The scent of peppermint or cinnamon may keep you more alert and decrease your frustration when you’re behind the wheel. That's according to the results of a recent study led by Wheeling Jesuit University undergraduate student Will Esgro.

According to the study, both cinnamon and peppermint led to increased ratings of alertness and lower frustration. Cinnamon also decreased drivers’ fatigue ratings. The student worked with Dr. Bryan Raudenbush, Director of Undergraduate Research and associate professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV.

Esgro will present the study, Effects Of Odor Administration On Driving Performance, Safety, Alertness, And Fatigue, during the University’s Seventh Annual Student Research and Scholarship Symposium, April 4, 2006.

“By capitalizing on one-on-one research opportunities with professors—a hallmark of Wheeling Jesuit—students can change the world. Because of his work, Will may create more alert and conscientious commutes for drivers and minimize fatigue associated with prolonged driving, thereby reducing the number of highway accidents and fatalities,” says Dr. Raudenbush.

Each spring, Wheeling Jesuit University students present the results of their senior year research projects as they take part in the University’s Research and Scholarship Symposium. More than 75 students will present research projects during the 2006 event.

The study builds on Dr. Raudenbush's past research, which indicated the odors of peppermint and cinnamon enhance motivation, performance, and alertness, decrease fatigue, and serve as central nervous system stimulants.

"Given these results, it is reasonable to expect that the presentation of peppermint or cinnamon odor while driving may produce a more alert and conscientious driver, and minimize the fatigue associated with prolonged driving," says Dr. Raudenbush.

"In general, prolonged driving led to increased anger, fatigue, and physical demand, and decreased vigor. However, fatigue ratings were decreased in the cinnamon condition. Both cinnamon and peppermint administration led to increased ratings of alertness in comparison to the no-odor control condition over the course of the driving scenario. Periodic administration of these odors over long term driving may prove beneficial in maintaining alertness and decreasing highway accidents and fatalities," says Dr. Raudenbush.

Results Summary:
• Peppermint is associated with decreased anxiety while driving.
• Peppermint is associated with decreased fatigue while driving.
• Peppermint and cinnamon are associated with decreased driving frustration.
• Peppermint and cinnamon are associated with decreased temporal demand while driving.
• Peppermint and cinnamon are associated with greater levels of driving alertness.
Grants from NSF and NASA supported the research.