Anandamide. Anandamide is cannabinoid, meaning that it affects many of the same functions of the brain as THC (the major psychoactive active ingredient in cannabis). Anandamide is produced naturally in the human brain and small quantities are also found in chocolate.
Theobromine. Theobromine is the most important neuroactive chemical present in chocolate that stimulates the brain. Its effect on the brain is quite similar to caffeine. It relaxes smooth muscles, increases the production of urine (diuretic), and is a mild stimulant.
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.
One explanation is to be found in the particular constituents of cacao, the main ingredient of chocolate, which are said to have a mood-enhancing effect. One of them is tryptophan. The body uses it to produce the mood-elevating substance of serotonin – also known as the happiness hormone.
Theobromine, which is found in higher amounts than caffeine, seems to be behind several effects attributed to cocoa intake.
For some people with ADHD, mild stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine (a bitter chemical from the cocoa plant and present in chocolate) have similar effects to the more powerful drugs commonly used in treating the disorder.
Pharmacology. theobromine is used as a vasodilator, a diuretic, and heart stimulant. And similar to caffeine, it may be useful in management of fatigue and orthostatic hypotension.
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.
Theobromine is a stimulant responsible for the "buzz" you get after eating chocolate. Ramadan described this as a "buzz of energy, buzz of sharpness of mind, which will actually last for a while."
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.
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.
Why is chocolate addictive? Chocolate is addictive because it is loaded with sugar and fat that trigger brain reward pathways. In general, highly processed foods including chocolates are considered more addictive than foods with minimal processing. Chocolate is a food product obtained from Theobroma cacao tree seeds.
Great news: A recent cross-sectional study of over 13,000 U.S. adults found that people who ate dark chocolate in the prior 24 hours were 70 percent less likely to report depression.
When consumed together, the chocolate helps the weed activate the brain receptors that produce feelings of euphoria. This works by eating chocolate prior to smoking, and also for edibles, which is why a lot of people report better effects from weed-infused chocolate bars than from other special treats.
Chocolate contains a key compound called tryamine, which is derived from the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine is the amino acid precursor to dopamine (Roizman). With increased tyrosine levels comes increased dopamine levels, which results in the activation of the reward center in the brain.
In addition to sugar, chocolate also has two other neuroactive drugs, caffeine and theobromine. Chocolate not only stimulates the opiate receptors in our brains, it also causes a release of neurochemicals in the brain's pleasure centers.
Dark chocolate boosts the production of feel-good chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins bind with opiate receptors in the brain, leading to feelings of euphoria, like the kind joggers get from “runner's high.” They also reduce pain and diminish the negative effects of stress.
The anandamide that occurs naturally in chocolate binds to the same cannabinoid receptors in our bodies that THC binds to. So, when you consume chocolate and cannabis together, that extra boost of anandamide can enhance your high as well as the pain-relieving effects of your weed.
Overconsumption: Consuming large amounts of chocolate can lead to feelings of discomfort, bloating, or nausea. The high sugar and fat content in chocolate can be difficult for your digestive system to process, especially in excessive amounts.
Keep in mind that cocoa contains caffeine and related chemicals. Eating large amounts might cause caffeine-related side effects such as nervousness, increased urination, sleeplessness, and a fast heartbeat. Cocoa can cause allergic skin reactions, constipation and might trigger migraine headaches.
Milk and white chocolate are loaded with sugar and fat that trigger a dopamine fix, but the dark variety holds all the nutritional value.
Theobromine works as a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor to increase intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP activates the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), which is involved in a large variety of brain processes, including the induction of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
While theobromine did not significantly increase any subjective or behavioral measures in the Mumford et al. (1994) study when all subjects were combined, the compound increased alertness, headache, and irritability in some individuals, suggesting the possibility of individual differences in sensitivity.
Theobromine simulates a high, like that of cannabis, but at a much lower level, thereby producing a relaxing effect and relieving stress.