Many of my fondest memories are anchored by smell: a whiff of Auntie Anne’s pretzels, the instantly calming fragrance of lavender, the unmistakable scent of saltwater. Working on the latest episode of the TED Radio Hourhelped me understand why — smell is our only sense directly linked to the brain's limbic system, the seat of memory and emotion.
But as Paule Joseph, a sensory science researcher, explained, smell isn’t just a potent trip down memory lane. It can also be a warning system for the future.
A few years back, Joseph noticed something strange about her mother-in-law’s cooking. Despite her reputation as a talented chef, lately her meals tasted off — too salty or too sweet. Recognizing what this could mean, Joseph administered a smell test using a booklet of 40 different scents (think scratch-and-sniff stickers). The test confirmed that her mother-in-law’s sense of smell was fading, setting off a chain of doctor visits that ultimately ended in a dementia diagnosis.
The brain regions responsible for smell are often the first to be affected by neurodegeneration, which means a sensory decline can appear well before traditional signs like memory loss. Because of that, Joseph advocates for a yearly olfactory test to get an understanding of your baseline.
In the meantime, Joseph has some simple advice: pay attention! Noticing scents around you isn't just about savoring life's pleasures; it’s a way to keep an eye on the health of your brain.
After working on this episode, I’ve been feeling inspired to really absorb and appreciate the smells of my day. And to check in on loved ones and remind them to do the same.
And hey, maybe listen to this one while sautéing garlic, gardening, or baking cookies.
🍪 Harsha
P.S. Is there a specific smell that instantly takes you back in time? Tell us about it! We might feature your response in an upcoming Pod Club.
The week’s best episodes
…to share with your dinner companions
🤨 Misdiagnoses are dangerously common
I was shocked to learn from Short Wave that almost all of us (!) will fall victim to America's “diagnosis crisis,” facing a delayed, wrong or missed diagnosis at some point in our lives. In this episode host Emily Kwong unpacks why the system is so prone to error, with a health journalist and a physician who was personally affected.
☕ America’s favorite psychoactive substance: caffeine!
Having recently gone through pregnancy, and now late nights with a newborn, I’ve been extra aware of caffeine lately. Hearing about the life cycle of caffeine in our bodies on this episode of WABE’s Health Wanted was fascinating. They sift through the research on buzzy drinks — the benefits, drawbacks, and unanswered questions. One thing I know for sure… don’t come between me and my daily vanilla latte.
🧠 Flag football, anyone?
I’m a new mom to a 6-month-old boy, and I’ve already been asked the question at the heart of this It’s Been A Minute episode: would you let your kid play football?IBAM host Brittany Luse talks through new research on the lasting brain impacts of taking hits and how athletes, fans, and health professionals are responding. (For what it’s worth, I’m still figuring it out.)
➕ Do you remember? The 21st night of September? NPR Music is back at it, taking a deep look at another iconic song. This time, what makes September a standout among the many Earth, Wind & Fire hits? And why is September the most popular month in song? Get access to this episode (and sponsor-free listening) by signing up for NPR+.
One to Watch
I used to think avoiding conflict and keeping the peace was an act of love. But this Life Kit conversation on conflict totally flipped that thinking.
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