To stay alert behind the wheel on long road
trips, skip the coffee and try sniffing peppermint or
cinnamon. Researchers from West Virginia have found that
getting a whiff of pleasant odors periodically while driving
increases alertness, reduces fatigue, and even lowers
drivers' anxiety and frustration.
Increased driver alertness could lead to fewer accidents
on the highway and decreased frustration could translate
into fewer instances of "road rage," Dr. Bryan Raudenbush
from Wheeling Jesuit University stated.
The current study builds on previous work by Raudenbush
and his colleagues, which suggested that, by stimulating
the nervous system, peppermint and cinnamon odors enhance
motivation and performance, increase alertness, and decrease
fatigue among athletes and clerical office workers.
To test the effects of these odors on drivers, Raudenbush's
group had 25 college undergrads sniff peppermint, cinnamon,
or a non-odor control for 30 seconds every 15 minutes
during simulated driving conditions.
In general, prolonged driving led to increased anger
and fatigue, and decreased vigor, they report.
However, with the peppermint scent, fatigue, anxiety,
and driver frustration ratings fell significantly, while
driver alertness ratings rose impressively.
Smelling cinnamon also made drivers more alert and lowered
their levels of frustration. Ratings of "workload" associated
with driving also fell with periodic whiffs of cinnamon.
Given these results, Raudenbush said, it is reasonable
to expect that periodic sniffs of peppermint or cinnamon
may produce a more alert and conscientious driver and
minimize fatigue associated with long road trips.
"While we used scents delivered through the nose, our
past research suggests that mints or gums could also provide
the same effects," Raudenbush added.
