It sounds like a joke, but it isn’t. Scientists are seriously exploring the idea of a “snot transplant” as a treatment for people who suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis, a miserable condition that affects millions worldwide. And while the name might make you snicker, the science behind it could finally bring relief to people who live with endless congestion, facial pain, and a nose that never seems to stop running.
What is chronic rhinosinusitis?
Chronic rhinosinusitis, or CRS, is long-term inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. It’s diagnosed when sinusitis lasts for 12 weeks or more, often with little or no break. The symptoms are relentless: thick green mucus, constant congestion, loss of smell and taste, headaches, bad breath, and even fevers. As Duncan Boak of the UK-based charity SmellTaste put it, the condition has “a huge, huge impact on almost every facet of life,” from breathing and sleeping to simply trying to get through the day.
Despite affecting up to 12 percent of people in Europe and North America, CRS has been neglected by research. Standard treatments like antibiotics or surgery often provide only temporary relief. Many patients never fully recover, leaving them frustrated and desperate for new solutions.
The idea of a snot transplant
Enter the snot transplant, or more formally, a nasal microbiota transplant (NMT). The concept is inspired by the success of fecal transplants for gut infections. Instead of restoring gut bacteria, however, this method restores the microbial community of the nose and sinuses.
Here’s how it works: healthy nasal mucus, rich in beneficial bacteria, is collected from a donor and transplanted into a patient’s sinuses—usually after a round of antibiotics to clear out the existing bacteria. The goal is to reset the sinus microbiome, replacing harmful bacteria with a diverse, balanced community that can fight off inflammation and infections.
Researchers in Sweden, Australia, and the UK have been leading small studies in this area. They’ve tried nasal lavages—basically washing donor snot into patients’ sinuses—for five days in a row, then tracked the results over weeks and months.
How effective is it?
The results so far are surprisingly hopeful, even if not perfect. In one study with 22 patients, most reported significant improvements in their symptoms, measured by the SNOT-22 test (yes, that’s really the name of the clinical questionnaire). Patients described relief from congestion and a noticeable return of their sense of smell. Microbiome testing showed increased diversity of bacteria in their sinuses, suggesting the transplant had taken hold.
Other studies found that two out of three patients had long-term improvement, while a few experienced only temporary relief. Some patients also reported side effects like mild fevers, coughs, or cold-like symptoms, and in rare cases, sinus infections returned. Still, the overall trend is encouraging. Scientists believe that by restoring the natural bacterial community, the immune system calms down, inflammation decreases, and sinuses finally begin to function normally again.
Why it works
The mechanism comes down to the microbiome. Just as the gut has a delicate balance of bacteria that can be thrown off by antibiotics, diet, or pathogens, the sinuses also depend on a diverse mix of microbes. When that balance is disrupted, harmful bacteria dominate, inflammation takes hold, and the cycle of chronic sinusitis begins. By transplanting healthy donor mucus, researchers hope to “reset” the system, crowding out harmful bugs and letting the good ones flourish.
Of course, the phrase “snot transplant” is bound to raise eyebrows. Some patients recoil at the thought, while others are eager to try anything that might offer lasting relief. Advocates point out that people once thought fecal transplants were absurd, and now they’re a proven therapy for stubborn gut infections.
Critics warn that the treatment is still experimental and that rigorous trials are needed to prove safety and long-term benefits. Donor screening is a major concern—no one wants to trade their sinus infection for someone else’s mystery illness. Researchers are also looking into synthetic microbial cocktails that might avoid the ick factor altogether.
The future of snot science
Despite the laughs the name invites, the research is serious and could reshape how doctors treat not just chronic sinus infections but also antibiotic-resistant respiratory infections. If snot transplants continue to show promise, one day they could become as routine as allergy shots.
Until then, patients may just have to decide how much relief is worth a dose of someone else’s nose goo. After all, when your head feels like it’s stuffed with cement and you can’t smell your morning coffee, even a snot transplant might start sounding like a pretty sweet deal.
Would you like me to also draft a companion 1200×675 image concept for this article—something playful yet informative that visually explains “snot transplants” without turning readers away?
HNZ Editor: Dare I say it? It snot a real transplant. And we already know about poop transplants, but they have better names for it…
