Research question. Functional brain imaging studies have identified brain networks engaged in sniffing and voluntary apnoea, comprising the primary motor and somatosensory cortices, the insula, the anterior cingulate cortex, and the amygdala. The temporal organisation and the oscillatory activities of these networks are not known. To elucidate these aspects, we recorded intracranial electroencephalograms (iEEG) in 6 patients during voluntary sniffs and short apnoeas (12 seconds). The preparation phase of both manoeuvres involved increased alpha and theta activity in the posterior insula, amygdala and temporal regions, with a specific preparatory activity in the parahippocampus for the short apnoeas and the hippocampus for sniff. Subsequently, it narrowed to the superior and median temporal areas, immediately after the manoeuvres. During short apnoeas, a particular dynamic was observed, consisting of a rapid decline in alpha and theta activity followed by a slow recovery and increase. Volitional respiratory manoeuvres involved in olfactory control involve corticolimbic structures in both a preparatory and executive manner. Further studies are needed to determine whether diseases altering deep brain structures can disrupt these mechanisms and if such disruption contributes to the corresponding olfactory deficits.