CBD Chocolate: A delight to your senses and truly therapeutic to the body and mind
Many of us intuitively know that dark chocolate can also be a major mood booster.
There’s a reason why you may reach for a bar when you’re feeling low mood or suffering from depression. Dark chocolate contains several biochemicals which have mood-boosting properties. It’s also a wonderful source of anandamide, also known as the “bliss molecule”.
Dark chocolate is also rich in essential minerals, including iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus. The antioxidant activity in dark chocolate has been found to be higher than some “superfoods” like acai and blueberries.
Two other studies, which Lee S. Berk, DrPH, associate dean of research affairs, School of Allied Health Professions and a researcher in psychoneuroimmunology and food science from Loma Linda University served as principal investigators, found that consuming dark chocolate (chocolate with at least 70% cacao) has positive effects on mood, stress levels, inflammation, immunity, and memory. Cacao has been a confirmed source of beneficial flavonoids, but these studies were the first time the beneficial effects were studied in human subjects to determine its support for cardiovascular, cognitive, and endocrine health.
Learn more about the beneficial and blissful compounds in chocolate >>>
Beneficial Properties
Why is cannabidiol (CBD) so popular? It is a unique chemical compound found in the cannabis sativa plant. It is commonly used to help with ailments like insomnia, anxiety, inflammation, and depression. Your body has countless receptors that catch specific chemicals. Have you noticed how satisfying a bite of chocolate is? That is the result of chemical reactions increasing the flow of endorphins. More specifically, your endocannabinoid system (ECS) is activated. Your ECS is a system of receptors that bind to cannabinoids when they are introduced.
Important considerations when exploring CBD edibles
Ingesting CBD by eating or drinking a CBD product, such as a CBD chocolate bar, gummy, beverage, or capsule 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 (ie. CBD chocolate bar or 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 a healthy high-fat food or beverage like slices of an avocado, a bowl of coconut chia pudding, or a Golden Milk Latte.
CBD Dosing – How much is right for me?
If you’re new to CBD or trying out a new product for a specific use, you may be wondering, “How much CBD should I take?” This is a very common question and it’s important to recognize that there is no universal CBD dosage. There are many variables to consider when determining the right amount for you, including:
1) The type of CBD product you’re taking
2) Your delivery method of choice
3) The condition you’re addressing
4) Your desired level of effects
5) Your body weight
To identify the perfect CBD dose for you, first consider your desired level of effect and current body weight. The dosing guide below offers a suggested CBD milligram range based on your body weight, within three levels of desired effects: mild, moderate, and strong.
