Tag: Phenylethylamine

Phenethylamine (PEA) is a naturally occurring trace amine found in plants, animals, and microorganisms, including humans. Known for its mood-enhancing properties, it can be obtained through diet or produced internally by the body from specific amino acids.

Phenylethylamine (PEA) is a naturally occurring compound found in various foods, most famously in chocolate. This neuroactive trace amine has garnered attention for its potential influence on mood and well-being, though the body's rapid metabolism limits its effects when consumed.

Over 4,000 years ago, ancient civilizations used cocoa beans for medicinal and ceremonial purposes, a testament to the complex substances hidden within this "food of the gods". Beyond its indulgent taste, chocolate contains a diverse range of chemicals that contribute to its distinctive flavor profile and potential physiological effects on the human body.

Cocoa beans contain hundreds of chemicals, and among them are several powerful compounds responsible for the pleasant buzz we get from a chocolate bar. This complex chemical makeup is precisely what makes chocolate a stimulant, producing a distinct and multifaceted effect on our body and mind.

According to scientific analysis, tyrosine is a prevalent amino acid in dark chocolate before digestion, with phenylalanine becoming the most abundant after processing. This shifts the focus from a single amino acid to a more complex profile that is influenced by both the cocoa bean and the manufacturing process.

Phenylethylamine (PEA) was once found to be the active ingredient in egg powder fed to children to reduce the incidence of rheumatic fever in the 1950s. This discovery highlights one of the two compounds commonly referred to as PEA, creating confusion about what foods is PEA found in and their respective roles in health.

According to research published in the journal *Foods*, certain cacao products contain phenylethylamine (PEA), a naturally occurring compound that acts as a central nervous system stimulant. In general, the best way to get this trace amine is by consuming foods rich in its precursor, the essential amino acid phenylalanine, which the body can convert into phenylethylamine. This guide explores the foods that can help increase your body's levels of this chemical for better mood and focus.

Ceremonial-grade cacao boasts up to 40 times more antioxidants than blueberries, a fact that hints at its complex chemical makeup. The unique blend of stimulants, minerals, and mood-boosting compounds explains why this ancient beverage is distinct from regular chocolate and why so many people are interested in what are the chemicals in ceremonial cacao.

For millennia, ancient Mayans and Aztecs revered cacao, using its beans in sacred rituals and as currency. Today, this ancient tradition has inspired a question: can cacao cause a high? The answer is nuanced, involving a complex interplay of natural compounds that influence your mood and energy in a much subtler way than common stimulants.

According to scientists, the mood-lifting effect of chocolate is not from a single compound but a cocktail of chemical ingredients. Understanding what is the happy drug in chocolate reveals a complex interplay of neurotransmitters and sensory pleasure.