In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. Eli Joseph and Dr. Janice Gassam Asare welcome nurse-scientist Dr. Paule Valery Joseph, who shares her knowledge about the hidden vital sensory signs.

Dr. Joseph discusses the uniqueness of the neurobiology of the olfactory system, which bypasses the thalamus and sends its information directly to the emotional and memory regions of the human brain. This unique wiring explains why scent has the potential to be an extremely powerful connector to positive memories or traumatic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reactions.

In addition to exploring the uniqueness of the olfactory system, Dr. Joseph also describes innovative studies that demonstrate loss of smell can occur up to 15 to 20 years prior to the onset of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease symptoms, therefore providing an opportunity for effective intervention.

In the course of this conversation, Dr. Joseph describes the importance of the "sensory soul" in medicine, with respect to using clinical data but also paying attention to cultural flavor profiles and prenatal learning, as Dr. Julie Mennella did in her groundbreaking research demonstrating that mothers' diets impact infants' flavor preferences.

Lastly, Dr. Joseph provides a perspective on the "politics around scent" and the use of "Sniffin' Sticks" in bedside assessments and advocates for "biological literacy" as we work toward ensuring healthcare continues to be a safe, fair, and humane experience as we move toward the future and the building of the "bio-record."