How does chocolate release endorphins?

Note, however, that the anadamide in chocolate does not work the same way as THC; you will not get the same kind of “high” from chocolate as you will from marijuana, as you'd have to eat so much chocolate that you'd make yourself sick long before you got any serious buzz. read more

Eating chocolate increases the levels of endorphins released into the brain, giving credence to the claim that chocolate is a comfort food. The endorphins work to lessen pain and decrease stress . Another common neurotransmitter affected by chocolate is serotonin. Serotonin is known as an anti-depressant. One of the chemicals which causes the release of serotonin is tryptophan found in, among other things, chocolate . read more

Now, researchers have found that eating chocolate, the number one food craved by American women, causes the brain to release endorphins, chemicals that make us feel good."So we eat chocolate so we release and experience pleasure and so as a result, we crave chocolate,” said Adam Drewnowski of the University of Michigan. read more

As cocoa undergoes further processing to make reduced-strength dark chocolate and milk chocolate, increasing amounts of the nutrients are removed. Therefore, raw cacao powder, cocoa powder, or very strong dark chocolate are recommended for optimal health benefits. read more