldn't. But my smell never came back. Taste is very minimal. So going on like four years, I mean I have no smell whatsoever and I really miss it. And I even had surgery at the end of 2023.

[Dr. Laura]

What sort of surgery?

[Caller]

She said I had like infection that she in on one side of my face that she thought maybe that had something to do with the smell being absent.

[Dr. Laura]

What did they cut surgery? What did they cut for an infection? I don't understand.

[Caller]

I guess they went in, I guess on my mri my. It was all white. And she said we need to go in there and clean all that out. So I was, I had Covid like three times. I was really sick a couple of times with it. And she said let's Just go in there and clean it all out. So that's what they did. So. But it didn't work. And no smell. It never came back. And she said, that's our last chance. She said, you're done. So. So now I'm wondering if I should get hypnotized. Maybe remember smell to make it a little less.

[Dr. Laura]

Yeah, I like that. I like that. That's a very good idea. You have to get somebody very talented in this. I like it.

[Caller]

Yeah, that's. That's the problem. I'm trying to find somebody, and insurance doesn't want to pay for it, but I'm trying to find somebody really good. I was just like, this will.

[Dr. Laura]

Yeah. This will not be covered by insurance. Yeah.

[Caller]

Right.

[Dr. Laura]

So you need to find somebody who has a license in some kind of counseling or psychotherapy, who also has some credentials in hypnotherapy. I did that. I added hypnotherapy on, and I found it a powerful tool. The brain can do whatever it damn well pleases. I like this. This is a very good idea. Managing your health can be difficult, but pharmacy delivery from Walmart now makes it easier. Whether you're down with a sinus infection, have a chronic condition, or just a time crunch, choose express delivery and your meds will be at your door in as fast as an hour. Prescriptions delivered fast. Welcome to your Walmart. Excludes pharmacy processing, time restrictions, exclusions and fees apply. Did you know that skin care can start in the laundry room? The Dr. Laura program is happy to be partnering with our sponsor, All Free Clear laundry detergent. My peeps with kids are especially thrilled to use it because it's 100% free of dyes and perfumes. All Free Clear is the number one laundry detergent brand recommended for sensitive skin by pediatricians, dermatologists and allergists. For a clean you can feel good about, all you need is All Free Clear. Every day, our world gets a little more connected, but a little further apart. But then there are more moments that remind us to be more human. Thank you for calling Ameca Insurance. Hey, I was just in an accident.

[Caller]

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[Dr. Laura]

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[Caller]

Okay, so that sounds encouraging. I would just really like to remember the smell of puppy breath and, you know, baking cookies and stuff. Even if I can't taste, I would like to remember the smell. So I was wondering if that's.

[Dr. Laura]

You can do this in the office. You can bring in sort of things. Also they have little sheets of paper with quote smells on them. You just have to scratch it. But yeah, I bet you could retrain your brain. If you look at something and know what it's supposed to smell like, you could probably. I'm very, very positive about this.

[Caller]

Okay. All right, that's what I'm going to do then. I'm going to find the best person I can find for it, then the best doctor and go for it.

[Dr. Laura]

I think it's wonderful. Keep me apprised. What a great idea. Generally speaking, the smell issue, in about two years, everybody was back to normal. Unfortunately, you were one of the few for whom it lasted four. I don't know what they cut into on your face. Caused me kind of worried, but you have beautiful idea.

[Caller]

Okay. All right. Well, that's my answer. So wonderful. Thank you so much. I'll keep you informed how it goes.

[Dr. Laura]

You know, they had all kinds of studies where they give people an injection of nothing and tell them it's pain relief.

[Caller]

Placebos.

[Dr. Laura]

Yeah, placebos. Placebos. The brain is willing to do that. So there seems to be absolutely no reason your brain can't do this.

[Caller]

And you don't think the four years that maybe I forgot. Sometimes I'll look at something and I'll think, I know what it smells like.

[Dr. Laura]

You know, it doesn't matter as long as you have it relate to something that you think is good.

[Caller]

Okay.

[Dr. Laura]

Unless, of course, you want to do garlic, in which case I think that's individual. I would go, ah, I don't want to do that. So you know you're not going. You may not remember the specific, but you could associate something positive to it. Do you see what I mean? It doesn't have to be specific, it only has to be positive.

[Caller]

Right.

[Dr. Laura]

But trust me, your brain. Close your eyes unless you're driving. Think of, I bake bread a lot. Think of walking into cinnamon raisin bread coming out of the oven. It's an emotional thing, not just a physiological experience.

[Caller]

Yeah, well, that's. I feel that way now. Taste. My taste is very limited. Do you think it would work the same with my taste?

[Dr. Laura]

That I don't know. But I think some of our taste comes from being able to smell it. Because you salivate.

[Caller]

Right? Right. So, okay, well, hopefully that'll work for both.

[Dr. Laura]

So I bet you will make progress. Will it be perfect? No, I guarantee you it will not be perfect. But I really believe you can make progress and start enjoying some things more. So what gives you an appetite? How do you work on eating?

[Caller]

Texture. I like really crunchy. I like really cold. Yeah, I just. I eat for texture, and I kind of try to remember. Oh, yeah, you know, I used to like this, so I must like it now. Yeah. And, like, I can drink alcohol and not taste it, and that's, you know, probably not a good thing. And I can eat fatty foods and not really.

[Dr. Laura]

Not a good thing.

[Caller]

Yeah, yeah.

[Dr. Laura]

No, I took down 16 ounces of water. Oh, it was gin.

[Caller]

Yeah. So. But like, hot sauce and things I can, like. I never could stomach spicy. Now my husband laughs. He's like, oh, my gosh, there's something wrong with you. Because, yeah, I can. It doesn't bother me. Something now, so.

[Dr. Laura]

Got it. Okay. All right, sweetheart, get back to me.

[Caller]

I will. I'll let you know how it works.

[Dr. Laura]

Because we might be able to help other people.

[Caller]

Okay. So, yeah, I will definitely call back in and let you know who I find and how it go, how it goes.

[Dr. Laura]

Good. Excellent. Yeah, that's really a very good idea she came up with. God, would I have thought of that? I don't know. Glad she asked the question and gave the answer first. I'm not sure, but hypnosis is used for all sorts of things. Feeling pain, imagining. You can feel something, do something, think of something. It's amazing. I remember at one time I was finishing up when I was in private practice a million and a half years ago, and my husband came to my office and said, oh, my gosh, I don't know where I left my wallet. So I said, okay, sit in the chair, put your hands on your knees. Relax. And I sort of went through the day backwards. And all of a sudden he just popped open his eyes and went, oh, I know where I left it. And out the door he went. It's a very powerful tool. So my number one, 800-37528. 72. I've always been impressed with how much the brain can do, good and bad. The only way I see this thing, the only way I feel this thing, the only way I know this thing, and it becomes very negative recycling of something bad. Remember when I opened the well, if you just tuned in, you don't. When I opened the program and talked about how kids learn, how they generalize. So if they tried to take a cookie away from a puppy and the puppy just sort of nipped and scared them, then, my gosh, they generalize that all dogs are bad. And you hear you can't trust a dog. You can't be near a dog. Dogs are dangerous. Same with people. Can't trust a person, can't trust men, can't trust women. Can't trust the situation. We tend to generalize, but that's a very unsophisticated activity of the brain. So if you'd like to get more sophisticated, give me a call. My number 1-800-375-2872. Check out my social media on Facebook and Instagram. I post stories, photos and videos seven days a week and feature some of what you sent me too. There's always something interesting going on there. You can find me at facebook.com drlaura and instagram.com drlauraprogram.

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