Aversion / phobia of mint flavours and odours?

Hi Leonie

Your client might have associated the smell of mints to something else - possible something she doesn't even consciously remember. How long has she had this fear/aversion? Does it remind her of anyone? You could try using regression or ideomotor signals to get to the cause of this and deal with whatever comes up. Or it might be useful to have her vividly imagine the smell of mints and ask her to link and connect it to something else (the first thing that comes to mind is usually the best) and repeat this process with whatever she thinks about until you reach a catalyst.

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Thanks for your response, Faith. She seems to have had an aversion since early childhood. I'm wondering if she had either over-zealous parenting with the toothpaste/brushing, or as you mentioned, if she associates it with someone. We definitely need to do some further analysis and I'm going to use the NLP swish as an additional technique.
Thanks again.

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My son, now 28 has always had a strong aversion to mint. He is a very well adjusted individual. As soon as he was old enough to notice and react to smells, he show his distaste for mint. To this day, he uses a child's toothpaste - bubble gum flavour and simply removes the label so as not to get razzed by his fellow officers. I was always perplexed by his aversion but recently I'm beginning to think that it's worth considering genetic factors as has recently been studied for cilantro aversion.. which by the way, is my own bugaboo. Just food for thought.. so to speak.

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i have the same aversion. i now stay indoors. there is no cure. i like natural smells; i can clean out a cat litter tray whilst eating. i have been scared of the smell of mint as long as i can remember; i can't even say the word, and the smell is everywhere. i've given in now to the fear and like it indoors where i feel safe. please tell me what you think to the smell. i can't think of a worst smell; it makes me vomit, and i feel ashamed for the people who suck mints. i don't know why they do it

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Hi there. I haven't as yet had someone present with this phobia but in the absence of any conscious memory of a trauma (that clears the problem) I would regress them back to the cause and use a clearing technique. Hope this helps.

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Ever since I was a kid the smell of mint, especially from gum chewing makes me extremely uncomfortable to the point even where I've insulted my friends for chewing it. My boyfriend tried to play a joke on me and was brushing his teeth while I was in the other room watching tv. He came and dripped his toothpaste "foam" on my arm and I ran screaming into the shower. I had to get the smell off of me. I started to cry and I think he got the message.

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I have a 10 year old girl with the same issue. She doesn't like if we chew gum, have a mint....she doesn't like any kind of candy and today she got very upset because I came close to her unintentionally while I was chewing gum. Any recommendations? I will love to help her overgrow this problem/issue.

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I am having the same issues with my 5 year old. She has hated mint since she was a baby. We can't even chew gum in the same car because she will literally make everyone throw their gum out. God forbid we say no.. she will be screaming and crying till we reach our destination. We just had an episode this morning where I told her to brush her teeth but she wouldn't touch her tube of toothpaste because it was sitting on top of mine. I literally had to go into the bathroom and grab her tube of toothpaste so she can use it. I'm a afraid of the kids in her school find out about this the situation might get out of hand. Children can be cruel sometimes and I just don't want her to have a hard time. 😔

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I'm pregnant and now have developed a sudden aversion to anything mint flavored or smelling among other things. I learned that toothpaste aversion is actually very common for pregnant women. Considering the hormones legitimately through things out of wack, I would consider this persons aversion pretty legit and not psychosomatic. Just a thought. This persons hormones could be causing the aversion-- got to be a biological reason here folks.

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I'm pregnant and now have developed a sudden aversion to anything mint flavored or smelling among other things. I learned that toothpaste aversion is actually very common for pregnant women. Considering the hormones legitimately through things out of wack, I would consider this persons aversion pretty legit and not psychosomatic. Just a thought. This persons hormones could be causing the aversion-- got to be a biological reason here folks.

