Tag Archive: endorphins
Do You Think You Are Addicted To Chocolate?
April 12, 2022
Did you know that according to research, chocolate is one of the most craved foods in the world? Some people even claim that they are chocoholics but, is it really possible to be addicted to it? Can we even consider it as a drug?
The ‘Emotional’ Benefits of Chocolate
September 6, 2012
Many experts have advertised that it takes only a spoonful of chocolate to send a person into a sense of bliss and ecstasy. This may sound like it's a bit of an exaggeration, but recent research shows that certain foods can affect people's mood similarly to prescription medications.
Naturally occurring chemicals in foods can be considered as a smart and safe choice rather than having to take pills for mood enhancement. I personally believe that it is just wise and healthy to go 'green' and natural in the food we consume. Aside from the many benefits it brings, it also assures us of no harmful synthetic chemicals entering our bodies.
The Torrey Pines Institute of Molecular Studies located in California conducted a study of the effects of more than 1,700 commonly occurring substances that are present in everyday foods. The fact that chocolate is known to have a 'positive' boosting effect on people's mood made it a good candidate for further scrutiny in the study.
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Dark Chocolate Can Alleviate PMS Symptoms
February 21, 2012
Premenstrual syndrome or PMS is a collective term for all the physical and emotional symptoms that come with a woman's menstrual cycle. Such symptoms are due to the changes in estrogen and progesterone levels in the female body during women's monthly periods. Often times, these symptoms cause immense discomfort and distress.
Such changes can bring about a domino effect in the body which often leads to a temporary drop in the levels of hormones serotonin and endorphins, both considered to be feel-good hormones.
Being irritable and feeling exhausted all the time are among the most common symptoms experienced when PMS-ing. It goes without saying that it can be such a pain in the neck, but there are measures one can take to somehow alleviate the symptoms.
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Is Chocolate a Mood Food?
November 11, 2010
You've heard things about chocolate: chocolate makes you feel good, in love, amorous, calm, not depressed. Fact or fiction?
There is no doubt chocolate brings about chemical reactions in the body, in fact, all food stimulates endorphins in the brain when eaten. But even with all that going on, scientists have yet to find sufficient evidence that proves chocolate and other “mood foods” can cause enough bodily changes to be noticeable.
Scientists know that neurotransmitters affect the brain. High levels of serotonin are associated with feelings of being calm, happy, and relaxed; and dopamine and norepinephrine cause feelings of pleasure and reward. The physiological connection between food and brain chemicals has been documented but the effects are usually not enough to make a real difference in our moods.
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