Final answer:
When you no longer detect an odor after being exposed to it for a long time, it is called sensory adaptation. Anosmia is a different condition that refers to the total loss of smell, which can be caused by head trauma or age-related decline in olfactory neuron regeneration.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you no longer detect an odor after lengthy exposure, this phenomenon is called sensory adaptation. This occurs when sensory receptors become less sensitive to constant stimuli, which is different from anosmia, which is the complete loss of the sense of smell. Anosmia can result from blunt force trauma to the head or from the natural aging process, where the regeneration of olfactory sensory neurons declines. Foods might taste bland to those with anosmia because the olfactory system works in conjunction with the gustatory system to create the perception of flavor. It is possible to temporarily improve taste by adding ingredients that stimulate the gustatory sense, such as salt. Testing for anosmia involves presenting common smells to one nostril at a time to confirm the function of the olfactory system.