General Chat

The pleasant feeling of eating chocolate is caused by a chemical called anadamide, a neurotransmitter which is also produced naturally in the brain. Now where did I leave thar bar of fruit and nut?

I thought it was seratonin?

I did know this and have long used as my excuse to eat chocolate because its good for me! My only problem is keeping the balance between good for me, waistline and smuggling it away from others mutty paws (see my NOooooooooo thread!) x

Chocolate also contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. It is the rate-limiting step in the production of the mood-modulating neurotransmitter serotonin. Enhanced serotonin function typically diminishes anxiety. Yet tryptophan can normally be obtained from other sources as well; and only an unusually low-protein, high-carbohydrate meal will significantly increase its rate of intake into the brain bryan.

Bryan so that's why I crave chocolate at certain times of the month.

yep, that's why it's called comfort food.

OK Bryan - what mood enhancing foods can be eaten without putting on weight then ? Jen :0))

hi jen, regular exercise will help... just think how good you feel after a nice walk in the country. Foods that are naturally high in serotonin are: avocado banana kiwi octupus pecan nut pineapple plum tomato walnut bryan.

Thanks Bryan --- I'll just nip out and get myself an octopus :0)))) Have decided on a belated new year resolution (I know its september!) to get fit and healthy in both mind and body. So wish me luck! Jen xx ps just curious but you always seem so knowledgable - is this part of your job? (please dont answer if you dont wish to ;0))

sort of jen, i'm an emergency care practioner, my job is to get to the patient before the ambulance. but my main interest has always been mental health, which i've studied for many years. bryan.

Just a note to Barry to apologise for hijacking your thread - sorry Barry - but now i know that there is an alternative to chocolate - so thanks and Bryan - 'get to them before the ambulance does' !!!!!!!!! why whats the ambulance going to do !!! - :0)) have vision of maniacal ambulance personnel weilding large axes! thanks again - I know I can pick your brain now. jenx

Mmm ... Thorntons summer collection / Italian chocolates ... :-)

you saw me didnt you ok i bought a bar of dark mint choc in sainsburys but it not nice in fact it is uckie