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I've had this problem ever since I can remember and my family thinks I'm being dumb but it's a legitimate problem. I'm 18 now and still use a bland children's toothpaste (which I don't like but I can at least tolerate), and this has led to poor overall dental hygiene. I can't stand mint gum, which has made every other kind of gum also unappealing. When people offer me a mint or a piece of gum I politely say "no thanks" and quickly turn away to throw up a little in my mouth. I can't touch minty things either because the scent is strong and will linger on my fingers. I get vicious headaches when family members or friends are chewing or sucking on mint near me. My breath is bad frequently but I don't know what to do about it. The only other common toothpaste flavors are bubblegum and cinnamon but bubblegum is a gum (which I can't stand) and I also hate cinnamon. The ONLY mint I've ever been able to tolerate is Andes Mints, but that's only because I have a deep love for chocolate. I want to find a new toothpaste because it will be extremely embarrassing when my friends find out the kind I use, but there are no good adult flavors I've been able to find. I've seen an orange kind but it still has a bit of mint so I don't want to try it, and I've seen flavorless kinds but they also are fluoride-less, which I don't want to try because I had bad cavities as a kid using fluoride-less toothpaste. Any suggestions?

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I have this too, and have traced it to my distaste for gum. The sickly sweet smell of mint makes me think of chewed gum and other people's mouths and saliva and I just CANNOT even be around it. Brushing my teeth is a nightmare because EVERYTHING is mint-flavored and I have to put it in my mouth and just...YUCK

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I'm pleased to read so many other mint haters. I have had this issue my whole life. Cannot be near anybody that smells like mint or is chewing gum. Battled with toothpaste for years. What I do now is rinse my mouth with a clove fragrance mouth wash. It has a strong numbing effect on my taste senses so I can now brush my teeth. Even though I still hate it. My husband keeps telling me to see a psychologist. I get irritated and aggressive with anybody who teases me. I get totally irrational and emotional if the smell comes anywhere near me. Don't put me on a plane next to somebody chewing mint. The list goes on.......... I hate the stuff.

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At least rule out a chemical sensitivity by asking her to smell FRESH MINT in the fresh produce section of the grocery store. If that doesn't bother her, then it's not a psychological problem and she could be reacting to a chemical such as mint artificial flavoring, menthol, BHA or BHT.

I brush alternating Hydrogen Peroxide 3% and Coconut Oil -- and chew fresh mint to freshen my breath. Toothpaste, mint chewing gum and other "mint flavored" things make me physically ill (runny nose, drainage, coughing, vomiiting) depending upon the potency of the exposure and whether it's in my own mouth or I'm just inhaling it from someone else's use.

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I should have also mentioned fluoride as a culprit.

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ME TOO im absolutely scared of the word small and even touching it idk why

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I too have had this olfactophobia. Mint, gum, even gum wrappers, hard candy, any candy that's not chocolate, I can even watch gum n mint commercials on TV. I avoid all, the toothbrushing I have conquered ... I buy Crest Citrus Splash toothpaste online. Granted you have to buy in bulk, but well worth it. Hope that helps someone.

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Please check out our Fear of Mints script download at: https://www.hypnoticworld.com/hypnosis-scripts/fears-phobias/fear-of-mints . If anyone wants this as an audio file please let me know and I'll see if my recording artiste can prepare it.

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Wow!! I'm not alone!! This has been a lifelong problem for me. Can't say the words, can barely type them, mint, gum, yuk!! I get mean around that smell. Cannot stand to even see someone on tv brushing their teeth (mint) or chewing gum. I'm scowling as I write this. HATE to share a bathroom because if sink smells and wet sinks. I will be 60 this year, guess I'm not going to outgrow it. 🤨 glad I'm not alone. Thanks

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I have this aversion as well. I have to think about something else while I’m brushing my teeth or I’ll gag. I would lose my mind if someone brushed their teeth around something I was drinking.
And when I’ve opened my mother’s purse and the chewing gum smell hits me? Oh my Lord. Barf. I absolutely cannot stand to have anyone chew gum around me. And if I get a whiff of the mint...nope.

