The scientific side of chocolate
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The document discusses the scientific connection between chocolate, oxytocin, and feelings of love. It explains that oxytocin is a hormone released during sexual activity, childbirth, and physical intimacy that produces feelings of love, trust and empathy. Studies show oxytocin promotes trust and shapes relationships. Chocolate contains phenylethylamine which stimulates the release of oxytocin in the brain, activating the same receptors in the brain as addictive drugs and the hormone released during intimacy. This may explain the common association of chocolate with Valentine's Day feelings of love.
The scientific side of chocolate
- 2. The Scientific Side of ChocolateBy Kathryn Stanley
- 3. Why do we associate chocolatewith Valentine’s Day?
- 5. 1.2.3.
- 6. What is oxytocin?Released during:Sexual activityMaternityHigh fives and hugsCertain looks, smells, etc.Yields feelings of love, empathy, trust
- 7. Oxytocin and Love:Trust and Empathy In this study, participants were shown images of frightening faces and scenes. Those who had been administered oxytocin show less brain activity in the part of the brain that processes fear. Oxytocin promotes trust.
- 9. Oxytocin and Love:RelationshipsPrairie voles study
- 10. Oxytocin and Love:Maternal Behavior
- 11. Oxytocin and chocolate Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), which stimulates the release of oxytocin
- 12. Oxytocin and chocolate When we love someone, oxytocin is released and binds to the same receptors as the ones where addictive drugs act When we eat chocolate, oxytocin is released and binds to these same receptors
- 14. ReferencesBroadfoot, Marla V. (May-June 2002). “High On Fidelity”. American Scientist, 90(3), 1. Retrieved from http://www.americanscientist.org/issues/pub/high-on-fidelity.Dopierala, Linda (1999 February). “Love, Neurochemistry, and Chocolate: A Word From Cupid”. Retrieved from http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/chatroom/topic/44288.Kirsh et al. (2005, November). “Oxytocin Modulates Neural Circuitry for Social Cognition and Fear in Humans”. Journal of Neuroscience, 25(49), 11489-11493. Retrieved from http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/49/11489.Medina, John J. (2008 August). “Oxytocin and the Bottom Line”. Retrieved from http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1171230?verify=0