When you’re cramming during the last five minutes before your midterm, it might be worthwhile to chew on a piece of peppermint. Recent studies have shown that this spice stimulates the human brain.

According to www.RealAge.com, scientific studies confirm that workers give better performances on jobs demanding accuracy when “there’s a hint of mint wafting through the room.” For example, participants made fewer typing errors and alphabetized documents faster when under the influence of peppermint’s aroma, compared to the results when conducting these tasks in a scent-free zone.

Because peppermint stimulates the central nervous system, the brain enters a more alert and conscious state ideal for cognitive performance. This is useful not only for students who are trying to remember information during an exam, but also for drivers who need to stay alert on the road.

So the next time you are feeling mentally sluggish, chew on some peppermint gum or take a whiff of some peppermint candy … it’s definitely a different way to tell your brain to wake up!