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Hi. I know this is old, but I had to respond. I CANNOT handle mint, to the point of excusing myself if someone in the room is chewing gum. I get orange flavored toothpaste. Everyone always acts like I’m weird. This is the first time I’ve seen someone mention the issue presenting in another person.

Over the years, I wasn’t sure if I had a phobia or a slight allergy, as the cooling effect can feel like your throat is closing up. But I realized recently on my own that this has to be a phobia. I believe I am experiencing trauma from when I was a child. I vividly remember someone giving me 2 full listerine strips that immediately stuck to the roof of my mouth. I was crying and freaking out, as it was so numb in my mouth and throat.

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Honestly, even though reading these posts is making me feel nauseous because I'm being forced to think about it, I am SO pleased to hear it isn't just me!! The smell, the taste, the sight, the word, even just the idea of it makes me so uncomfortable. My partner doesn't like keeping his toothbrush inside the bathroom, so keeps it in his washbag in the living room... And it is ALL I CAN SMELL. I can't even kiss him when he's brushed his teeth. It's such a horrible phobia because it's such a natural thing to everyone else. I just wish there was a way to get rid of the phobia!!
Also... Euthymol has saved my life. (Weirdly enough, my mum was addicted to it when she was pregnant with me!)

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I use Euthymol toothpaste. It’s a great alternative. I have the same issue with mint, everyone around me seem to eat or chew it. It actually makes me angry if it’s anywhere near me.
Give Euthymol a go, works really well

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I am living proof that my extreme aversion to mint is not psychological, but biological. My mom always loved mint stuff... until she became pregnant with me. During that time, she couldn't even walk past a tube of toothpaste without emptying the contents of her stomach into the nearby toilet. I was born and she returned easily to eating and brushing with that horrific plant. All my life I have despised the taste, smell and being in the general vicinity of the stuff to the point of nearly vomiting. I use close up toothpaste. Also, do previous posters have a similar aversion to cucumbers, watermelon, cilantro, kale and cauliflower? Needless to say, pretty much all Mediterranean food is out for me.

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Desensitize it using a third person view protocol

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I thought I had seen a lot...

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Hi Leonie, we have a script for this issue on Hypnotic World at https://www.hypnoticworld.com/hypnosis-scripts/fears-phobias/fear-of-mints

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I'm exactly the same and its reassuring to know I'm not the only one

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I would think it would be the same as a person who has an aversion for others' scents and colognes. It's a controlling personality who wants to control outside her scope. I've found it linked with some anxiety/OCD behaviors also and personalities with not enough going on in their life. They don't have enough to do, so they sweat the small stuff. So you could do a script with forget to remember and remember to forget and thinking about all the things we forget about. Like what we had for dinner a few nights ago, just not important...and get them more involved with her bigger picture of life, living out her best dreams instead, etc.

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Bit late here , but wow I was in stitches laughing over this. It's like I typed it everything you said is how I feel and I've always thought I'm the only one in the world who hates mint and bubblegum . So have you figured out a way around this as I'm 27 and still battle the toothpaste problem....

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Hello I’m 11 and have the same problem I never really had a problem at school only outside of school when friends of mine chew minty gum especially in the car and when I ask them to stop they refuse and sometimes it gets really bad I start gagging all you have to do is make sure she hangs around the right people

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I would agree with the suggestion that for most of the people who posted on here about mint aversion, that it has an association orientation, if they have Know recollection or idea of why they have such a negative reaction to the smell of mint, then possibly during the imprint period 0-7 they had a negative experience of someone who may have chewed gum or had peppermint sweets, I would suggest a timeline session to find the cause of the aversion, then release any negative association, and release any negative emotions associate with the cause. It does sound association orientated, from a past negative experience,

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My girlfriend and I just got into a huge argument. The smell of mint and gum chewing just really bothers me. I don't know why it does at all, I smell it and my head starts to hurt and I get this gross pit in my stomach. We are fighting literally right now because she told me she brushes her teeth less and is going to get rid of the gum because my not wanting to be around the smell makes her feel unloved. I feel awful about that. I don't want her to feel unloved because I can't be around the smell. This is driving my crazy. She put some chewed gum in a soda can in my car and when I realized it, I asked her to throw it out when she went down to the car and the way she looked at me made me feel so crappy. I hate myself because of this and I don't know what to do anymore.

