Just Seeing Reminders of Coffee Can Rev Up Brain

[Judi Lynn]

By Janice Wood
Associate News Editor Last updated: 30 Mar 2019
~ 1 MIN READ

Just looking at something that reminds us of coffee can cause the mind to become more alert and attentive, according to a new study.

“Coffee is one of the most popular beverages and a lot is known about its physical effects,” said Dr. Sam Maglio, an associate professor in the Departments of Management at the University of Toronto Scarborough and the Rotman School of Management. “Much less is known about its psychological meaning — in other words, how even seeing reminders of it can influence how we think.”

The study looks at an effect called priming, in which exposure to even subtle cues can influence our thoughts and behavior.

“People often encounter coffee-related cues, or think about coffee, without actually ingesting it,” he says. “We wanted to see if there was an association between coffee and arousal such that if we simply exposed people to coffee-related cues, their physiological arousal would increase, as it would if they had actually drank coffee.”

More:
https://psychcentral.com/news/2019/03/31/just-seeing-reminders-of-coffee-stimulates-our-brains/144173.html

[defacto7]

1. There's already been a study on chocolate elevating mood.

Not necessarily eating it, but just smelling it had the same level of effect. I can't quote it but I did read about it.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Interesting. Chocolate does seem to have inexplicable powers, doesn't it? Thanks. n/t

[Delmette2.0]

3. Just mention dark chocolate to me.

Then I'm craving a few bites of it and a cup of coffee.