This nurse can smell Parkinson’s disease | Joy Milne | TEDxManchester

In this talk, Joy Milne recounts the story of her incredible life: while working as an NHS nurse in Scotland, she discovered she had a true superpower. She discovered she could smell the presence of Parkinson’s Disease on afflicted people far in advance of medical diagnostics. In the case of her husband, Joy was able to detect the onset of Parkinson’s 12 years before medical science could confirm what she already knew.
Today Joy is spending her retirement working with Professor Perdita Barren at the University of Manchester Department of Chemistry to convert her superpower into a new medical diagnostic for use all over the world.
#parkinsons
Joy Milne spent her professional life in the care of others as a nurse in a Nightingale ward. But her life took an unexpected turn when she began to notice that her husband, a consultant anaesthetist, began to smell distinctly differently to her. Twelve years later he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and during a visit to Parkinson’s UK she realised other patients had the same smell. She came to realise that somehow, she could smell Parkinson’s Disease in people and detect it far earlier than the NHS.
Today, Joy is working closely with the University of Manchester and Professor Perdita Barran to better understand Joy’s incredible abilities but more importantly seek to develop a superior diagnostic that doesn’t require Joy’s personal presence. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@catherinemackley]

I could smell my friends pancreatic cancer two years before she was diagnosed. The next time I smelled that same smell it turned out to be prostate cancer about a year before his diagnosis. Both of those times I never said anything because I wasn’t sure how to tell people they may be I’ll and to go see a doctor. My husband is always freaked out when I can smell he has a cold coming on. Like you, I smelled everything as a child. To the point my mother didn’t ever want to take me places because I would pick up all sorts of things to smell them, even tinned goods in a grocery store.

[@asvariascoisas]

Can you describe the smell please?

[@poskoz]

Find truffles!

[@SweetXixi.]

Please please, go try and talk to researchers, your gift can save many many lives for generations

[@QuadraByMissclic]

​@@asvariascoisasIts smell of mushed bananas with chocolate .

[@stst77]

When I was pregnant i was walking down the grocery aisle and smelled a strong smell of blueberries. I thought that was strange because i wasn’t near the fresh foods. When i left the aisle i saw a display of canned blueberries. I thought that was odd. I could smell all sorts of things when i was pregnant that i can’t smell when I’m not pregnant.

[@HelloSailorboy]

I was diagnosed with PD 2.5 years ago, at the age of 67. I had been unwittingly symptomatic for 2-3 years before that. One of my early symptoms was dermatitis, which at the time I thought was due to sun exposure. I live in a high UV zone; Nelson, New Zealand . I had greasy, sometimes flaky, skin around my upper face, especially my forehead, temples, under my eyes and near my nose. I also had a greasy scalp, neck, chest and shoulders. Over the last year or two this greasiness appears to have accelerated. Over the last few months I have become increasingly stinky, which I have attributed to my sebum. My first thought was that the smell was reminiscent of charred cotton rags, but I now realise that the yeasty/musty description is pretty close. Every 12 months I am examined and treated by my dermatologist for skin lesions, usually solar keratoses and the occasional basal cell carcinoma and/or squamous cell carcinoma. Last year I brought to his attention my greasy face and scalp. He appeared to be baffled as to why I even mentioned it. I am due for my next examination in a few weeks. I have been taking great care to avoid direct UV exposure and I think he’ll be pleased with the result - very little to find. I will raise again the issue of my oily skin, and the stink which, to me, appears almost overpowering. While I have had the usual tremors, clenching toes, stiff/sore back in particular, and bradykinesia, I have been able to continue with my usual activities of mountain hiking, trail running, cycling, table tennis and pickleball. I have even managed to raise the bar, averaging about 25 hours a week of physical activities. I engage in a number of exercises/stretches/therapies to address my symptoms, and have had quite a bit of success. I no longer suffer from a stiff and sore back, afternoon fatigue, or apathy, and I am more motivated. I have always had a positive attitude towards my Parkinson’s, and did not allow it to get me down.

[@joanneweston2796]

My hope is that the ability to diagnosis through the use of smell by people and animals becomes mainstream!