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John, get treatment. There are solutions out there, you don't have to put up with this

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I'm SO happy this wasn't just me. I know this thread is pretty old, but I had to comment.

When I was little, I couldn't STAND to be near mint at all. If there was any trace of mint anywhere, I would go into full-blown panic mode until it was gone. Mint chocolate, toothpaste, candy canes, gum, all of these made me panic. I even avoided the lingering smell on people's breath.

I love any gum that isn't mint and haven't had any problems with a dentist. I've always had great oral health and have never even had a cavity. The name doesn't bother me, and although the thought of it made me uncomfortable, it wasn't fear per se.

I've mostly gotten over the fear, but it's turned into a strong dislike. I use cinnamon toothpaste that I order online and still decline any gum offered to me. I actually like mint chocolate now and don't mind it if it isn't too strong.

Other similar plants never bothered me, such as catnip or parsley. I never liked fresh mint and would still avoid it at all costs when I was younger, but it wasn't as bad as gum or toothpaste. And don't even get me started on those Listerine strips... I still excuse myself if someone's using one of those. *shudder*

Since there seem to be several other people out there with this fear, could there possibly be a name? It's certainly rare, as this thread is the only thing I've ever found on the subject. Maybe we could make one up? Menthaphobia? (Literally just googled the scientific name for mint...)

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I can’t stand the smell of toothpaste when someone else is brushing or the smell of mint gum when someone is chewing it.
I am fine with brushing my own teeth and I don’t mind chewing mint gum though (?). I also like mint ice cream so it’s not a mint aversion. It’s a specific minty mouth smell on others that I can’t stand.
I also hate the sound of someone else brushing their teeth. This seems to have developed as an adult in the past several years.
I have a childhood memory of my mom who would wake me up in the mornings by snuggling in my bed and I would say “Ewww your breath”. She would go brush her teeth and come back and breathe on me and I hated it - hot minty breath. That’s the only thing I can think of to have caused my issue with mint Toothpaste and gum smells. I am not sure why the sound of toothbrushing, especially that hollow sound when people partially close their mouth while brushing annoys me,

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Curbing control tendencies, or OCD behavior. It's very controlling to try to control what's in other people's mouths....

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Expose yourself to peppermint with a diffuser, until you're over it, or put on peppermint essential oils daily to pep you up.

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Colleen Hitchcock:
Your insight is very helpful!
Thank you so much!! Will do.

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just turned 65 and totally agree with this post. I won't share a room with people while traveling due to this issue. I hate cilantro also so assume it is some type of intense sensitivity to the smell. I cannot stand seeing people chew gum or brush their teeth. People don't eat with their mouth open - why do they think these behaviors are ok?

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I’ve had an aversion to mint toothpaste and the texture/sensation of toothpaste in general. I think it’s from childhood and an overzealous parent’s ocd with teeth brushing and liking aggressively brushing my teeth with lots of paste as a child. It’s a gag reflex. I prefer hydrogen peroxide, coconut oil, unflavored fluoride- anything unflavored. I also have issues with sharing bathrooms with people- mostly the sink (as that is where people brush their teeth). Even the word toothpaste bothers me. I cannot be in view of people cleaning their teeth.

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Very interesting. I can tolerate cinnamon chewing gum. And cinnamon doesn’t bother me as well. Mint paste, chewing gum, listerine are highly aversive to me as well.

