Diana Phillips Blog

Before I carry on discussing other additives, perhaps a bit more information about the powerful properties of CHOCOLATE would be in order. Chocolate was originally found in the rain forests of Central and South America. The Mayan civilizations worshiped the Cacao tree and called it “food of the gods.“ Rumor has it that the Aztec ruler Montezuma drank 50 goblets of chocolate each day to enhance his sexual abilities.

Putting rumors aside for the moment, there are some realities that exist. Researchers have studied chocolate and found it to contain phenylethylamine and serotonin, which are both “feel good” chemicals. They occur naturally in our bodies and are released by our brains when we are happy or feeling loving or passionate. It produces a euphoric feeling, like when you’re in love.

In addition to those two chemicals, researchers at the Neuroscience Institute in San Diego, California, say that chocolate may also contain substances that have the same effect on the brain as marijuana. The substance is a neurotransmitter called anandamide. The amount of anandamide in chocolate is not enough to get a person “high” like marijuana, but it could be enough to contribute to the good feelings that serotonin and phenylethylamine produce.

Does that mean it increases sexual desire? Montezuma would say yes. I suggest you find out for yourself.