[@MeRia035]

Yes, I agree ❤

[@angelacahill9460]

Yes, I learned of using my sense of smell for diagnosis in 2012, early in my education journey towards becoming a nurse. I successfully diagnosed a patient with C-Diff that way, from her stool. Dogs have been trained to detect cancer. I believe they can be trained to detect any disease under the sun. I hope this woman is successful in her quest.

[@heidimichellemoenkhaus3569]

I can smell when people are getting/have Covid. Their bathroom smells horrible and then about 5-7 days later they test positive. It's a weird smell. C-diff definitely has a smell too but I haven't been around it enough to learn.

[@amandarios448]

​@@heidimichellemoenkhaus3569 I could smell diabetes, ketone but that's easy to do. I am often overwhelmed with smells, I knew there was a dead animal under the floorboards months before people noticed.

[@TrashCanRoxanne]

I can smell silk and down feathers. I can tell if a garment is made of real silk or not and if a jacket or pillow has down feathers in it. I always wonder if I'm the only one.

[@angelacahill9460]

@@amandarios448 yes it smells like rotten eggs in the urine, correct?

[@jrambo7495]

Weird that I've stumbled across this comment. My mom had an emergency surgery and now they're concerned about c-diff. The test takes 24 hours to come back but one of her nurses reassured her that she does not have it because the nurse stated that she can smell when patients have c-diff. I'm so grateful for that nurse; I don't think she'll ever know.

[@brianbrino4310]

What a devoted and professional person she is! A really admirable woman!❤

[@mok8591]

I was terrified having a selfie taken with her 😂 Amazing personality!

[@janetslicer3637]

This is incredibly amazing! She is changing the world. I wonder how many other people in the world may have this or other amazing capabilities. Thank you for this video. It gives people hope.

[@user-kv8oo6kd6r]

I could smell my Father (he had Parkinson's, but also oesophageal cancer). It was a sickly, sour /sweet smell and I had no idea that no one else could smell it. It wasn't until I met a friend of my partners, who was telling my partner that he hadn't been well and was getting some tests. He had the exact same strong smell that my Father had. When we walked away, I said he's got cancer, which shocked my partner. A month later, he died. The cancer was all through him.

[@jburgett45]

My father also had lung CA and eventually metastasized. I saw him in 3 weeks before he died-and no one else mentioned-but that sickly-sweet smell was overpowering! I’ve never mentioned it till I saw this.

[@LaLadybug2011]

I think this TedTalk title could be renamed because this woman is much much more to the world of medicine besides "nurse." Her nose has led to a complete breakthrough in prediagnosing Parkinson's! She's a miraculous gift to the world.

[@Cimreau]

"Nurse" is an honourable and esteemed profession, with a lot of variety in the sorts of things nurses know and do. It sounds like her experience as a nurse helped her refine her interpretations of scents within a medical context, and her medical experience and knowledge improve her credibility. Which other descriptions would be better? Attentive wife? Hyperosmatic British woman? Enthusiastic research subject?

[@MedusasFeelinSalty]

I can smell GI bleeds, upper and lower, before they really get going. I worked in endoscopy for many years and it came in handy

[@ytslove9797]

😊😊

[@craftyvoices2363]

I can smell SARS-COVID and many other diseases including diabetes. I always wondered why others could not. My family are also super tasters and tell you every ingredient used in a particular food.

[@craftyvoices2363]

I used my super smelling ability in the pest control business.

[@maureenshaw737]

What a remarkable gift to humanity ❤

[@kmlevitt20]

Such admiration for Joy's dedication and passion for using her gift for good in the world for Parkinson's and beyond.

[@jamesstenner8335]

Wow this is unbelievable what an amazing woman !!

[@thegatestoavalon]

What a wonderful Lady. God Bless you.

[@ganeshnairYT]

Nobody notices her name is Nurse Joy?

[@joanneadducci3574]

This is amazing!!!! Thank you for staying open sweet Soul you are changing the way medicine can look at and use our incredible bodies for our own healing!!! Keep going!!!! Gratitude love & light to you and your sweet husband ❤🙏🏼✨

[@MsJosiejo32]

She's amazing!

