With Halloween just around the corner, we know that a good chunk of you will be indulging in some, or a lot of chocolate. And why not! Pure chocolate can even be good for you, just watch out for the high sugar content. But did you know that CBD oil has some similar benefits to chocolate? CBD has almost exactly the same effects like chocolate by working on the same mechanism in the body.
Before we dive right into how chocolate and CBD are the same since we know you are dying to know, we want to make sure that you check out our previous blog post on blood sugar regulation. We would not be good nutritionists if we did not send you in the right direction to handle the inevitable sugar hangover in order to help prevent damage to your health.
So How is Chocolate like CBD?
We talk a lot in regards to cannabinoids which are the active compound found in cannabis. We know that every single body has an endocannabinoid system in which these endocannabinoids function to regulate certain processes within the body. In brief, cannabinoids bind to specific receptors in the system in order to activate. One cannabinoid that we do not mention very much up until this point is called Anandamide. Also known as the bliss molecule.
Anandamide is a chemical considered to be both a neurotransmitter and a cannabinoid that is produced by the brain naturally. It is named for the Sanskrit word ananda meaning joy, bliss, or happiness. It affects our energy, appetite, mood, and perception of time, much like some of the compounds found in cannabis. While it does not get you high, it can disrupt the typical operation of the brain.
You can get very small amounts of anandamide from cocoa bean products or chocolate. Chocolate also contains two chemicals similar to Anandamide. These slow the breakdown of this chemical produced in the brain which can further increase the effects. However, CBD has also been shown to boost anandamide signaling and can even provide relief for psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia.
Can Chocolate Substitute CBD?
The short answer is no. Most people reach for that chocolate bar to get a sense of relief and this completely makes sense now. Anandamide is known to produce beneficial calming effects on the body. It can even reduce the production of stress hormones in the body.
The suggested dose of chocolate for this effect would be 40 grams of dark chocolate (75% or more) per day. That being said, you would need to eat at least 25 pounds of chocolate at one time to get an effect similar to CBD. This is something we definitely do not suggest trying at home!
Therefore, for a healthier option, you could simply take a few drops of CBD oil and save yourself the sugar rush, and then later crash. In addition to lowering stress and producing a calm feeling, you can also benefit from the whole host of other health benefits that CBD oil offers which we cover extensively on our blog.
Ready to give CBD oil a try? We suggest getting started with our flagship Aphrodite in the 10 mL size for when you want an extra boost of calm. This product comes with a pleasant nutty hemp taste. The smaller size also makes it extra convenient to throw in your purse and take to work with you.
You can also check out what our happy customers are saying HERE.
