Spices Might Perk Up More Than Your Taste Buds

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Over the years coffee has been the energy booster chosen by millions but a new generation has discovered a wide variety of new products with all sorts of claims as energy boosters. Unfortunately, many of these choices have unwanted and sometimes risky side effects.

Well you might be interested to know that you might do just as well sniffing pleasant odors. A West Virginia study found sniffing peppermint or cinnamon can increase alertness and reduce fatigue. It might even help with road rage. The scientists found in their study that those given peppermint said fatigue, anxiety, and driver frustration were reduced while energy levels increased.

As for cinnamon, it made drivers more alert and lowered their anxiety.