The Line At Starbucks Could Get Longer- Coffee Has Been Linked To Fighting Depression

Nothing makes me happier than a Carmel Mocha Frappe. Well ok, maybe a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Or best of all the little cup of Espresso I had in Italy that you see it the picture!  But now science says it's not all in my head!

Women who drink four or more cups of caffeinated coffee daily seem to have a lower risk of depression than those who don't drink java or stop at one cup a day, a new study suggests. ( via MSN.com)

But just how does it work ? Well, the answer is pretty simple.

Caffeine has short-term positive effects on mood, subjective feelings of having more energy and being more awake in the short term," said study senior author Dr. Alberto Ascherio, who is a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.

And here's the more complex answer, ya know if that's your thing.

"Caffeine is known to affect the release of several neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, that had been implicated in regulating mood and depression," said Ascherio, who is also professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

So, basically go ahead and have another cup of Joe! But the study didn't say anything about adding the whipped cream, chocolate or caramel sauce. Have 3 or more of those goodies a day and ya might see results that end with depression lol. So next time you're feeling down just brew a pot of happy, it's much cheaper than a trip to the drugstore!

Now, where do YOU like to get your daily cup of happy?