Mental Health Humor and Cartoons

Mental Health Humor: Ask Dr. Bob Bob, Is Chocolate Really Good For Depression.

Sunday’s post was about chocolate and depression. I talked about Phenylethylamine (PEA). This is a natural forming chemical in your brain that helps you feel good. It is also found in chocolate. Now I must tell you like all studies they have one party telling you one thing while the other party saying another. The fact about how the chemical really works and what side effects are confusing at best. And it is important to note that the idea that chocolate is a good alternative, home remedy for depression has been disputed over and over again.

This is what we do know, Phenylethylamine is a chemical in the body and found in chocolate and works like an amphetamine.

“Researchers believe that our body releases phenylethylamine when we are in love, thus producing the uplifted mood associated with love. At one time, it was rumored that chocolate produces the same feelings because of the phenylethylamine it contains. Unfortunately, tests now show that the phenylethylamine in chocolate is broken down before it can affect the brain in this way.”

Fact, chocolate may cause migraines. Just ask my wife, if she eats too much of it, she will get one almost every time.

Fact, chocolate is NOT good for your diet.

Now I have read over the study from and “According to Christian Felder of the National Institute of Mental Health, a 130-pound individual would need to consume 25 pounds of chocolate in one sitting to achieve a marijuana-level high.”

Now for me I have to disagree, every time I eat something sweet, I would get more than a sugar high. But with every high there was a low. This is one of the problems with the idea of chocolate as a mood stabilizer. You can crash, and your mood will be even worse.

So, even though I can see real benefits of the use of chocolate as a temporary pick me up when you are down. I would not rely on it as a solution. The health concerns out weigh any lasting relief you may get.

But, it’s still is a good way to end a hard day… especially with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. What are your thoughts? Let me know. Tomorrow, we will talk about Omega-3.

Permission granted for non-profit use by artist: Chato B. Stewart.

^^^ When using this cartoon on your non-profit blog you must link us.^^^
Thanks for dropping by:

Chato B. Stewart
Mental Health Advocate - Cartoonist - and a few other things!
http://www.mentalhealthhumor.com

“Using Humor to Heal and Educate with badly drawn cartoons.”

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