Let’s be real here, eating chocolate is blissful. That’s why we so often can’t resist the lovely stuff even when we’re on a diet. It’s also why we’re often drawn to a chocolate treat when we’re feeling low. As it's world chocolate day, we here at Candid magazine wanted to pay our respects to the glorious gods of cocoa.
There are so many things to appreciate about this ancient food: its delectable flavour, creamy texture, and the way it just makes you feel good. Well, it turns out there's some science behind the little burst of happiness that chocolate provides. It's the same science that explains why CBD may be beneficial.
The Bliss Molecule Anyone?
Anandamide (AEA) is a neurotransmitter formed from arachidonic acid that is synthesized in the body. The term ananda, which means “happiness, pleasure, joy, and enjoyment” in Sanskrit, is the source of its name. (That’s why it’s often called the ‘bliss molecule.’)
Both cacao (the main ingredient in chocolate) and CBD derived from hemp include AEA as well as chemicals (N-acylethanolamines) that slow down the breakdown of this bliss molecule. It works like this: fatty acid amide hydrolase, or FAAH, is an enzyme that we all have.
FAAH begins to degrade anandamide as soon as it comes in contact with it. So we can safely say FAAH is a bit of a mood-killer. The good news is that CBD and chocolate both inhibit FAAH's ability to break down anandamide, extending the life of our own naturally produced joy.
In fact, limiting the breakdown of anandamide in the body enhanced mood and reversed stress-induced anxiety in mice; according to a study published in Translational Psychiatry. Low levels of anandamide were found to be adversely linked with stress, anxiety, and terror responses in the study.
CBD-Infused Chocolate?
So, if both CBD and chocolate can vastly improve your mood, why don’t they combine the two? Is there someone I can suggest this idea to? Oh wait, there is already a range of wonderful CBD chocolate products available for us to eat.
Dark chocolate, rather than white chocolate, provides the most anandamide. Even better, consume cacao nibs, which are sugar-free and contain a higher concentration of chocolate's healthful ingredients.
Alternatively, if you really want to up your happiness, try a recipe that mixes chocolate with CBD for a supercharged treat that won't get you high but will help your body's natural tendency to get high on life. Bring it on, happiness!
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular CBD-Infused chocolate products on the market
1. Canndid CBD Hot Chocolate
We have wonderful Switzerland to thank for the very first hot chocolate ever made, in fact, hot chocolate was the first manner in which hot chocolate was consumed. This wonderful hot beverage encourages a good night's sleep for folks who have difficulties sleeping and what a joy to wind down with it before bed.
2. Euphoria Mary & Juana Milk CBD Chocolate
This delicious chocolate is available in two flavours: milk and dark, and it is made with the highest-quality cocoa and cannabis seeds. This 31% chocolate bar is both delicious and pleasurable to eat.
3. Euphoria Cannabis Cookies with CBD – Hashish
Chocolate is good in anything. But chocolate in cookies with CBD? What's not to love? This tasty cacao and cereal cookie contains 110 grams of CBD per serving. Delicious and nutritious, well kinda nutritious.
4. Euphoria 12MG CBD Milk Chocolate
Another offering from Euphoria. This time it's their 31% cocoa, CBD-infused milk chocolate. Not only does it look great with its fun packaging, but it also tastes amazing.
5. Body and Mind Botanicals CBD Cannabis Chocolate
This delectable chocolate has a name that is almost as long as the chocolate is tasty. It actively works on those cannabis receptors with 50 mg of CBD and hemp per bar. It's gluten-free, vegan-friendly and made by top-notch chocolatiers.
Conclusion
If you didn't find anything that tickled your fancy here. Why not try making your own CBD brownies? We have some posts on how to infuse cooking oil and butter with CBD. Then you can make all the baked chocolate goods you love, infused with as much CBD as you want.