Overlooked Role of Smell in Physical, Mental, and Social Well-Being

Overlooked Role of Smell in Physical, Mental, and Social Well-Being

Author: Dr. Mercola February 7, 2026 Duration: 6:43
  • About 22% of adults have some degree of smell loss, and this sensory change often appears years before serious problems like memory decline, heart disease, or reduced longevity become obvious
  • Loss of smell is linked to higher risks of depression, social isolation, poor diet quality, and everyday safety hazards such as gas exposure and spoiled food, directly affecting independence and quality of life
  • Smell dysfunction often shows up early in neurodegenerative disease, which makes changes in your sense of smell an important early signal rather than a harmless part of aging
  • Simple actions such as regular smell checks, targeted smell training, and improving breathing and sleep patterns support the same brain systems affected when smell declines
  • Treating smell health like vision or hearing and pushing for routine screening helps identify hidden health risks earlier, when there is still time to take meaningful action

Each week, Dr. Joseph Mercola-Take Control of Your Health offers a direct conversation about navigating the often-confusing world of wellness. Dr. Mercola brings decades of experience as a natural health advocate to these discussions, focusing on practical strategies that go beyond conventional approaches. The episodes dig into the interconnected areas of holistic health, physical fitness, and alternative methods for building resilience. You’ll hear detailed explorations of how everyday choices impact long-term vitality, with an emphasis on personal agency and evidence-informed alternatives. This isn’t about quick fixes but about understanding the underlying principles that can help you make better decisions for yourself and your family. The tone is straightforward and investigative, aiming to equip you with knowledge that is frequently overlooked. Tuning into this podcast feels like accessing a deep resource of non-mainstream health perspectives, all centered on the fundamental goal of sustainable well-being. It’s for anyone who feels that managing their health requires looking at the full picture, from nutrition and movement to the less obvious environmental factors. Dr. Mercola’s weekly insights serve as a catalyst for taking a more active, informed role in your own health journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health
Podcast Episodes
Do Fertility Drugs Pose Heart Risks for Women? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:47
About 13.4% of U.S. women of reproductive age struggle with infertility, leading many to pursue assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) like in vitro fertilization ARTs help initiate pregnancy but raise concerns such a…
The Real Reason Your Arteries, Kidneys, and Bones Are Aging Too Fast [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:34
Modern diets hide excessive phosphate additives in ultraprocessed foods, which are absorbed rapidly and efficiently, disrupting natural mineral balance and overwhelming organs far more severely than refined sugar Industr…
Sleep Shapes Longevity More Than Diet or Exercise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:44
Sleeping fewer than seven hours a night shortens lifespan more than poor diet, lack of exercise, or weak social ties, making sleep one of the strongest predictors of long-term survival Short sleep accelerates aging by di…
Are Plastic Cutting Boards Safe? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:44
Plastic cutting boards shed microplastics during routine food prep, contributing to increased plastic ingestion that accumulates in organs like the brain and reproductive tissues over time Research shows knife pressure r…
More Than Half of Americans Live with Neurological Conditions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:06
Over half of Americans now live with neurological disorders, which significantly impact disability levels and quality of life. Tension headaches, migraines, stroke, and Alzheimer's are major contributors Neurological bur…
Why Belly Fat Predicts Heart Damage Better Than the Scale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:10
Belly fat changes how your heart is built and works, even when your weight and body mass index (BMI) appear normal Men face earlier and more severe heart damage because they store more fat deep in the abdomen, which incr…
Low Progesterone and DHEA Drive Psoriasis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:39
Women with psoriasis consistently show lower progesterone and DHEA, two hormones that normally quiet inflammation, making flare-ups stronger and more frequent Estrogen dominance — where estrogen feels too strong relative…
Why Rosacea Intensifies in Midlife and How to Cut Flare Frequency [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:57
Rosacea often worsens in midlife because years of inflammation prevent blood vessels from fully recovering between triggers, making redness more persistent An overactive immune response keeps inflammatory signals switche…