Quite common, I'd have thought.
Obviously when the brain processes information from detectors in the nose it makes assumptions in trying to assign a conscious "smell" to the signal. It's only a collection of chemicals, and what it tells you is a particular smell is only based on past experience and what it has learned. So it shouldn't be surprising that sometimes it comes to the wrong conclusion.
A bit like being fooled by an optical illusion, or misjudging a sound.
I seem to be quite sensitive to smells wafting in the air, and detect things like sheep dip or wood smoke from several miles away. Some smells I know are real but have an unexpected source - I've learned that a sudden waft of toasting slightly burned macaroni cheese when driving through a particular town is actually from a brewery. But at other times I can suddenly get the sensation of a completely incongruous smell, which I assume to be just the brain playing tricks.
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Phantosmia - I wish someone had warned me.. new
Phantosmia - I wish someone had warned m.. new