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It's not a phobia, some people just hate the smell and taste of mint. It is pretty vile after all, way too strong and I cannot understand how such a smelly product can be associated with hygienic practises so much, to me a hygienic smell is a neutral smell, or lack of a any smell. Toothpaste and other products should taste of nothing ideally.

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I've hated the smell of mint ever since I went to nursery school. This woman walked into the nursery and she smelled of peppermint and I couldn't stand the smell. And to this day I abhor the smell of mint.

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I can't stand the smell of mint either, or even the taste of mint FTM.

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I can't stand to be in the vicinity of someone chewing peppermint gum (or even spearmint gum FTM) bc I find the smell revolting. I especially don't like the smell of mint after someone brushes their teeth which is why I don't like Colgate toothpaste. I find the smell highly offensive.

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maybe try brushing with peroxide and baking soda, ive always hated mint and mint toothpaste. So that's what I use when I brush my teeth

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I HATE mint at least as much as your client and I always have. I can't explain it, but it is just absolutely disgusting. I go to great lengths to get non-mint toothpaste.

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Hi Leonie, this question keeps cropping up so must be very common, however we have a script for this already on Hypnotic World. Please check out the Fears and Phobias section.

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My 13yr old can’t stand anyone near her eating anything that smells of mint - she won’t eat anything minty either. I’m pretty sure she’s ok with fresh garden mint as I’ve put it in iced tea which she liked but anything else at all. As soon as they were old enough to have mint, my son loved it but she refused and so has always used natural toothpastes. I wondered if she’d accidentally swallowed some and it was a natural protective response but I think not as she never liked it. I can’t think of any possibility of a negative subconscious memory apart from rough and tumble/running round with sibling 2 Yrs older which was mostly excited but very occasionally may have ended in tears in a normal way. She was also v particular around wearing comfy socks, tights, fabrics and how her hair was tied and a creature of habit so I wondered if it was related to autistic spectrum in some way - she is not diagnosed as autistic nor does she show other signs of being so. It does make you wonder though. Very curious - she will say loudly ‘we go away you stink’ if you’ve eaten something minty. She can’t stand it. She says she’s a bit germ phobic too in that she doesn’t like to share food and drink particularly. I didn’t notice her complain before I tried to switch to the kids minty gel toothpaste and thought she’d grow out of it.

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Lemon Redseal toothpaste doesn't taste like mint at all. It's the only toothpaste that i can use without gagging haha. Hope this helps, my fellow mint haters

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I have the same exact problem. I cant stand anybody any chewing gum around me, or the smell when someone brushes their teeth in the morning. The sight of chewed gum disgusts the day lights out of me. Mint sweets or gum are a huge no no.

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Good to know I’m not alone. I think a childhood experience may have triggered it, something as simple as my sibling being a jerk & flinging her toothbrush at me. But, still having an internal panic attack if toothpaste gets on my hand, is crazy for me as i’m almost 40y/o. On the other hand, lysol & pine sol makes me gag & hearing people chew makes me wanna go cray cray, so maybe there’s a link with misophonia 🤷‍♀️ Probably not, but who knows. Just your run of the mill random anxiety that i internalize so people won’t think I’m as crazy as i really am 😁.

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I feel so vindicated . I thought it was just me! I am completely disgusted by anything minty. Toothpaste , candy, ice cream , and don’t get me started on chewing gum, even the smell of dry stick in someone’s purse makes me want to vomit . However , I’m fine with old school original flavor listerine; the brown stuff, not the green minty stuff . I’m tolerant of bubble gum , I think it’s just trashy but the smell doesn’t make me gag . And get this, I’m completely fine with garden mint in small doses , like in middle eastern food or mojito. But if someone smacks gum or has just brushed their teeth without rinsing properly . Man it’s such a turnoff .
For my personal oral hygiene I just started using an Italian toothpaste called Mavis. I have tried different flavors . I dont love , but also don’t mind the liquorish. I tried citrus flavor . Now if I can just get my husband to use it ... because he says they taste like perfume . I dint know if my phobia has to do with anything traumatic . I grew up in the 70’s and everybody reeked of binaka breath spray . Made me want to vomit even them . Try Marvis , they have a sample package on Amazon .

