Does Coffee Aroma Help You Relax? 2026 Study

Possibly, but the evidence is preliminary. In a 2026 study from Showa Pharmaceutical University, 20 young adults sat near freshly brewed drip coffee for five minutes without drinking it, and their fatigue, tension and low mood scores dropped. With no comparison group, it can't yet show the aroma itself caused the change.

Why does the smell of coffee make some mornings feel better?

The sound of the grinder, then the aroma rising as hot water hits the dripper many people feel calmer before the first sip. Coffee lovers have known this feeling for a long time; a new study tried to measure it.

How was the study done?

Researchers at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Showa Pharmaceutical University in Tokyo, published in Nutrients in September 2026. Twenty students aged 2029 sat in a closed room about 50 cm from freshly brewed coffee and breathed normally for five minutes without drinking. The coffee was a Mandheling-based blend brewed by drip with a Kalita dripper: 20 g coffee, 400 ml water at 85°C, about three minutes. Mood (POMS questionnaire), EEG brain activity, heart rate and heart rate variability were measured before and after.

What changed after five minutes of coffee aroma?

Total mood disturbance fell significantly, with clear drops in fatigue, tension-anxiety, confusion and depression-dejection. An EEG-derived relaxation index rose slightly, from 0.74 to 0.78. Heart rate, heart rate variability and vigor did not change significantly so the aroma seemed linked to easing negative mood rather than to feeling energized, which is caffeine's job once you drink it.

Where does coffee aroma come from?

Coffee's aroma is hundreds of volatile compounds formed during roasting through reactions like the Maillard reaction and caramelization, locked in the bean and released when hot water passes through the grounds. That's why tasters can often tell fresh drip coffee from instant coffee that relies on aroma recovery. The study used freshly brewed drip coffee the same way Preda Roasting House roasts its beans to be brewed at home.

Can we conclude coffee aroma reduces stress?

Not yet, and the authors say so themselves. There was no control condition, so quiet rest, expectation or repeated testing could explain the changes. The sample was small and limited to university students, coffee habits and preferences weren't recorded, a consumer-grade EEG headset was used, and individual mood changes didn't correlate with EEG changes. The authors call the results preliminary and call for larger controlled studies. Coffee aroma is not a treatment for chronic stress, anxiety or depression anyone struggling should talk to a professional.

How can you enjoy this in everyday life?

Even if science eventually finds that the pause matters more than the smell, slowing down to breathe in the aroma while you pour your drip coffee is an easy, pleasant break. Try it with a House Blend like Original Blend or one of Preda's rotating specialty roasts or at Goh Café, lift the cup and take five slow breaths before your first sip.

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