Mmm Coffee, to sip or smell...

Those poor mice, always being used to test new theories. This time scientists made them sleep deprived. Well, lucky for the group of mice who were allowed the aroma of hot brewed coffee just happened to be the happier rodents during the study.

The Japanese scientists who ran the study found that some genes important for brain function returned to normal levels or even higher when mice were acquainted with the scent of java. This pretty much showed that the sleep deprived mice sniffing coffee didn't feel so tired compared to the mice waking up to nothing but fresh air. Very interesting I must say, I don't know about you but when I was young I hated coffee, but oh did I love the smell. May there really be a connection between the smell of coffee and how it affects our nerves? Does it really protect our nerve cells from stress related damage? Well it may be true for mice but I'm sorry to say more studies need to be done before we truly know the real affect among humans.

I'm curious to see what comes of all this, but I don't plan to stop sipping cups of joe if the affects are similar from just the smell as I do enjoy the taste of coffee now and then. Coffee isn't a necessity for me each morning as it can be for some. There are many other topics, pros and cons of coffee to be discussed but I'll leave that for another day.

One more thing, looks like scientists may already have an idea on how they'll test the affects on humans: "They suggest pumping them into factories to help revive tired workers who can't sip coffee while operating machinery" (http://tinyurl.com/6dblpg). Sounds a bit odd but I'm sure there are plenty willing to give that a try, hopeful of a positive outcome for their factories.

All this talk about coffee has me looking forward to a cup in the morning, buona notte!

-Joe

Mmm Coffee, to sip or smell...