[@ianxl48]

Wonderful lady, with a great mind, too! ❤ ❤

[@THERIDDLER-ei3gn]

This was an incredible story that Mrs. Milne told. I want to personally show my gratitude for the work that she has done one the research of Parkinson’s and the impact that this disease has had on her own personal life. I think it’s remarkable that someone would be able to detect the change of a person’s odor as they start to develop Parkinson’s. It would take even more courage in this age to speak up and tell someone that you have an ability to detect Parkinson’s in people. I feel like most people would think you’ve gone crazy or would think you are some kind of a fraud. To be able to not only stand up for yourself, but to go on and have a research study conducted to prove it is remarkable. With the study that was conducted, although the sample size was small, I think the results of the study were significant to show that there is some kind of smell change associated with Parkinson’s. I’m glad that this was enough to push for a “Nose to Diagnose” so that more research could be conducted on the specific biomarkers for Parkinson’s. I do think that another limitation of the study was that it was only conducted with male participants. I would like to see more research on if the same smell changes are associated with female patients with Parkinson’s. I think that based on the results of this research, a screening test for Parkinson’s could be held earlier on for anyone who wants it. If there is a specific change in odor, being able to identify this change and then respectfully trying to prevent Parkinson’s progression could impact a lot of peoples’ lives. If we could start treating Parkinson’s earlier, then people could potentially live longer without the devastating body impacts that this disease has. In keeping with the medical law of justice, we could then give people the option to choose if they wanted to get screened or not for Parkinson’s.

[@resebourdeau772]

I cried through most of this. So many levels of feelings. I'd already read more details of this courageous Woman's journey. While I certainly do not have this sofisticated of nose . . I have been smelling and sorting and politely not sharing acute differences and likely dis-ease in otheres most of my life. I'm now 70 and realized a few years back that I had developed an exact, same and unique musk that my Mother exhibited at around my age. I cared for her through the end of her life some 15 years later. The journey was not good. There are no accidents. I've no idea HOW to identify or WHO to even attempt to tell. Conservative medicine ignores all this. What this talk does give me is hope that one day folks will be respected, supported and maybe even able to receive compationate care rather then Medical labels, invasive, painful and often expensive procedures or Pharmacitical perscriptions. Who nose? (pun intended)

[@Here---Now]

Are you sure it's not old people smell? It is caused by nonenal oil which older people progressively begin excreting from their skin

[@berylcomar]

Thankyou for the work you’ve done, and for your help in Tanzania. I lived there for four years teaching for VSO. So many with endémica diseases. Many thanks

[@breadcrumbcooking3205]

It is true after many years working as a nurse that sense of smell can detect certain bacteria. Especially wound care nurses

[@whitepouch0904]

She have had the ability of smelling undetectable scent to average human since she’s young. Her mother also had it.

[@mathiaskildedal]

So i just got confirmed that i can smell Parkinsons as well. I am the only one in Denmark so far. The doctors were amazed, and so were i.

[@user-su3jw8is5u]

contact dr barry sears

[@smith3329]

This nurse has opened the door to a number of great possibilities. One commentator here stated that our sense of smell is also evolving. A real possibility!

[@emmanuelaamoah-adjei9731]

Protect her at all costs! Lovely woman 😁

[@AkitaMix]

Thank you!!!

[@FatLittleOldLady]

You are amazing.

[@nrophoto2165]

Absolutely the best ted talk I have seen !!! More should see it ! X

[@Irunwithscissors1]

I have hyperosmia . People think I’m joking when I say I tell them the things I smell. I do know the smell of Parkinson’s as my ex has it. I remember the first time I smelled it but of course I didn’t know what it was. I feel I have a superpower. I wish I could help with this research . My “kryptonite” of course is protein farts.

[@anllyb7566]

Amazing woman ❤❤❤

[@helping_others]

Perfect timing for me. Thank you for your post X

[@Grimreaper45705]

I get headaches when it’s about to rain

[@stst77]

It’s the atmospheric pressure that you are feeling

[@SuperBoots87]

Dont move to Dublin so 😂

[@Here---Now]

Cynthia Olson, MD Minneapolis June 16 We dermatologists have observed for years that patients with many CNS (Central Nervous System) problems, including Alzheimers, strokes, post head injuries, tend to have seborrheic dermatitis. This is a pink, scaly inflammation of the skin in areas rich in oil glands and oil production. By far the worst affected patients I have seen were those with Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia. They do have a distinctive smell, which I always thought was the smell of sebum itself. It is fascinating that it can be detected by mass spectrometry, and with much more useful sensitivity!

