Dark chocolate contains mood-lifting compounds like tryptophan, magnesium (debateable whether magnesium acutally boosts mood or not, though one study showed that it helped reverse depression in some people), tyramine, phenylalanine and anandaminde-related lipids which inhibit anandaminde hydroloysis in the brain, acting as cannabinoid mimics like those present in marijuana. There's a glitch though: the sugar that chocolate contains can lead to a sharp rise in blood sugar levels, followed by a sharp drop. This can leave you feeling 'down' as your mental and physical energy levels suddenly dip. It is best to aim for a 70 percent or higher amount of cocoa solids, without added milk solids or other dairy products, for maximum health-related compounds as well as less sugar. There's another glitch: as with coffee, the caffeine (and some other chemicals which chocolate contains like phenylalanine and tyramine) can bring on feelings of anxiety in susceptible individuals. And, if you suffer from panic attacks, or episodes of tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, or ectopic heart beats, be wary of consuming regular coffee, tea or dark chocolate as each of these items can bring on one or more of these events.
And, as a final note, stimulants such as caffeine have been shown to increase aggression and anger levels in some individuals.
D.
About Me
- Deborah K. Hanula
- Deborah K. Hanula has a year of Journalism training from Humber College, a Political Science degree from the University of Waterloo, and a Law degree from the University of British Columbia. In addition, she has Diplomas in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Child Psychology, and Psychotherapy and Counselling as well as a Family Life Educator and Coach Certificate and Certificates in Reflexology, Assertiveness Training, and Mindfulness Meditation. She is the author of five cookbooks, primarily concerned with gluten-free and dairy-free diets, although one pertains to chocolate. As an adult, in the past she worked primarily as a lawyer, but also as a university and college lecturer, a tutor, editor, writer, counsellor, researcher and piano teacher. She enjoys a multi-faceted approach when it comes to life, work and study, in order to keep things fresh and interesting. Check out her new book: A Murder of Crows & Other Poems (2023).
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