CBD chocolate—a delicious way to boost brain health

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a unique chemical compound found in the cannabis sativa plant. Your body has countless receptors that catch specific chemicals, such as those found in hemp and in chocolate. Have you noticed how satisfying a bite of chocolate is? That is the result of natural chemical reactions increasing the flow of endorphins. More specifically, what you are experiencing is an activation of your endocannabinoid system (ECS). Your ECS is a system of receptors that bind to cannabinoids when they are introduced. The combination of CBD and dark chocolate has proven to be very synergistic.

How to take CBD-rich hemp extract with the added benefits from dark chocolate

Anandamide, also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), is a fatty acid neurotransmitter present in dark chocolate and also produced naturally in your brain. When it comes to brain health, anandamide prompts the regulation of serotonin and dopamine which has a beneficial cascading effect on your other neurotransmitters. Healthy levels of serotonin encourage a biological balance to your mood, appetite, and cognitive functions: memory, learning, thinking, feeling, sensation, and intuition.

It is no wonder why anandamide has been called the messenger of bliss. Named after the Sanskrit word for bliss, this is partly why it feels so good to let a morsel of chocolate melt on your tongue.

Anandamide in chocolate

Chocolate happens to be the most anandamide-rich food on the planet. Once ingested, Anandamide is picked up by your endocannabinoid receptors just like hemp CBD. 

Perhaps most interestingly, consuming dark chocolate could have both short-term and long-term effects on brain function by increasing blood flow to the brain. This could enhance neuroplasticity, as well as improve cognition and memory, and has been shown to extend the duration of CBD’s beneficial effects.

In this study, researchers conclude that natural fats in chocolate facilitate a process called lipid micro-encapsulation. This protects the CBD molecules during digestion, resulting in larger quantities of CBD being delivered to your bloodstream. 

Digestion & Absorption

Ingesting CBD by eating or drinking a CBD product, such as a CBD chocolate bar, will take about 30 minutes for it to take effect since the CBD must first pass through your digestive system in order to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Your experience with this method will depend on the type of edible, the product’s potency, and your digestive state. CBD is fat-soluble, so an edible with a natural fat content, like a CBD chocolate bar or a dessert infused with drops of an MCT oil-based CBD tincture, will increase the absorption rate in the body and offer more consistency in your dosing experience. You can also opt to take your CBD with a high-fat food or meal, but this can increase the variability since different meals will contain varying levels of fat.

A University of Minnesota study, published in Epilepsia, found that “when compared to fasting, taking CBD with food increased the amount of CBD in the body by four times and the maximum amount recorded in the participants’ blood by 14 times.” If you’re taking a CBD capsule, which won’t offer any substantial fat content on its own, it’s best not to take it on an empty stomach. Try pairing it with healthy high-fat food or beverage like slices of an avocado, a bowl of coconut chia pudding, or an evening Golden Milk Latte.

Simple ways to find the proper CBD dosage

You may wonder, “How much CBD should I take?” Dosing CBD is a simple process, yet it requires self-awareness. You may have read about the potential for CBD to improve your sense of well-being and are curious to try it yourself. If you’d like to add CBD to your wellness regimen and aren’t sure where to start, we recommend that you begin with the dose that is suggested on the label. From there, pay attention to your body and notice if you detect any changes. If you haven’t noticed any changes after the course of 3-4 days to a week, you might try increasing your dosage slightly. Again, be mindful of how you feel, particularly paying attention to the area you were hoping to address. Visit our CBD Dosing Guide to find the best dosing range for you considering your body weight and desired level of effect.

Are you wondering “Is CBD legal in my state?”

The National Cannabis Industry Association has an easy-to-use resource to help you see the basic information for state-specific CBD policies and laws. Note: All information in this article is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice or a substitute for legal counsel. It is the responsibility of individual consumers to contact your local jurisdiction.