[@anthonyjanelle12]

I’ve put so much stuff up my nose on the weekends I can barely smell cologne from the spray bottle … this lady’s story was awesome in the sense she helped the world with her super power

[@basbleupeaunoire]

lol. Slow down, there!

[@tizwah]

Yes that is a real thing. My mom has Parkinsons and I can smell it too (mostly in her neck).

[@tizwah]

@@sam66417 I used to live near a large brewery. When the wind was coming from the right direction I could smell a bread-like odor similar to the smell you get when you make yeast dough, but sweeter, with a hint of a roasted, nutty component. That's how I would describe the smell. Very unique but not at all unpleasant.

[@tizwah]

@@sam66417 yes that is it!

[@MadeintheUK987]

I wonder if pregnant women can smell a disease since their smell is more sensitive to smells.

[@joeldejonge2986]

@@tizwah I've been collecting information on different peoples descriptions of the smell. I'd like to hear yours if you're still there

[@tizwah]

@@joeldejonge2986 I described it here in the comments somewhere

[@yvonne3903]

Can you smell other conditions? Wonderful.

[@ponzee22]

Amazing.❤

[@MeRia035]

Thank you so much! Yes we can heal ourselves!❤

[@shoshannafachima1306]

Bravo Every disease,syndrome has a specific smell

[@Cindi-loves-sunsets]

I am stunned.... I also have this. I was a hairdresser for many years, I learned I can smell thyroid disease. Where can I find out about the research? Anyone??? My husband recently has a weird smell. He smells like crayons and I am nervous about what it means. Is there a community somewhere??

[@Loki-]

Look up medical universities that study in it and email them

[@sjames9036]

How old is your husband? I wonder if it age related.

[@mumsie8578]

I can smell tonsillitis on my kids and chest infections. I can smell it on their breath

[@dave9351]

Brilliant, simply the most brilliant discussion of something so mystical that I continue to shake my head ! The human mind, body, brain, nose (olfactory) is so incredible and still so unknown ? "We are Stardust, we are Golden" ! If only we could stop the "War Instinct" ? Humans ?

[@chuckichas]

Love your Granny

[@nmc2049]

I can smell colds, pneumonia and a few other illnesses that I don´t know yet what they are. If there is any way I can help science I would.

[@Loki-]

I smell them at least in myself. And taste it of course in the mucus... ew

[@Here---Now]

In subjects with iRBD, Joy found a scent that was similar to that of Parkinson’s, but less offensive and clearly distinguishable. (She described it as “biscuity sweet.”)

[@elaineporter182]

I went to a meeting about and for people with Parkinson’s and I noticed that room smelled and everyone with Parkinson’s smelled alike

[@stst77]

Interesting

[@bukurie6861]

Thank😍❤ you!Parkinson's diseases must to have treat and 🤍💞best care in family or who is diseases,...❤🖐🌏

[@jimdotz]

Is there anything similar for either Multiple Sclerosis or Alzheimer's?

[@Here---Now]

"Margaret AZ June 16 Sad to say, but for many years my spouse had a very strong and unpleasant odor. (Yes, he showered daily.) When he was finally diagnosed with several medical issues, including Sjogren's Disease, and put on the appropriate drug, the smell disappeared within days and hasn't since returned."

[@Mcoogie]

I can smell something odd on both my brother and father. It's two different scents, and it may not necessarily be disease, but I too am sensitive to body/breath/hair oil scents. There is a lot of information in scent that we've lost as we evolved. Fantastic gift and ted talk. Thank you for sharing your story. 👍❤️👌💪👏

[@Mcoogie]

@@rachelj1201 Hmmmm, I've smelled my dad's before, I believe. And funny enough, on a couple of elderly people on his side of the family. It's in their breath and skin oil I think. When we hug and chat I smell it. So my dad's isn't new, but definitely distinct. My brother's I've never smelled on anyone else. His started a couple of years ago. It's more from his mouth than skin/hair. It may be from his stomach I think. It's moreso from his deep breaths, rather than his mouth or teeth. I can't believe I have realized all of this- really fascinating! I wish there was a field of study in this area!

[@celestialcircledance]

Why isn't everybody getting those simple tests as a routine part of a checkup whether they show symptoms or not ?

