In short what it does:
- Overall feeling of bliss or euphoria.
- Relaxes the body.
- Reduces stress and anxiety.
- Supports complex thinking processes.
- Runner’s high effect.
- Plays a role in fertility.
- Modulates pain perception.
- Reduces breast cancer growth (in vitro results).
- Naturally present in the human body and in cacao.
The blissful feeling of cacao
Anandamide was discovered through research to the effects of cannabis and marihuana. THC actually mimics anandamide to bind to the cannabinoid receptors resulting in its feel-good effect. Your body is full of these cannabinoid receptors. Not only in the brain, but also the gut, heart, skin and reproductive organs. This explains the amplified effect of cannabis with cacao.
Anandamide is a cannabinoid neurotransmitter naturally present in the human body. The runner’s high effect is for example caused by the natural release of endocannabinoids. Anandamide gives a similar effect. Extra nice to drink cacao after workout and cardio training!
The highest concentrations of anandamide are interestingly not found in the brain, but in the womb, especially during implantation of the early stage embryo. Interesting, because cacao and fertility are often linked in mythology.
Cacao contains two other substances that mimic anandamide which are N-oleoylethanolamine and N-linoleoylethanolamine. Pointing out further why cacao is one of the most complex food sources on the planet with a staggering number of different compounds.
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Some useful links if you want to dive in deeper:
Anandamide Wikipedia
ScienceDirect Anandamide and overview of pharmacology, toxicology and pharmaceutical science
The neuroprotective effects of cocoa flavanol and its influence on cognitive performance
Brain cannabinoids in chocolate
Marijuana and chocolate