Is the Smell of Burnt Toast a Sign of a Stroke? - Reference.com Smelling burnt toast or rubber is believed to be a symptom of a stroke or brain tumour, many claim. Phantosmia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment Etiketler: I'm pretty sure it was, myself. The disorder can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition — as was the case for Clapp. So smelling burnt toast is a myth? Probably an old wive's tale. Answer There is a fairly common misconception that if you smell something that is not there (such as burnt toast) it is a sign of a stroke. heart attack Anyway, ipso facto, that means everyone who smells toast for no reason has brain damage. Grace Against the Machine: When Grace is Hard Although lots of people think smelling something burning is a sign of a stroke, there’s no solid evidence this is true. Most Popular Negative Reviews. Unusual fatigue or sleeplessness. Is Smelling Burnt Toast a Sign That You’re Having a Stroke?