It’s February and as Valentine’s Day approaches, Love and Chocolate abound. How did “Chocolate is Love” come to be and why do we crave it so? Scientists wondered too and among chocolates 380 known chemicals discovered compounds that affect our Brain and Mood. “Many of the chemicals in chocolate are found in other foods, yet we don’t buy heart-shaped bananas to show that special someone that we care for them” says Ellen Kuwana.
The ancient Mayans and Aztecs drank cacao (the chocolate bean), ground into hot water, with chilies in it. They valued it so much it was used as currency! In 1502, on his fourth and last voyage to the New World, Christopher Columbus seized the contents of a canoe transporting agricultural products, including cacao beans. He brought these back to Spain. Chocolate did not become popular until decades later when sugar was added. Becoming the preferred drink of the Royal Courts in Europe, it was believed to cure any illness.
Chocolate the Plant
Cacao beans grow on the Theobroma cacao tree. Pollinated by insects called midges, cacao is grown only within 10-20 degrees latitude of the Equator. This includes West Africa, Central America, parts of South America, and the Caribbean Islands. The beans grow in fruit pods which are about the size of a hand, and contain 20-50 beans . The pods turn bright yellow, orange, or red when ripe, and are generally harvested twice a year. The beans are dried, the center part removed by hand, then allowed to ferment. After drying again they can be sold. The chocolate manufacturer then separates the beans from debris, removes the hard outer shell, and grinds the center part of the bean.
Chocolate Industry
The chocolate industry sells five billion dollars of chocolate each year in the U.S. alone. The average person in the U.S. eats 11 pounds of chocolate each year, yet the US is only the eighth largest consumer of chocolate in the world! Switzerland leads the world in Chocolate consumption with it’s citizens eating more than 21 pounds per person per year.
Chocolate Chemistry
Chocolate contains approximately 380 known chemicals, so it’s likely the unique combination of it’s many chemical compounds that causes us to feel happy.
Chocolate Cannabis Connection
Researchers diTomaso and Piomelli at the Neurosciences Institute, looked into the chemical components of Chocolate. They found three substances in Chocolate that “could act as Cannabinoid mimics either directly (by activating cannabinoid receptors) or indirectly (by increasing Anandamide levels)”.
There are chemicals in Chocolate that act like THC to produce the neurotransmitter Dopamine, a “Happy Hormone” that among other functions, affects our Mood, Sleep and Motivation. One of the compounds in Chocolate is Anandamide, the “Bliss molecule” or THCs “plant twin” that we produce in our brain. Anandamide is broken down quickly in the brain so it’s thought that eating Chocolate may extend feelings of well being. Piomelli’s research found two other chemicals in Chocolate that slow the natural breakdown of Anandamide. Dark Chocolate contains more of these compounds than Milk Chocolate. Anandamide and the two compounds not only breakdown quickly but activate fewer receptors in the brain than THC. THC activates many more receptors throughout the brain to produce a much larger effect. Because there are such small amounts of Anandamide and other chemicals in Chocolate scientists doubt they have much of a marijuana-like effect. In fact, Christian Felder at the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that a 130-pound person would have to eat 25 pounds of Chocolate at one time to get any marijuana-like effect. Also, because these compounds are eaten, it’s difficult to determine how much enters the bloodstream from the stomach to reach the brain.
Chocolate Compounds
Many other components that have nothing to do with Cannabinoids, Anandamide, or Receptors may play a role in its popularity and explain feelings caused by Chocolate. Drewnowskis research found that eating Chocolate causes the brain to produce natural Opiates, which dull pain and increase a feeling of well-being. If opioid receptors in the brain were blocked, Chocolate bingeing decreased. It was not clear if this was caused by the high fat or sugar content of Chocolate candy.
Eating Chocolate helps bring Serotonin levels back to normal. Serotonin increases feelings of happiness and satisfaction. Chocolate also contains Phenylethylamine, a chemical related to Amphetamines. Like Amphetamines, this chemical causes blood pressure and blood-sugar levels to rise. This causes a feeling of alertness and contentment. Phenylethylamine, is called the “love-drug” because it raises the heart rate, as if you are in love. Caffeine in Chocolate may also cause feelings of alertness and a pounding heart. Other stimulants in Chocolate include Theobromine and Methylxanthines. These Caffeine-like compounds are weaker than Caffeine. It would take more than 12 Hershey bars to equal the amount of Caffeine in one cup of coffee. All of these stimulants increase the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Recent studies have shown that Dark Chocolate has potent health benefits for people. Flavonoids are compounds found in plant-based foods that have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-cancer properties. Cocoa, especially Dark Chocolate, has high amounts of the flavonoids Epicatechin and Gallic Acid. These two antioxidants protect blood vessels, improve blood flow, may promote cardiac health, and prevent cancer. Two recent clinical trials found that cocoa flavanols also boost the flow of blood to key areas of the brain. This offers hope for developing treatments for dementia and strokes. Another study showed promise in treating blood circulation problems from long-term diabetes. Dark Chocolate has more flavonoids than any other antioxidant-rich food. It contains nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times those found in green tea.
Chocolate Cautions
It may be the unique interaction of all Chocolates chemical compounds that makes us Love and Crave it so. Even with all it’s mood and health benefits there are some cautions. It is calorie rich, and contains saturated fat and sugar, so should be consumed in moderation. A two-ounce piece can be potentially fatal to dogs as they are unable to digest the Chocolate compound Theobromine. Small children may also become sick from Theobromine.
Chocolate and Cannabis Combined
Science will continue to sort out the mysteries of Chocolate and Cannabis. In the meantime, let’s usher in the cold month of February with mood boosting Chocolate and Cannabis. At ACS we have a variety of both Chocolate and Cannabis products to add to your wellness regime. As always, consume responsibly!