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I cannot stand the taste of anything even a little bit minty. I can tolerate the smell of it on someone else’s breath, and don’t have a problem with handling tubes of toothpaste, but brushing my teeth is a huge problem, and so my teeth are now in appalling condition and I have now developed a fear of dentists as a result. I’ve never managed to find a toothpaste I can tolerate to use every day.

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I have never liked mint. As an adult especially. Fresh mint is fine. Anything spearmint or smell like a peppermint gum or candy makes me want to vomit. I have to buy natural toothoaste since Crest stopped making citrus flavor and cinnamon. It sucks, even mint in chocolate or cookies makes me gag.

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I know exactly where my aversion to mint comes from. It comes from the fact that all mint toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum etc. burn my mouth.

You know the painful burning you get when you bite into a VERY hot pepper. Yeah, that's what it feels like everytime I brush my teeth! It makes me feel sick. It's led to a lifetime of bad dental hygiene because who wants to do something multiple times a day that's going to cause them pain.

I can't use any mouthwash, I can't hold it in my mouth for more than about 3 seconds, it feels like I'm gargling with acid. I am able to use sensodyne toothpaste, despite what some people say it is definitely minty but it burns a lot less than other brands. I still struggle, especially if I change from using, say, whitening to strengthening, or something like that. It takes my mouth a good couple of weeks to acclimatise to the new product and for me to be able to block out the worst of the burn.

Ironically I actually like natural mint (as in the plant that grows, not the disgusting products labelled as naturally minty). I have no problem eating mint leaves (and I love a mojito) but the pain from the burning has become synonymous with the taste and smell of strong minty products. So now anytime someone breathes their strong minty chewing gum breathe on me I feel like I'm going to puke.

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I too the smell and taste of mint and mint products. It caused me to hate gum too, I used to chew different flavours of gum but after a while it repulsed me too. I can't be around people chewing gum. The thought of gum in someone's mouth with all that saliva makes me want to vomit, sweets too. Thank God I was able to find non mint toothpaste near me. I also don't like the smell of the bathroom after someone has brushed, maybe it's because everyone around me uses mint toothpaste. I can't eat food if it comes in contact with that air. Also when someone takes peppermint tea and the cup still has that smell even after washing.

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How about charcoal toothpaste? It’s not as bad as it sounds and it does work to freshen the mouth and clean teeth, but be careful not to get the kind that’s mint infused:)

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going to follow this because my 10 year old son has the exact same issue with mint.

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If anyone has an aversion for mint, a tip for brushing your teeth would be to use Arm and Hammer PeroxiCare tooth paste (baking soda) I can’t stand bubble gum flavor as I also have an aversion for candies and mint, hope this helps

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This post is hella old so probably long since solved but in case no one else has mentioned it there are now alternative flavours to mint for toothbrushing. I've got my 7-year-old on strawberry Crest and we've never looked back. Just make sure to check it has fluoride in it, some of the hippie brands don't have it and they're the ones that also have the biggest choice in flavours.

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Hi all. It feels so good to know there are so many others who share my hatred for the smell and taste of mint. It was very troubling as a child when bring around the smell of mint was overpowering and disgusting. It was annoying to have others act like I was weird or being unreasonable when I asked not to exposed to it against my will. I used to want to move to Singapore because I heard gum was illegal there. It sounded like heaven.

I wish this forum was posted on another type of site where the staff/members didn't keep suggesting that we use hypnosis or exposure therapy in the hopes we will "get over it." While mint may be in someone else's month, it is also in my nose. I feel like the assumption that we have OCD or trauma rather than a legitimate dislike to be dismissive. Some people came here for help, but many others seem to want to feel understood and connect with other people like themselves.

