The Bitter Truth: Alcohol Use and Its Effects on Chemosensory Function

About this Seminar

Chemosensory dysfunction — impairments in smell and taste — is an often overlooked yet deeply consequential dimension of health. In this talk, Dr. Paule Joseph explores how these sensory deficits intersect with alcohol use, mental health, and quality of life. Drawing from multiple studies, she will highlight emerging evidence that links heavy alcohol consumption to altered chemosensory perception, including diminished sensitivity to harmful stimuli and increased sensitivity to rewarding ones. The discussion will also examine how sensory distortions such as parosmia and phantosmia relate to problematic drinking and depressive symptoms. These findings reveal that chemosensory dysfunction is not a peripheral issue — it can shape behavior, emotional well-being, and even social engagement. Dr. Joseph will argue for the integration of sensory health assessments into the clinical and public health frameworks for alcohol use disorders, suggesting that early detection of smell and taste changes could serve as a critical window for intervention.

Additional Details

This is a free event hosted by the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and co-sponsored by the institute's Center for Health Behaviors Research and the Addiction Recovery Research Center. The Pioneers in Biomedical Research Seminar Series, which runs annually from September to May, has featured leading biomedical researchers from throughout the country since the program began in 2012. The lectures are also open to all members of the Virginia Tech community including graduate students, undergraduates, faculty, and staff, as well as the public.

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