Do you remember if you have olfactory dreams? A content analysis of LOFTER and a questionnaire survey conducted in China

•We investigated the prevalence and content of olfactory dreams in China.•The prevalence of olfactory dreams in the diary dream entries and questionnaire survey participants were 3.95% and 18.70%, respectively.•Most of the odors that emerged in the dreams were ones that the dreamers were familiar with in their daily lives. Dreams often involve visual and auditory sensations, but olfactory experiences have not received the same amount of attention. This study explores the prevalence and content of olfactory dreams in China and investigates the relationship between olfactory imagery, olfactory significance, and olfactory dreamers. In the first part of the study, 4302 dream records from LOFTER were screened and classified to preliminarily identify the prevalence and content of olfactory dreams. In the second part, 718 participants completed an online questionnaire about olfactory dreams, imagery, and significance. The prevalence of olfactory dreams in the diary dream entries and questionnaire survey participants were 3.95% and 18.70%, respectively. Instances in which odors appeared in dreams were more positive than negative and were mainly related to food, burning and smoke, body odor, nature, and certain environments and objects. Moreover, individuals with olfactory dreams showed better olfactory imagery, and stronger olfactory significance. Olfactory sensations occurred in the dreams of Chinese individuals, but their prevalence was very low. Most of the odors that emerged in these dreams were ones that the dreamers were familiar with in their daily lives.