Chocolate contains PEA, the Love Chemical released in Brain

Story:

Chocolate contains phenylethylamine (PEA), the same chemical released in the brain when you fall in love.

Other Versions

Chocolates contain PEA, the love drug that makes people feel happy and loving.

Analysis:

The messages claim that chocolate contains a chemical called Phenylethylamine (PEA), which is the same chemical released by brain when you fall in love. It is a fact, PEA contained in chocolates is considered as a ‘Love Drug’.

Chocolate in general contains many compounds, which act upon the brain and produce a sense of great delight. It also contains PEA (phenylethylamine), the same chemical that our brain releases when we fall in love. PEA stimulates the nervous system, increases the heart rate and blood pressure, and triggers the release of the hormones norepinephrine and dopamine that create feelings of euphoria, making people feel happy and loving.

Phenylethyl amine is a love compound that occurs in small quantities in chocolate. The giddy and restless feelings that happen when we are in love are greatly attributed to this increased activity of PEA in the brain. However, phenylethylamine is quickly metabolized in our body, thanks to an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, and may not significantly affect the brain for a long time. But whenever phenylethylamine combines with dopamine in our brain, it does act like an antidepressant.

On the negative side, PEA can also cause headaches as it dilates vessels in the brain. So it is advisable to keep the chocolate intake moderate.