Can you lose your sense of taste?

Question

How can you permanently lose your sense of taste on purpose?

My friend and I were talking about losing taste on purpose and wondered if it was even possible to do that. (We get into silly discussions)

Do you know if you can and how you can?

Answer 1

About 10 years ago, the latest medication fad was to take zinc tablets at the onset of getting a cold.  There has been recorded cases of people losing their sense of taste.  Victims say that it is h**l!  One of the biggest drives is to eat, and they cannot enjoy it without taste.  It became a chore, and not an enjoyable activity.