Woman with Rare ‘Superpower’ Who Smelled Husband’s Disease 12 Years Early Is Now Helping Scientists Develop Test 👃🧪
It sounds like something straight out of a science fiction novel—but it’s a true story that’s transforming medical science.
Joy Milne, a woman from the UK, discovered she had an extraordinary gift: the ability to smell Parkinson’s disease long before symptoms appear. Her incredible journey began when she noticed a strange, musky scent coming from her husband, Les, more than a decade before he was diagnosed.
At the time, no one believed her. Les was healthy and active, and doctors had no reason to think otherwise. But Joy insisted something had changed—not in his behavior, but in his smell.
It wasn’t until years later, after Les was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 45, that Joy’s early suspicions made sense. And when she attended a Parkinson’s support group, she recognized the same unusual scent on other patients. That’s when she realized: it wasn’t just Les. She could literally smell the disease.
Her story caught the attention of researchers at the University of Manchester. Intrigued by her claim, scientists put her ability to the test. In a controlled study, Joy was given T-shirts worn by people—some with Parkinson’s and some without. She identified each case correctly and even spotted one individual who had not yet been diagnosed… and years later, that person did develop Parkinson’s.
Joy’s “superpower” launched a wave of groundbreaking research. Scientists discovered that people with Parkinson’s produce certain chemical compounds in their skin oil, especially on the back of the neck and upper back. These compounds can change their smell—and Joy could detect it with her sensitive nose.
Now, her gift is helping researchers create a simple, non-invasive skin swab test that could detect Parkinson’s years before typical symptoms appear. Early detection is crucial, as Parkinson’s is often diagnosed too late for meaningful intervention. With Joy’s help, science may soon have a way to identify the disease early and potentially change the lives of millions.
FAQs
Q: Can anyone learn to detect Parkinson’s by smell?
No, Joy’s sensitivity is extremely rare. However, with her help, researchers are developing lab tests that mimic what her nose detects.
Q: Is the skin swab test available yet?
Not yet, but trials are ongoing. Experts hope it could become a routine test in the future.
Q: What does Parkinson’s smell like?
Joy described it as a “musky, slightly sweet odor”—subtle, but consistent across patients.
