In a study published in APL Bioengineering, researchers from Hanyang University and Kwangwoon University in South Korea introduced a simple and painless way to improve the sense of smell using radio waves.

Unlike traditional aroma-based therapy, which indirectly treats smell loss by exposing the patient to chemicals, radio waves can directly target the part of our brain responsible for smell, without causing pain.

“The method is completely noninvasive—no surgery or chemicals needed—and safe, as it does not overheat the skin or cause discomfort,” author Yonwoong Jang said.

In the study, the team asked volunteers with a healthy sense of smell to sit while a small radio antenna was placed near, but not touching, their forehead. For five minutes, this antenna gently sent out radio waves to reach the smell-related nerves deep in the brain.