Love and Chocolate
By: Fiona Maclean
Do you believe in Love at First Sight? Well I do, and what’s more scientists seem to back me up. They now believe that the initial phase of falling in love is due to a whole cocktail of chemicals that are released into the brain so that, biochemically speaking, passionate love is similar to substance abuse. And strangely enough, chocolate also causes the brain to release chemicals, in this case b-endorphin, a naturally occurring chemical similar to opium. So, you really can be addicted to love and addicted to chocolate!
Sex and physical attraction to a new partner stimulate the release of hormones designed to keep us together for long enough to reproduce successfully! We are attracted to people who are like us or like our parents in some way (genetics and smell/pheromones both come into play here) and who have characteristics that make us believe they are likely to be a good partner in terms of producing children.
Initial desire or lust is brought on by surges of sex hormones including estrogen and testosterone. These produce a relatively indiscriminate desire for physical gratification. When you fall in love, increases in secretion of PEA or b-Phenylethylamine, creates natural ‘high’ and helps mask any failings of your potential mate. This can last for the first two to four years of the relationship. Gradually over this period, the levels of PEA return to normal.
Hopefully by this stage, you will have got to know your partner and to love him or her despite their faults. And, so long as you keep having a physical relationship (even just cuddling) there are hormones which increase and help to create a bond between you.
And the good news is that both sex and chocolate are good for you! There are all sorts of figures about how many calories you can burn up during sex. And of course, they are all pretty meaningless because it depends on your level of activity. But, that apart, the act of sex causes yet more chemicals to be released into your body including increases in levels of oxytocin, serotonin, vasopressin and endogenous opioids (which has a similar effect to heroin!).
Sex helps increase the blood flow to your brain and to all other organs of your body. Lowering your cholesterol is another benefit of sex as a form of exercise. Sex helps lower the overall cholesterol level. It helps to tips the HDL/LDL (good/bad) cholesterol balance towards the healthier HDL side. And, as oxytocin, one of a the cocktail of hormones released by sex, is secreted in your body it releases endorphins. These natural opiates mean that sex can act as a powerful pain killer.
Similarly, Chocolate is also believed to be good for you – at least the dark sort with over 70% cocoa solids. Chocolate carries high levels of chemicals called phenolics,. These antioxidant phenolics prevent cholesterol from oxidizing and clogging the blood vessels. And, more research recently carried out at King’s College, London, suggests that these antioxidants also help decrease stress levels and protect against disease. In addition to its beneficial effect on blood cholesterol levels, recent research has shown that cocoa contains a wealth of phytochemicals and polyphenols, which have significant antioxidant properties and may help to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
So, now, when you are worried about your addiction to love…or to chocolate…just relax in the knowledge that you are doing yourself good!
Fiona Maclean is an entrepreneur and website owner specialising in online dating and singles in the UK. Her website UK Dating Sites reviews all the leading UK online dating sites and singles organisations.