Chocolate is not a controlled substance, and it cannot be prescribed — meaning for all intents and purposes, it is not a drug. However, for a person who has been struggling with compulsive overeating or any other type of eating disorder, chocolate can act like a drug.
Multiple studies find that typical sweets like chocolate or cookies can be as addictive as cocaine or morphine.
-- Molecules found in Chocolate. WHAT ARE THE MOLECULES FOUND IN CHOCOLATE THAT CAN ACT AS A DRUG? Chocolate contains small quantities of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid found in the brain. Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that targets the same brain structures as THC, the active ingredient in cannabis.
Chocolate elicits unique brain activity compared to other foods, activating similar brain regions and neurobiological substrates with potentially similar psychoactive effects as substances of abuse.
(drug) Any substance (other than food) that is used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or relieve symptoms of a disease or abnormal condition. Drugs can also affect how the brain and the rest of the body work and cause changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior.
Drug use refers to any ingestion of a drug into the body. A drug is generally understood to be any substance, that, when ingested into the body, produces a physiological change. Although food would clearly fit this definition, scholars generally point out that the definition of drugs does not include food.
A drug is any substance (with the exception of food and water) which, when taken into the body, alters the body's function either physically or psychologically. Drugs may be legal (for example alcohol, caffeine or tobacco) or illegal (for example cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine or heroin).
Chocolate addiction isn't an official diagnosis. Still, it's possible to experience chocolate cravings and eat more than you should. Chocolate contains ingredients — such as sugar and fat — that also exist in other addictive foods. They're the reason many people cave to chocolate cravings.
Enkephalin: The natural brain chemical enkephalin is heightened when chocolate is consumed. Enkephalin triggers opioid receptors similar to those triggered by heroin and morphine use. This chemical leads the brain to desire more after chocolate is initially consumed, which can lead to addiction.
Phenylethylamine is known as the "love drug" and is thought be be the reason why chocolate is said to be an aphrodisiac. It is a chemical that mimics the brain chemistry of a person in love, so when levels of phenylethylamine are high in the body it relieves depression from unrequited love.
Compounds in dark chocolate boost memory, attention span, reaction time, and problem-solving skills by increasing blood flow to the brain. What is this? The flavonoids in chocolate have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain in young and old alike.
To help you overcome your addiction and learn to eat chocolate in moderation, try setting a limit to how much chocolate you'll eat per day or week. Once you've set your limit, you can then plan to only purchase that amount of chocolate so you won't be tempted to overindulge.
Also, chocolate is high in sugar and saturated fat. It is a high-energy (high calorie) food, and too much can result in excess weight, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Healthier sources of polyphenols include beans, pulses, fruit and vegetables.
The symptoms of chocolate addiction include intense cravings for chocolate, continuous consumption of chocolate past the point of fullness, and the inability to control chocolate intake despite health consequences.
Like any other addiction, chocolate addiction has withdrawal symptoms too and the most common are the headaches just like the type you get when you give up caffeine, make sure to drink plenty of water. You may even experience stress and a drop in the blood sugar level which could result in 'the shakes'.
They trigger certain emotions and effectively reduce stress and decrease pain, this is the reason why chocolate is known to be comfort food. Endorphins help in alleviating depression as they act as sedatives and provide a feeling of pleasure and happiness.
A bite of dark chocolate a day could not only be good for your heart, but may also improve brain function, alleviate stress, and lower the risk of diabetes.
Nutritionists recommend consuming chocolate often, in small portions. The daily allowance for adult men and women without health problems is 30-50 grams of dark chocolate every day. With high physical exertion, an increase in the norm by 1.5 times is allowed.
The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. Drug abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related problems.
All the cells and organs need water to function. Water serves as a lubricant. It makes up saliva and the fluids surrounding the joints. Water regulates the body temperature through perspiration.
Cigars dipped in embalming fluid are called smurfs, and the term water often refers to marijuana mixed with another substance--such as PCP--in a cigar.
sugar and highly processed junk foods can have the same effect as drugs of abuse (5). They also function as “superstimuli” – they flood the brain with much more dopamine than we would get by eating real food, like an apple or an egg (6). Numerous studies have shown this to be true.