Made from the seeds of the tropical cocoa tree, chocolate has an alluring aroma and rich, creamy taste that few can resist. Chocolate may go straight to the hips, but it also goes straight to the brain, triggering a series of psychological effects that keep chocoholics coming back for more.
The Anandamide Connection
Although chocolate and marijuana have no family ties whatsoever, it seems that the two have something in common -- anandamide. Anandamide is a lipid neurotransmitter that the brain produces naturally. According to the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, anandamide binds to certain brain sensors, which trigger euphoria. Two other chemicals in chocolate, phenylethylamine and tryptophan, interfere with the breakdown of anandamide in your body, prolonging your feelings of well being.
Sleep
If you are having trouble falling or staying asleep, you may want to consider your chocolate consumption. According to The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Schusterman Center, chocolate contains caffeine, a chemical that stimulates your brain and interferes with your sleep patterns. Just like coffee, nicotine and sugar, too much before bed can make it difficult for you to get a good night’s rest. If you are a chocolate lover, eat it earlier in the day when it is less likely to disturb your sleep.
Chocolate Overload
Eating too much chocolate may cause you to gain a few pounds and it may also give you a headache. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio explains that eating too much chocolate can result in a serotonin rush. This serotonin rush may be the cause of your chocolate-related headaches. If you are a migraine sufferer, you are probably more likely to experience a headache after eating chocolate than someone without a history of migraines.
Epicatechin
Dark chocolate contains epicatechin, a flavonoid that may have potential health benefits. According to researchers at John Hopkins University School of Medicine, epicatechin stimulates the brain, triggering the production of NF-E2-related factor 2, or Nrf2, and heme oxygenase 1, or HO-1, both of which are pathways or power lines to the brain. In mice studies, these pathways protect nerve cells in the brain from the catastrophic effects of a stroke. Research is ongoing as to whether epicatechin can also help guard against degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
References
- “The News”; The Pleasure of Chocolate; February 2001
- The University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Schusterman Center: To Sleep or Not to Sleep
- University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey: The Dope on Chocolate
- “The JHU Gazette”; How Dark Chocolate May Guard Against Brain Injury From Stroke; Stephanie Desmon; May 2010
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