I feel sad to hear that a few of you continue to suffer into adulthood avoiding certain social situations or hygiene to avoid this smell and taste. I will say that it would be easier to be in a relationship with someone who shares or at least respects this aversion. I would like my home to be mint free and to ask guests not to bring mint into my home. I don't see why asking loved ones to respect this aversion is any different than the allergies or scent free requests that are made so often these days. Maybe more awareness of differences in sensory experiencing will promote more tolerance toward this aversion as we have begun to do with other differences in experiencing sound, light, smell, etc.

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I received my DNA test results from ancestry.com and the results confirmed my dislike for the smell & taste of mint. I’ve hated it my entire life- all 70 years. Now I now it isn’t due to a lack of exposure to mint in my childhood, it’s in my genes!!! None of my family members have the same dislike for mint. I am SO frustrated that 99.9% of dental products come only in mint. The other .01% comes in Cinnamon flavor but that flavor is usually too spicy hot for me. I end up having to use kid’s products in flavors like bubblegum & cotton candy. Yuck! When Dentists use Mint and it makes me gag. I can’t be the only one with anti-mint DNA!! Maybe the tongue can be trained to be less sensitive to mint if it’s introduced in small quantities over many months- the way allergy doctors lessen the body’s allergic reaction to foods?

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Oh my gosh yes. So many dismissive comments. It’s not a trauma. There was no event. I don’t just need to “get over it” or god forbid expose myself to it until it doesn’t kill me. It’s not a trauma or something to get over. It’s an extreme aversion! For me I think it’s a sensory issue!

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This is probably mine too but I refuse to get the DNA test kits. I have had a severe aversion to it forever. It isn’t going to go away and it doesn’t have to. As an adult I have learned to manage my own reactions to other people and I refuse to draw attention to my aversion, but I can absolutely control what I use and eat. I would bet money that if I took those tests mine would have the same result lol

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It's usually not just mint. I've run into this and they are usually OCD, it's about controll, in essence they are trying to control what others due and are stepping over boundaries.

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I was wondering if I spent years overreacting which led me to google ‘why do I hate the smell of toothpaste?’ So glad to find that there are numerous others I can relate with but it varies for me where I am able to brush my teeth just fine but hate the mint smell on my breath so I either rinse my mouth repeatedly or drink something after to dull the smell. I hate smelling it other peoples’ breath and I become so frantic if it catches on surfaces. Don’t get me started on gum YUK! I don’t want to be next to people who chew I don’t want to smell it in their pockets or bags I don’t want to see it in my bin. I don’t walk on grass and avoid using public desks out of deep fear that there is gum pasted underneath. I cried once in public when a piece of gum got attached to my clothes it could have been worse because I felt like I was going to pass out and vomit at the same time from the smell. I can’t remember when this aversion started or link it to any cause but for the parents who are struggling to get their kids to use toothpaste you can try my trick and give them something to eat or drink afterwards to counter it or use Colgate baking soda and peroxide which is my favorite because the taste and smell are tolerable.

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I have always hated mint. I have such a fear of brushing my teeth. I can stand the smell, even thinking it's pleasant sometimes. I can even eat slightly minty treats, like thin mints. Often I try to suppress this distaste, but with truly strong flavors I just can't get over it. I have fine dental health, even though I admittedly only brush my teeth a couple times a month. I think the fact that it makes every surface it touches cold is what throws me off. I also have the "aversion to cilantro" gene if that relates. Currently researching ways to get over this, because at this point, it's negatively affecting my life.

