Food and Medicine: A Biosemiotic Perspective

This edited volume explores the biosemiotic analysis of the ecological relationship between food and medicine, proposing innovative ways of considering aliments and treatments. It discusses how human abilities to distill and extract the living world into highly refined foods and medicines have created substances far more potent than their counterparts in historical evolution, and how biosemioticians can come to terms with these networks of meaning.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 21 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This edited volume presents a comprehensive biosemiotic analysis of the intricate ecological relationship between food and medicine. Drawing upon the rich heritage of semiotics in medical discourse, the collection offers innovative perspectives on the examination of aliments and therapeutic interventions. Recognizing the dynamic nature of our understanding of meaning-making in the realm of biology, particularly in light of the growing interdisciplinary knowledge surrounding food and medicine, the contributions herein offer a diverse range of insights and arguments that contribute to a deeper understanding of the broader ecology of organisms' engagement with and transformation through the ingestion of matter.

Bodies actively interpret the molecules, enzymes, and alkaloids they encounter, both intentionally and unintentionally, through their pre-existing receptors. However, the experience itself alters these receptors, leading to the initiation of semiotic sequences and negotiations that fulfill essential functions at macro-, meso-, and micro-scales for the organism.

Human capacities to distill and extract the living world into highly refined foods and medicines have resulted in substances that surpass their counterparts in our historical evolution in terms of potency. Moreover, many of these substances lack certain accompanying proteins, enzymes, and alkaloids that would otherwise aid digestion or mitigate side effects in active extracted chemicals. It is noteworthy that human biology has yet to fully adapt to human inventions, such as supernormal foods and medicines, which may flood receptors, overwhelming the body's natural satiation mechanisms.

This volume explores the challenges faced by biosemioticians in navigating these complex networks of meaning, presenting a valuable and thought-provoking compendium for semioticians, medical researchers, and practitioners alike. By delving into the intricate interplay between food, medicine, and the broader biosemiotic landscape, the editors aim to foster a deeper appreciation of the multifaceted dimensions of this relationship and its implications for our understanding of health, well-being, and the human condition.

Weight: 320g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030671174
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021