[@BladeStar420]

We don't have Healthcare in USA. and even if you do you still have to pay.

[@celestialcircledance]

@@BladeStar420 Most people in the US have inadequate Health Care but not none at all. Cancer screenings like pap smears and colonoscopies and cholesterol screenings are heavily pushed on many so why not something cheap and simple like this?

[@greoalano4504]

I have the amazing talent to know when I stink and need a shower, I'm amazed a lot of people don't have this

[@janeyoung4783]

I have the same ability. It smells distinctly mousey especially I perspiration. I often smell things first. Electrical things I can also smell, many things!

[@jburgett45]

Same.

[@angellee9307]

I’m certain our senses are evolving. I could smell it before my GRANDMOTHER passed away. If I knew what it was I may have tried to defend her cause. Just a kid.

[@thedictator1454]

Needed it

[@Here---Now]

AHK New York June 14 Parkinson’s has a very strong smell, like musty-sweet violin rosin. The ability to smell it is not unusual, in my experience.

[@Here---Now]

"Emily Oregon June 16 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a year ago. I was ver disturbed by the change in the way I smelled. Taking the advice of another PD patient, I began using Lume body soap and deodorant. They are a bit spendier that other products but they are the only thing on the market that helps."

[@Here---Now]

A Parkinson’s patient wrote of the “social isolation” he experienced as a result of his own strong odor.

[@Here---Now]

5:51 Smell was not in the armpits but on neck and midback. I wonder if that's because it's harder to wash, or because the misfolded proteins are more concentrated there? That's one of the areas the new Syn-One skin test for Parkinson's tests. And that's the same area bears rub on marking trees!

[@Here---Now]

"Mary Carmela, PA PA June 15 ...could smell what she termed a "petroleum" like smell on my brother, which became stronger as the disease progressed.."

[@gorillaguerillaDK]

I work at a clinic for Physiotherapy and I can smell Parkinson too… At first I thought it was just my brain messing with me, but now I recognize that it’s just something I can….

[@joebagodonuts8119]

And it smells like?

[@gorillaguerillaDK]

It's hard to describe a smell, but a little bit like old warm socks with notes of earth and Chestnut.

[@bensmitten2702]

What does it mean if someone smell of strong vinegar.

[@Here---Now]

Parkinson’s an odor that was “musty,” “oily” or “akin to sour milk.”

[@jimmcconnell7328]

Does anyone know what this smell is,it’s a musky almost medicinal smell ?

[@jessam4875]

Not sure, but in my mind I’ve imagined it’s that strange sweet/powder/pickle scent the elderly have.

[@user-cz1op4wm1l]

just read NY Times article. Question: we are all born covered in vernix caseosa-which is essentially sebum. Could disease be present & detected as early as this by Ms. Milne? Is Ms Milne's astounding ability, by default, technically considered a disability by the medical establishment? as in the mechanical logic of why she has this ability would pathologically be considered a defect.?

[@Here---Now]

17:54

[@chuckichas]

Hello. It would be nice if science could learn of your families abilities. What a different life you must live. Imagine if mankind could achieve this sensitivity.

[@shaikhrazia3222]

❤❤❤❤

[@melissagorgeous16]

Florence Nightingale.

[@robotron17]

It is not possible to diagnose Parkinson's. That's kinda a running theme in mainstream medicine.

[@mememachine3371]

Wait she is 83?? This is honestly so crazy but it is all science backed literature.. They train dogs to smell certain cancers and fluctuations in blood sugar….

[@CuteAngeliica]

I can smell diabetic’s

[@poskoz]

She should have got the James randi price!

[@rickb1649]

Her story is a demonstration of evolution in action. Every generation, evolution tries a few tweaks. Most result in nothing, but the tweak that Joy Milne received gave her the ability to sense the odour of Parkinson's Disease. Possibly she is the only one on the planet that can detect the odour. Think of this in an animal perspective. Suppose there is getting to be a great shortage of food. Then an animal comes along that can detect this odour, which in its case is another source of food. So this animal can find the food and will probably successfully reproduce and the ability to detect this odour will be passed along to the offspring.

