Coffee's Smell Alone Can Perk You Up

Beverage's mere aroma increases wakefulness, study shows
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 16, 2008 1:19 PM CDT
Coffee's Smell Alone Can Perk You Up
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., carries a cup of coffee as he gets out of his SUV at his campaign headquarters in the Crystal City section of Arlington, Va., Sunday, June 15, 2008.    (AP Photo/LM Otero)

The aroma of coffee is enough to wake you up, a new study shows. Smelling coffee stimulated the expression of genes known to reverse the damaging effect of stress and sleep deprivation in test animals’ brains, international researchers tell LiveScience. Coffee’s stimulating effects have been known for ages, but are usually attributed to its caffeine kick. (More coffee stories.)

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