A father from Lichfield has regained his sense of taste and smell after participating in a groundbreaking clinical trial using specially developed chewing gum. Dr Paul Wicks, 44, lost both senses after contracting Covid-19 in August 2022, leaving him unable to taste even the spiciest curries or smell dirty nappies.
Life Without Taste and Smell
For nearly two years, Dr Wicks lived without the ability to enjoy his favorite foods, coffee, or the scent of his children's hair. He described the experience as making the world feel 'a bit grey.' Despite trying various remedies, nothing worked until he joined a pilot study at the University of Nottingham.
The Chewing Gum Trial
The trial, designed by Dr Nicole Yang, involved 16 participants chewing flavored chewing gums for 12 weeks. The gums were formulated with super-strength flavors including spicy, minty, sour, and sweet, designed to stimulate the brain's connections associated with smell and taste.
Dr Wicks chewed the gums every morning and evening. After six weeks, he noticed a change when he tasted a blueberry in his oatmeal. 'This sweet flavour exploded,' he said. 'That was the first time I had tasted my breakfast in years.'
Remarkable Results
By the end of the trial, Dr Wicks' senses had fully returned to pre-Covid levels. He now enjoys smelling coffee beans, cut grass, and even the bin. 'When you lose something and then get it back, it gives you a new appreciation,' he said. 'I literally stop and smell the roses.'
The pilot study showed significant improvements: 67% of participants reported better smell, and 83% reported better taste. The decentralized trial allowed participants to take part from home.
Future Hopes
Dr Yang and her team are now seeking funding for a larger trial. Dr Wicks, who learned about the study through the charity SmellTaste, hopes the treatment can help others who have lost their senses due to Covid.
