Chocolate Addiction and Homeopathy

I wondered and worried about my recent obsession with chocolate milk shakes, until I looked up the chemistry of both chocolate and milk.

Milk and chocolate have: Tryptophan- an amino acid that influences melatonin and serotonin reducing stress, anxiety, regulating sleep and boosting mood.

Magnesium is a vasodilator, muscle relaxer and helps mood.

Milk has Vitamin D, which helps mood by increasing serotonin regulating feelings of happiness, relaxation, stability and synthesis of brain plasticity

Calcium supports the release of neurotransmitters which regulate mood, emotions and cognitive functions related to anxiety and depression

B-12 supports brain health supporting serotonin dopamine levels-regulating depression, anxiety and mood swings

Casomorphins are similar to opioid receptors, they release dopamine, regulating pleasure and reward, reducing brain fog, decreasing trouble focusing, confusion, nervousness, and mood swings

Chocolate contains PEA- phenylethylamine. It is known as the love molecule, releasing endorphins, acting as a pain reliever and increasing feelings of pleasure

Theobromine- calms the nervous system, reduces stress and boosts immune

Dark chocolate supports heart health by reducing blood pressure, improving cholesterol, enhancing blood flow., lowering coronary heart disease. It has cannabinoid compounds which mimic anadamine - known as the bliss molecule. Creating good feelings and mood.

With all of these benefits, no wonder I have used chocolate milk shakes to reduce stress. Under normal circumstances, I limit milk and sugar due to their inflammatory factors. Milk creates phlegm and mucous for many. It is the number one thing I recommend people to stop, if they have allergies, asthma, lung issues and inflammatory conditions. I think, we all know regular sugar intake leads to many poor health outcomes, too many to mention here.

 I know milk is calming, nurturing and nourishing. It is like Mother love. It’s creamy and smooth. Ice cream is smooth. The texture is luxurious, soft and comforting.

But I was concerned that I needed to stop relying on these two to calm myself. I asked a friend and homeopath about chocolate as a homeopathic remedy. I fit the profile for it as a remedy. So, I took the homeopathic chocolate, hoping it would cure whatever ailed me enough to have me driving to the ice cream shop regularly.

And it worked..I could feel the creamy calm of the remedy taking hold in my body and mind. Since then, I have not wanted chocolate. I believe my obsession to milk and chocolate was getting in the way of my health, physically and emotionally. I was using it like a drug. I needed to stop and back off my dependency. I am appreciative of what milk and chocolate has done for me. It has been real medicine in some ways. It gave me pleasure and calm in a time of need, but it came with a price. My increased waistline for one. I needed to stop and move on from the crutch. It served me well. It could have been a worse choice. So, I thank the chocolate milkshake for the indulgence. I enjoyed it and I am grateful that I have come to the end of my year of living with chocolate.