[HPforGrownups] Chocolate

[storm stanford]

No: HPFGUIDX 2588

Denise - you beat me to it. I wrote a very long post and then ditched it saying much the same - I have bi-polar and find choclate a very useful self medicator (in conjuction with caffine and Prozac). I wasn't sure that it did effect seritoneane levels. I do remember that it provides similar chemcial effects to being "in luv" (similar/connected to effect of sex?). I've lent by book on the bodies chemical reactions to a friend but I read something that suggested that it might be the theobrime in choclate that causes the effect. Theobrimine (if you are interested) is what makes choclate poisous to dogs It is a relative of caffine. I'm not sure this is the chemical compound that it is thou that gives the blissing out of choclate. Theobrimine is found in the highest concretantions in dark choclate.

It was of no surpirse to me that choclate is the cure for the dementors

Anyway, anyone who can explain this effect in more detail ...

storm
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Denise Rogers 
  To: HPforGrownups at egroups.com 
  Sent: Sunday, October 01, 2000 12:56 AM
  Subject: Re: [HPforGrownups] Chocolate


  Peg,
  you've got the right idea.  It deals with the body's inability to regulate seratonin.  I am classified as a maniac-depressant, or bio-polar, meaning that this IS me!  Grins.  My body has a problem with both insulin and seratonin.  Unlike my personal experience with having too much insulin (hence, the need for more sugar), the seratonin is replaced (from what I hear from the psy.) via chocolate.  Sex and Paxil do the same thing, I was told.  I cannot make enough natural seratonin to keep up with the uptake, and have radical mood swings because of it.  I have sorta stabilized since I had Ian, for some reason, but I still get hit with depression at times....but it only lasts a few days now, rather than the months and months before the pregnancy.  Of course, my choice of cure, over paxil (which scared me when I was on it--I really had a reaction in my social relationships!) is chocolate!  Sex I don't care about as much ... lol.

  If anyone can explain the chemical side, I will keep my fingers crossed for this answer!
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Peg Kerr 
    To: HPforGrownups at egroups.com 
    Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2000 1:31 AM
    Subject: Re: [HPforGrownups] Chocolate


    Eunice wrote:

    > Just wondering... why is chocolate used to restore one's wamth after
    > a chilly encounter with the Dementors?? Why not something else? My
    > friend suggested that eating chocolate was perhaps like a joy to many
    > and thus the use of it... But what if one doesn't particularly favour
    > chocolate? Suggestions?
    >
    > Eu

    As I understand it, and I don't remember where I picked up this information
    (some interview or other), Rowling's invention of the dementors was based on
    her own experience with clinical depression, right after coming back to
    London, after her divorce.  When the dementors approach you, you are left
    with only the worst experiences of your life, until you collapse.  You can't
    think, you feel cold and despairing.  THAT's depression.

    And it is true the chocolate is helpful for people suffering from
    depression, for chemical reasons.  Again, I can't remember where I read
    this, but some research has been done into the reasons why depressed people
    crave and are helped by chocolate.  It has to do with the seratonin uptake
    spots in the brain--something chemical in chocolate affect the same parts of
    the brain which processes the chemicals that regulate mood.

    (Help me out with the explanation, somebody; I never took biochemistry).

    Anyway, I'm guessing that Rowling put that detail in because she found
    eating chocolate helpful when she was depressed.

    Peg


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