Chocolate!! It really does make you feel good It really does make you feel good

How many chemicals?  Chocolate contains over 380 different chemicals!  Here are just a few….

Tetrahydro-beta-carbolines  More than a mouth full…  Mild MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors. (Similar to antidepressant) Influences mood, food intake, compulsive behaviors, and addiction

Theobromine  Dogs cannot digest  May go “mad” or become ill temporarily as the body tries to rid itself  Could be fatal in large quantities  Babies cannot digest  May become ill

Brain Produces Natural Opiates Endorphins  Dull pain  Increase feeling of well-being  Euphoria

Anandamide  Cannabanoid Mimic  Binds to THC receptors  But be careful….  A 130 pound person + 25 pounds of chocolate (pure) = marijuana-like high

Phenyl ethylamine  Similar to amphetamines  Stimulant  Blood pressure and blood sugar rises  Alertness  Contentment

Caffeine/Methylxanthines  How much stimulation? 130 pound person + 12 Hershey bars = 1 cup of coffee

What do you know now? Ahhh… The joy of chocolate! Reflect: