Chocolate with its more than 300 chemical components is continuously being studied for its effects on our brain and body. Due to claims of addicting factors and its ability to alleviate depression, similar to the effects provided by carbohydrates, chocolate may have all the right buttons to keep anyone happy at any given time. Chocoholics will agree that chocolate is the secret drug of happiness, and you can’t help but crave for more. Who doesn’t want to be happy anyway? Chocolate which is considered a "feel-good" food is often consumed during times of sadness, depression, crankiness, and fits.

All of these claims may be regarded as psychological or subjective. However, scientific studies show that chocolate have chemical components that affect how we feel and how our brain functions. These chemicals include:

• serotonin – the chemical found in chocolate which gives you a natural high
• trytophan – the feelings of ecstasy that you tend to feel when eating chocolates are brought about by this chemical
• phenyllethylamine – is another chemical element found in chocolates that gives you a giddy feeling, especially if chocolates are eaten in large doses. This induces physiological and psychological effects similar to those when you are in love
• endorphins – the chemical element found in chocolates that gives you feelings of a warm inner glow
• theobromine – raises heart rate and stimulates the nervous system
• caffeine – keeps you alert and stimulates the central nervous system
• cannabinoid-like fatty acids – structurally similar to tetrahydrocannabinol which is an active molecule found in marijuana
• alkaloids – similar to compounds found in alcohol and is known to partially cause alcoholism

Chocolate does not belong to any of the four basic plant groups of food – whole grains, vegetables, fruit and legumes, and it is not considered to be a drug. However, it has the different components that make up foods and drugs. As a food, it provides nutrients and nourishment while as a drug, it can be used as a medicine to cure or prevent diseases such as heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, stroke and aneurism among many others. This is why delicious gourmet chocolate can and has been used for self-medication if you feel depressed and even if you have magnesium deficiencies. It can also be helpful to aid women with PMS (premenstrual symptoms) to reduce crankiness and cravings for fat, carbohydrates and sweets. 

Somebody once said, "Chocolate is cheaper than therapy, and you don’t need an appointment." And it is certainly a more delicious alternative! 

Tags: psychologial effects of chocolate | psychologial effects of chocolate | chocolate effects on feelings | chocolate effects on feelings | effects of chocolate on mood | effects of chocolate on mood | chocolate psychological | chocolate psychological | effects of chocolate | effects of chocolate | chocolates effects | chocolates effects | chocolate effect | chocolate effect

del.icio.us Digg Furl Reddit