[@agnieszkamichalska3011]

I can smell cancer which is disturbing

[@onlyarmy7146]

I know l'm information

[@onlyarmy7146]

I like in 2019

[@TamaraRudnicki]

I can smell opiate and nicotine addiction.

[@joebagodonuts8119]

Me too 🤣

[@DivineLightPaladin]

Curious what those smell like

[@terry.1428]

Does this ability have a name

[@jonr6680]

Hyperosmia?

[@joymilne346]

@@jonr6680 Mine is Hereditary Hyperosmia

​@@joymilne346 It was a pleasure to hear your words and read your comment here also. 😊 Thanks for your work!

[@edusantos1207]

Just let my wife smells my clothes every single day when I am in home and finds out stranges smells

[@roofpizza1250]

Well, I can smell old people.

[@funnytv-1631]

There is a little known result of integrating habits and creating routine. You come alive. Because you are steadfast in prioritizing self-care, you may find that anxiety and depression have less of a foothold. Because you streamline that which previously took effort, you regain time in your day. You have space to unfurl.

[@sarajenn1970]

Harness the hyperosmic power of pregnant women. First trimester? We’re like truffle hunting canines.

[@hasanbalk8300]

joy mine in durumuna üstün koku alma yeteneği denir, hiporesmi. fakat hiporesmi bir yetenekten çok, bir lanettir onunla yaşayanlar bilir. kendimde üstün koku alma özelliğine sahibim.bu bazen çekilmez olabiliyor.

[@yardi95]

I can smell diabetes

[@MadeintheUK987]

They have a sweet smell in their breaths. I dated a person with jr.diabetes.

[@lindereno]

I have a spray that can detect every disease!

[@brandyhew3951]

Really? What a spray?

[@hanialbdulhadi3688]

مرحبا. ممكن حد يعطف علينا ويشترلينا تياب العيد لأهلي ولا الي يجبر بخاطركم في هي الأيام المباركة

[@user-yp4nm3os8f]

💪👃💪

[@d.r.tweedstweeddale9038]

Somethin' smells here & it ain't Parkinson's!

[@mohamedghithe-tw2tc]

God loves you and takes care of you for the arrival of this message to you. God is the one who created this universe and He is the one who controls it. The biggest loss that a person loses in this life is to live while he does not know God and the Messenger of Muhammad, the last of the prophets and the Islamic religion, the last of the heavenly religions. From the great intelligence of any person before he He believes in something or does not believe in it, that he read it, study it, and understand it well, and then he has the choice and judgment on it. I advise you to do so before you do not have time for that.

[@wendyburgess1880]

I tried really hard to listen to this but you make so much noise with your mouth when you talk that that it triggered the misophonia I suffer from. 😢

[@wendystumbaugh695]

Why on earth would you say that?

[@michellehall5373]

It's probably her trying to talk clearly, with dentures, or something. Why would you post a comment like that? Do you expect her to take it as constructive criticism of her public speaking skills? Something she'll work on in the future? No. Do you think it's possible, that you really don't want to listen to people, and so u just found a reason why you "can't"? There was no reason to post that comment...besides declaring how "special" you are, & just plain making fun of her. You need to self-reflect a bit buddy.

[@muppetallica]

Turn your volume all the way down and either click on the "CC" at the top to read the Closed Captions or click on "...more" underneath the title. Then, under "Transcript", click on "Show Transcript". That way, you can read it, instead of listening. Lots of people's mouths get dry when they're giving a speech and not everyone can sip water while they're up there, so maybe just reading the info instead of listening would be a solution for you.

[@marlenestewart7772]

So rude!!!

[@jburgett45]

Troll!

[@SHEELARAJANMD]

Bogus Talk and a wasted time , sad to say there is a lot of audiences and such is life !!

[@marlenestewart7772]

Troll.

[@Here---Now]

" recent finding published in JAMA* that describes an accurate new test that found in a "cross-sectional study of 428 participants, the proportions of individuals with cutaneous phosphorylated α-synuclein detected by skin biopsy were 92.7% with PD, 98.2% with MSA, 96.0% with DLB, 100% with PAF, and 3.3% with no history of synucleinopathy (controls). Meaning that this simple skin test identified people with Parkinsons and related disorders with high accuracy. * doi:10.1001/jama.2024.0792. A candidate molecule for the source of the distinctive smell described."

[@Here---Now]

13:20