If you’re like me, a cup (or two or three) of coffee in the morning is just what you need to get yourself moving in the morning hours. However, a recent Japanese study has concluded that it might be the aroma, and not the coffee itself, that gives you that ‘get up and go.’

Researchers in Japan believe that the aroma of roasted coffee beans is just the thing to soothe frayed nerves, and that a simple whiff of the beans could be enough to ward of the effects that a less-than-great night’s sleep has on your brain.

The researchers have concluded that the chemicals extracted from coffee and injected into the air could one day be used as a sort of aromatherapy to revive people. Scientists kept 16 lab rats awake for 24 hours by keeping them in a cage filled with an inch of water. After the 24 hours, half the rats were exposed to the smell of roasted coffee.

Upon taking samples of the rats’ brains, scientists found that the smell of coffee had increased activity in key genes that reduce anxiety and promote cell survival. The scientist leading the study said that the smell of coffee could alleviate some of the stress that is caused by sleeplessness after drinking coffee to stay awak all night.

Ok, travel nurses, I can see you thinking about shoving your face in a can off Folger’s already.