CBD + Chocolate – A Match Made in Heaven

Ever reach over for a bar of chocolate when you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or sad? The soothing powers of a delicious piece of chocolate are hard to resist.

And there's actual science behind that feeling of wellbeing, joy — even euphoria — when you have a bite of chocolate.

Seriously, is there anything better than chocolate?

Maybe — chocolate + CBD.

The Bliss Molecule

Both cacao and CBD increase anandamide — aka the "bliss molecule" — levels in the body.

Anandamide is an endocannabinoid. It's a cannabinoid that's created by your own body!

Anandamide is known to increase feelings of happiness and wellbeing. It's involved in regulating rewards and reinforcement in your brain — meaning that it's released during happy times and when you do things that increase pleasure, like eating chocolate!(1)

Anandamide is so powerful, it might even help ease traumatic memories.(2)

Anandamide & Chocolate

In 1996, biochemists discovered that chocolate and cocoa powder contain anandamide.(3) And they think that these levels of anandamide are what contribute to the chocolate cravings you may get when you're looking for a little pick-me-up.

That's why that heart-shaped box of chocolates is always a welcome sight on Valentine's day. And the warm cup of cocoa is just what you need to get through a cold winter's night.

Chocolate raises anandamide levels in your body, making you feel good. (Pass the chocolate please!)

Anandamide & CBD

CBD is one of the two most prevalent cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. Like anandamide, it interacts with your endocannabinoid system in specific ways to produce different effects.

CBD seems to increase anandamide levels in the brain by preventing anandamide from being broken down.(4) This means that more anandamide (from eating chocolate perhaps?) stays and swirls around your brain, keeping the good feels going.

So, CBD might actually help your body increase anandamide levels naturally, which is great news!

Phytocompounds In CBD & Cocoa

Another reason why CBD and chocolate can be so powerful together is that they both contain health-boosting compounds.

Both broad-spectrum CBD and chocolate also contain powerful plant compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cocoa & Flavonoids

Cocoa is full of flavanols — a subcategory of flavonoids — which are known to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow in the body, and protect against cell damage.(5)

In fact, the flavonoids in cocoa may offer numerous benefits:(6)

• Reduce inflammation
• Neuroprotection
• Protect the skin from UV rays
• Improve cognitive functioning
• Boost mood

CBD & Flavonoids

Broad-spectrum CBD is also packed with many different types of flavonoids. Here are some of the most common ones found in CBD:

• Cannaflavins
• Apigenin
• Luteolin
• Kaempferol
• Quercetin

Each has its own special qualities. For instance, cannaflavins are unique to cannabis plants, and are powerful anti-inflammatories.(7) Luteolin is known for its anti-tumor and heart healthy properties.(8)

Can't get enough of flavonoids? Brush up on your CBD 101 with What Are Flavonoids & Why Do They Matter?

Chocolate & CBD: The Ultimate Feel-Good Combo

Researchers think that consuming chocolate and cannabis products can enhance the effectiveness and overall experience of cannabis.(9)

Both harness the power of anandamide and flavonoids to offer some serious wellness benefits.

What About CBD Candy?

CBD candy is a delicious way to enjoy CBD, or to give as a gift. These days you can find an abundance of CBD candy and CBD chocolate goodies.

CBD gummies are some of the most popular CBD candy treats. Broad-spectrum CBD gummies come in tons of different flavors and are a great form of CBD if you want to feel the effects of CBD gradually.

Since CBD candies like CBD gummies and CBD chocolates are ingested, the CBD goes through your digestive system before entering the bloodstream. This just means that it takes longer for the CBD to fully absorb.

If you want to slowly sink into a state of relaxation — CBD edibles are for you!

How Get CBD Chocolate

CBD chocolate products — such as CBD chocolate bars — are also a great way to get your daily dose of CBD and enjoy the entourage of flavonoids. CBD chocolate products are getting more popular, but they're not as common as CBD oils or CBD candy products — like CBD gummies.

So why not make your own CBD and chocolate concoctions?

A CBDelicious Recipe: Decadently Pepperminty CBD Hot Chocolate

What better way to get warm and cozy this season than with a cup of delicious CBD hot chocolate?  You can easily make this frothy bev at home with just a few ingredients in just a few quick minutes.

Ingredients

• 3 cups milk or non-dairy milk alternative of your choice
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 droppersful of 1000mg Nano CBD Broad Spectrum Oil in Peppermint
• A pinch of salt (optional)

Directions

1. Heat the milk in a saucepan on low heat until it reaches the desired temperature (don’t let it boil).
2. Add chocolate chips and cocoa powder and whisk until dissolved.
3. Remove from heat, stir in peppermint CBD and add pinch of salt.
4. Divide hot chocolate into two mugs.
5. Enjoy ASAP with a bestie!

Prep Notes

For a richer and creamier hot chocolate, replace the milk with heavy cream (or coconut cream!). Add whipped cream and a sprinkling of cocoa powder for a more festive touch.

Not a fan of peppermint? Try it with one of Pure Craft’s other flavors. Vanilla, orange, or blueberry might be the perfect compliment to your cocoa instead!

We’ve scaled this recipe to create two servings — but you can halve the ingredients portions if you prefer your liquid yum solo rather than social. Each cup of cocoa contains one serving of CBD.

Pro tip: Want to make more of your own chocolatey CBD treats? Check out our CBD for Cooking blog section. You’ll find posts with delectable cocoa-incorporating recipes. You can also enter “chocolate” in our site’s search bar to find these posts.

Drooling Over CBD & Chocolate

Thanks to smart peeps in lab coats, now we know why we feel so darn blissed out when we eat a piece of chocolate. Chocolate has been proven to be a powerhouse of positive impacts on health. And it may even boost the effects of CBD when taken together.

Both chocolate and CBD increase the amount of anandamide in your body — helping you feel good. CBD and chocolate also contain flavonoids, the plant compounds that have tons of health benefits for us.

Thanks to the benefits of both CBD and chocolate, it's easy to see why this combination has become so popular!

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References

1. Scherma, M, et al. (2019). Brain activity of anandamide: a rewarding bliss? Acta pharmacologica Sinica. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41401-018-0075-x
2. Bird, E. (2020). Body's natural cannabinoid may erase traumatic memories. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/bodys-own-natural-cannabinoid-may-erase-traumatic-memories
3. di Tomaso, E, et al. (1996). Brain cannabinoids in chocolate. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/382677a0
4. Leweke, F, et al. (2012). Cannabidiol enhances anandamide signaling and alleviates psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Translational psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2012.15
5. Godman, H. (2015). Cocoa: a sweet treat for the brain? Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cocoa-sweet-treat-brain-201502057676
6. Katz, DL, et al. (2011). Cocoa and chocolate in human health and disease. Antioxidants & redox signaling. https://doi.org/10.1089/ars.2010.3697
7. Rea, KA, et al. (2019). Biosynthesis of cannflavins A and B from Cannabis sativa L. Phytochemistry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.05.009
8. Luo, Y, et al. (2017). Luteolin: A Flavonoid that Has Multiple Cardio-Protective Effects and Its Molecular Mechanisms. Frontiers in pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00692
9. James J. S. (1996). Marijuana and chocolate. AIDS treatment news, (No 257), 3–4.