Cacao's blissful effect

Anyone who has ever taken a bite of chocolate has felt it. There’s a certain high, a subtle feeling of well being that suddenly takes over whenever we consume chocolate. Some people become so attached to this sensation that they become certified chocoholics, people who simply can’t wait to get their next fix. It also explains the pleasant feelings of comfort some may get from just getting a whiff of a chocolate-like aroma. Our brain has associated the high it gets with the very smell, touch, and taste of chocolate. But how does this all actually work? What exactly is it about chocolate that imparts a feeling of bliss and happiness to those that get the slightest taste of it? The answer revolves around a little known, recently discovered substance known as anandamide.

Anandamide is a messenger molecule, a substance that helps the brain process all sorts of sensations, such as our moods, appetites, and memories. Our nervous systems serve as our bodies’ communications system, relaying inputs and outputs to and from the brain nonstop. This system is made up of millions of individual nerve cells, the majority of which are clustered together, forming our brains. Each nerve cell’s surface is covered with receptors, which are essentially little locks. When a messenger molecule such as anandamide attaches itself to a certain receptor – like a key sliding into a lock – the nerve cell opens its doors to little chlorine ions, essentially preventing it from transmitting any more signals. With the passage of time, the messenger molecule gets eaten away by enzymes, allowing the nerve cell to resume its normal operations. Each receptor can only be activated whenever it connect with a molecule of a specific shape that fits it perfectly. When a specifically shaped messenger molecule attaches itself onto its specific receptor, there can be several side effects. It can numb pain, which is the same way morphine and codeine work, or it can induce a feeling of bliss – a type of high. This is precisely what Anandamide does. It is a molecule that is shaped to attach to the ‘bliss’ receptors on our nerves, giving us a natural high.

Anandamide is naturally produced by the brain, and is usually released after exercise, which results in what is often called a ‘runner’s high’. It also occurs naturally in foods such as cacao. Anandamide is also shaped like another substance well known for giving its users a high – Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The main difference between them is that anandamide is produced by the brain itself and breaks down much faster than THC, which means it is much milder in its effect while being much safer to use. People hoping to wean themselves off cannabis may want to switch to chocolate instead.

Anandamide is not the only ‘bliss’ provoking substance found in cacao. polyphenols and flavonols are two other substances that can give a person a natural high and a boost in mood. The combination of these three substances is what makes a chocolate high one of the most enjoyable eating experiences. Anandamide can be found mostly in pure cacao and in dark chocolate. This is because the processes that are required to transform cacao into candy type chocolate removes or cancels out most of the special substances it contains, such as flavonoids and antioxidants, replacing them instead with the saturated fat, carbohydrates, and calories packed on by milk and sugar. Dark chocolate goes some way towards preserving some of cacao’s special properties, but to get a full dose of all the good things cacao can bring, nothing beats cacao nibs. These shelled and roasted cacao beans are perfect for the ultimate chocolate connoisseurs, and can be used by gourmets to make a wide array of chocolate inspired dishes.

Hidalgo Foods’ organic cacao nibs are the perfect solution for people looking to get their fix of chocolate bliss. Our organic cacao nibs are of the finest quality and potency, and can come coated in dark chocolate for those looking for the most extreme chocolate snacking experience. Our cacao nibs are just one example of how healthier lifestyle and diet choices aren’t just healthier, but can turn out to be much more rewarding and pleasurable as well.