We don’t always get to choose our unique abilities, and for Joy Milne, her remarkable gift—a heightened sense of smell—came from her mother’s side of the family.
Milne’s extraordinary olfactory skill might have remained untapped if not for her late husband, Les Milne. The couple met in their teens, and as Joy described to NPR, it was “love at first sniff” due to his distinctive and pleasant scent.
However, as the years went by, Joy noticed a troubling change. Les, who was in his 30s, began to emit an “overpowering, unpleasant yeast-like smell.” Initially, it was dismissed as a hygiene issue, but Joy soon observed more concerning changes in his behavior. Les became moody, irritable, and even aggressive, symptoms that eventually led to a Parkinson’s diagnosis at age 45.
Joy's realization of her ability to detect Parkinson’s came when she noticed a similar smell in a Parkinson’s support group. Her discovery led her to collaborate with researchers at the University of Edinburgh, where her talent was rigorously tested. She was able to identify Parkinson’s with exceptional accuracy.
This breakthrough has led to the development of a novel detection method inspired by Joy's ability. Researchers have found that Parkinson’s alters a person’s odor due to changes in sebum, or skin oil. By running a cotton swab along the back of the neck and analyzing the molecules present, doctors can now detect Parkinson’s with 95% accuracy in laboratory settings, according to the BBC.
While this method is still in its early stages, it offers promising potential. Currently, diagnosing Parkinson’s often occurs only after significant neuronal damage has occurred—over 50%—as noted by Joy in an interview with Sky News. Earlier detection could improve quality of life through interventions such as exercise and diet changes, which, as Joy shared with The Guardian, can significantly impact symptoms.
Les passed away in 2015 at age 65. An earlier diagnosis might have allowed for better management of his condition, providing more time for travel and family. An early diagnosis could have also explained his mood swings and made the remaining time more meaningful.
Before his death, Les encouraged Joy to continue using her gift to help others, believing it would make a difference. Joy is honoring that wish by applying her “super smeller” abilities to detect other diseases such as cancer and tuberculosis (TB).
Although her heightened sense of smell can be challenging in everyday situations like shopping, Joy views it as a valuable tool for making a positive impact on others’ lives.