Custom Chocolate

Scientists are fascinated with chocolate cravings. They have studied this type of craving for years and years, trying to figure out how and why people seemingly get addicted to chocolate. A number of theories have emerged, but the most common theory occurs as the most obvious--the unique texture, smell and flavor of chocolate provides a level of pleasure unmatched by other foods.

Chocolate contains a number of compounds that notoriously make people "feel good." Chocolate contains stimulants like caffeine and theobromine and central nervous system stimulants like phenylethylamine. The latter two stimulants ignite biological reactions similar to those produced by amphetamines. That being mentioned, many of these same compounds are also found in other foods in the same amounts yet fail to produce the same reactions.

Is Chocolate a Drug?

Chocolate is a mystery. It's also a great gift, especially custom chocolate. In addition, it's a safe gift given its universal appeal. It might not be the best gift for a colleague on a diet or a diabetic, but it's a solid gift for anyone else. Given its biological effect on human beings, I'd suggest giving chocolates to your boss before you ask him for a raise. It might affect his decision.

Additionally, researchers in Spain recently discovered other compounds in chocolate that affect the nervous system and most likely play a partial role in the desire for chocolate. While these same compounds also exist in certain fruits, they don't exist in the same combinations with other neuroactive compounds. My point is this: chocolates are a great, legal way to "drug" your colleagues, friends, family members and significant others.