LOVE AND CHOCOLATE, DAY TWO

Your brain is a “pharmacy” that when triggered, dispenses a variety of chemicals. One writer said love’s passion does not find its moorings in the habitat of the heart but rather in the chemistry of the brain. We know the brain releases the chemical, Phenylethylamine (PEA). PEA is very similar to a second brain stored “feel good” chemical called, dopamine. A third chemical found in the brain is oxytocin, also called, the ‘cuddling chemical’. Oxytocin stirs feelings of safety and desire and thereby creates a mutual desire in men and women to be more sensitive to one another. Women need to know that oxytocin stimulates women while at the same time, puts men to sleep (Ha!). Scientists have established that chocolate can affect the chemical reactions already taking place in our brains. Chocolate contains PEO which is known to stimulate the release of dopamine. It is well established that chocolate has the ability to excite our pleasure centers and create feelings of euphoria. Despite all of this data, chocolate will probably not make a woman or a man fall in love but it will definitely place a person in someone’s good standing.

Rutgers’s anthropologist, Helen Fisher, further establishes the above idea, “the brain makes and releases the euphoric feelings of love and passion”. Fisher’s findings revealed that the brain is stimulated by romantic love in the same way a person craves chocolate. Although early characteristics of romantic love (increased heart rate, anxiety, fantasy) don't last forever these same qualities reconfigure themselves as people age. Fisher said she has interviewed 8-year-old boys who could perfectly describe intense passion for 8-year-old girls just as readily as couples in their 70s and 80s also claim to be madly in love. When asked if placing love under a microscope sterilizes the mystery of romance Fisher said, “Imagine that you know every ingredient in a piece of chocolate cake. And, when you sit down and eat that chocolate cake, it's still wonderful. Similarly, you can know all the ingredients of romantic love and still feel that passion." Bottom line, any runaway brain chemical reaction can override the most logical of minds-- you have just been given one explanation as to why “One Night Stands” take place. Mark Goulston, M.D, professor of psychiatry at the University of California said, “Chemically based relationships is all about the person, the experience, the thrill, the NOW and for this reason, are nearly always short lived.”

LOVE AND CHOCOLATE

This will be day one of “Love and Chocolate”. I had way too much fun researching and writing on this one thus, two days. Let’s begin with some quotes (only a few of my favorites):

If it ain't chocolate, it ain't breakfast!

I only do chocolate if I am alone or with someone (Bill’s quote).

Seen on a tee shirt ~ EMERGENCY ALERT: If wearer of this shirt is found vacant, listless, or depressed, ADMINISTER CHOCOLATE IMMEDIATELY.

Chocolate is, let's face it, far more reliable than a man.

I could give up chocolate but I'm not a quitter.

For those of you trying to defend your addiction, err….‘like for chocolate’, you can be encouraged with the scientific fact that chocolate is healthy for you. Research shows that chocolate is high in antioxidants; has high amounts of an amino acid which produces serotonin (a natural anti-depressant) and, some believe chocolate increases the brain’s ability to store facts (great pre exam strategy!). We also know that dark chocolate can decrease high blood pressure and improve bouts with chronic fatigue syndrome. As far as chocolate and gender go, chocolate is the number one food group for women worldwide and second only to pizza among men. As far as Americans and chocolate go, a BIG, “HA!” on this one, the average American consumes an average of ______ pounds a year (read to the end for the answer).

I close out day one of “Love and Chocolate” with a ‘practical connection’ to chocolate, really! My research showed me that our emotions can actually be changed, chemically, with the additive of chocolate. If this is the case what are you lacking in your life, what additive do you need to consider, to give yourself a renewed sense of direction? NO! I am not advocating you go out and down your yearly allotment of chocolate in one sitting. I am asking, “What healthy, spiritual or neglected additive do you need to place in your life that may make you feel better?” This could be anything. Your anything could be going for a walk or doing that one thing you have been wanting to do but have not just got around to. Be looking for Day Two, “Love and Chocolate”. Now the answer to Americans and chocolate consumption: the average American consumes nearly 12 pounds of chocolate a year. I always knew I was not average!!