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I am exactly the same way I hate mint with a deep passion. Anything mint even the name makes me feel upset and like embarrassed or something. I also could never chew gum front of men any flavor ! I don’t chew gum and I’m disgusted by People who love mints , gum or toothpaste ! I will literally leave the room or just have a rude attitude I may even ask you to spit it out if I know you because if we know each other than you know not to ever do anything mint involved around me or else I’m livid and offended . I may even cry if I have to stand it like say I’m at an interview and the bod smells like mint, I may have a disgusting look on my face or I Will intermittently “blow” out of disgust for the smell I wish mint never existed, it’s interrupts my happiness

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I'm a 15-year-old who shares a bathroom with her family. For as long as I can remember Ive had a problem with anything mint or associated with mint. From toothpaste to gum the mere sight of toothpaste gave me this feeling of anxiety and disgust. When it comes down to my personal belongings it's not that bad but for others, I will literally vomit or even sometimes cry. Because of this I had to purchase my own toothpaste and become very distant to the people around me when they are chewing gum and to even explain why is even more embarassing. The fact that I am not the only one who has this challenge is very comforting to me????

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Mint aversion is NOT (always?)a mere phobia. Contact with mint causes physical symptoms including a strong tongue burning sensation and a gag reflex at times. I have always been able to tolerate exposures without serious impact, but am careful to read ingredients to avoid the discomfort. No one else in my family shares this reaction and even if I suffered some mint-trauma as a baby, I do not believe that the lifelong consistent physical symptoms are explained away. Some chemical compound found in mint (and similar plants such as wintergreen)is more likely an allergen for some of us.

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I cannot be in the room when my husband brushes his teeth cause I can’t stand the smell of mint toothpaste either. Even worse is when he uses mouthwash afterwards. I have to hold my breathe and go in afterwards and turn the faucet on for awhile to rinse all the bad smells out of the sink.

One time I was totally grossed out when my office surprised me with a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake for my birthday. Who would want to eat cake that taste like toothpaste? Yuck. I made excuse that I’m saving my piece of cake for later to eat.

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I have mint aversion ever since I can remember.. I relate to what everyone wrote in here..I just can't stand mint..even the word gives me the ick..there's this traumatic experience of mine when I was 14,it was so bad that I gagged and cried..my family and I went visiting during eid, I remember it was my mom's friend's house..there was this beautiful flower shaped cookie and there's white on the middle that looked like mentos sweets, but I wasn't aware of it so I ate it..the second it went into my mouth my eyes were watery but I didn't want to be rude in front of the host so I kept it in my mouth for a few minutes..thank god the host left the room for a while and I burst out crying and gagging as I reached a tissue paper and threw it up..then I drank the soy milk they served us..the soy milk helped to wash away the minty flavour out of my mouth

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The doctors are quaks. I agree full heartedly with others who have this aversion. I have a sensitive sense of smell in general. I mostly react with disgust and anger. I believe it to be genetic or sensory. My father had the same issue as well. I have a few more less atrocious aversions stimming from mint. Gum, food chewing. The smell to me is extremely overwhelming and invasive.

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This is not trying to be controlling. It has to do with an aversion of a taste, smell. I have had it ever since I was very little and I still hate it. The only kind of mint I can tolerate is dried mint in some foods but that is it. I'm not trying to control anyone, I just don't like mint, the smell or the taste. I am not OCD. I am ADHD but that has nothing to do with Mint. I believe that most people have a gene that tolerates it, but I believe it makes me ill because I find the taste. smell disgusting. I do not like to see people brush their teeth. My sister used to brush her teeth in front of me just to make me mad. I think the disgust of someone brushing their teeth comes from the smell of mint and that is part of it. But to me, cleaning parts of your body should be done in private, not in my face.

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Hi in my experience a very strong aversion is coming from a past life. Not sure if you do PLR but I think it's the best way to find the root of the aversion to mint.

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Have you tried the following script:
https://www.hypnoticworld.com/hypnosis-scripts/fears-phobias/fear-of-mints

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You can use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide made into a thick paste to brush your teeth instead of toothpaste. They also have Charcoal toothpaste that they sell. These not only clean your teeth but whiten them also.

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I think this is a Past life case. Bring the client to past life with the affect bridge of all those symptoms and to her past where she first starting having problem with the smell and taste of mint. That should normally work.

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