Eating chocolate makes us happy. Especially under stress, chocolate gives us instant gratification. But is it good for health. Does it help in small amounts or is any kind of addiction dangerous. Craving starts in the brain because of certain chemicals. Craving is because of addition to a particular thing or food stuff. It is similar to liking a particular person. Because conversation or interaction with that person makes you happy. This is also a form of addiction. Let us understand this in detail.
Understanding feelings and emotions
Feelings are a reaction to emotions. While there are just 4 – 8 basic emotions in a human, the range of feelings are almost infinite. If you get special attention from your loved one, you feel joy and loved and want to give the same feeling back. Emotions are a part of who we are how we were born and brought up. It is not possible to turn off emotions to control the feelings generated. Emotions are created in the sub conscious mind on which we have little or no control at all.
If some person in need comes to you asking for help, it makes you feel compassion for the person and a feeling is created which compels you to help the person. However repeated past experiences will warn you what actions to take depending on what situation you are in. A clear sense of purpose helps in controlling feelings.
The feeling of happiness
Happiness like any other feeling is created by certain chemicals. The brain is constantly monitoring all body sensations and connecting it with the outside world. At the mention of apple, your brain immediately starts painting a scenario. If you are hungry, apple will represent a juicy fruit, smooth and crunchy at the same time. An artist will imagine the color and textures of a red apple and a green apple at the same time. While someone who desires an iPhone will not think about the fruit at all. It is the brains job to keep you happy and healthy, that’s why it is constantly painting scenarios in mind for you. While checking out outside situations does a brain analyze the same situation in a different manner. Yes. A breeze blowing a bush next to you might caution you that there is a snake moving or might calm you by its gentle rustling sound. Reactions to the same situation will differ from person to person.
Emotions are controlled by different mix of chemicals released by the brain. If your brain feels danger it releases adrenaline which heightens the senses. Once the danger subsides, it releases a calming signal in the form of another set of chemicals which subside fear in regions of brain. All these emotions are easily visible on your face.
Chemicals responsible for happiness
Dopamine makes us feel happy for a small amount of time, say a few seconds. When someone likes an Instagram post or puts a positive comment, it is dopamine at work. But the feeling generated by this substance lasts for a very short time. After the time is gone, the sinking feeling returns. Dopamine is addictive in nature and it is not beneficial in the long term.
Qxytocin makes us feel love and friendship. Its effects are long lasting. It boosts the immune system and makes us better problem solvers. Sharing a problem or experience in group therapy, sharing a meal, positive social interaction, long hugs and conversations, giving full attention to someone is all Qxytocin at work.
Serotonin generates strong and positive emotions. For example achieving something or winning a race. Being appreciated for hard work or sense of pride of being part of a movement. If you have a mentor and you get a feeling of not letting him or her down, it is due to Serotonin.
Endorphins are responsible for suppressing pain. If you body is in discomfort, the brain releases Endorphins. Going to the gym after a long hard day works wonders because of Endorphins.
What does chocolate do
When chocolate hits the tongue, it helps release dopamine in the brain. So every time you think about chocolate, your brain remembers the feel good factor created by dopamine. We want chocolate because it lowers our stress level provides us with comfort and reassurance. But remember, dopamine is the short term happiness pill, the effect subsides very soon. But still, the happy factor is so addictive that on a bad day when you are stressed, you will crave for chocolate as a quick fix for stress.
For physical needs, chocolate is also a source of magnesium which is naturally deficient in women. Chocolate cravings increase during periods.
Is chocolate bad
Chocolate gives you a quick burst of energy by spiking your blood sugar levels but the effect wears out fast and you are left with a feeling of being drained. As chocolate enters our mouth, for that moment we forget everything and just feel happy. But after we swallow it, the feeling goes away as instantly as it came. This makes us crave for more chocolate and we reach out for more.
Any substance abuse is bad for health. It is addictive no doubt and gives instant happiness, something which we all crave for. Food incidentally is the most abused substances in the world, because it is socially acceptable. You can eat any amount of food without worrying about the social and physical consequences.
How to get rid of the craving
- Calculate your daily energy needs and include that in your diet plan for a daily meal. Regular supply of nutrients will help remove the dependency on chocolate. Avoid a starvation based diet.
- Remove chocolate based dessert from your list of after dinner items. Replace it with a much healthier green tea.
- When stressed out, a little bit of exercise will help. It releases endorphin which is a better alternative to dopamine. Even a walk will help out.
- The less healthy versions of chocolate are those mixed with milk and sugar. Go for the dark variety with more cocoa. Chocolate in its purest form is bitter to taste, but it has antioxidants and help lower cholesterol.
- Try not to skip meals and include high fiber foods to balance your sugar levels.
- Drink lots of water.