The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors that are densely packed throughout our brains and bodies. The "cannabinoid" receptors in the brain - the CB1 receptors - outnumber many of the other receptor types on the brain [1].
Cacao and chocolate also contain compounds that can interact with the endocannabinoid system. Cacao nibs contain anandamide, an endocannabinoid that’s produced in the brain and is known as the bliss neurotransmitter [2]. Cacao also works to naturally deactivate fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which is an enzyme that’s part of the endocannabinoid system and breaks down anandamide [3]. Additionally, three substances in chocolate and cocoa powder may mimic cannabinoids by activating receptors or increasing anandamide levels [4].
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