When we feel stressed, many of us crave something sweet. This is a biological response to situations where we feel threatened, either physically or emotionally. When we feel threatened, the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis is activated, causing the release of cortisol (the main stress hormone) and adrenaline and noradrenaline (fight-or-flight hormones).
These hormones mobilize energy, raise blood sugar levels, and accelerate the heart rate. At the same time, glucose (sugar) is rapidly consumed in the brain, inflammatory cytokines increase, and serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins decrease.
Sweets and desserts, especially those rich in sugar and fat, quickly raise blood glucose levels, providing an immediate energy boost to the brain. They activate the release of dopamine in the pleasure center, triggering a rush of endorphins and creating a short-lived feeling of satisfaction.
At the cellular level, sugar provides ATP (adenosine triphosphate) – cellular energy – and gives a pleasant feeling for a short time. Unfortunately, however, this relief usually passes quickly, as insulin rapidly lowers blood sugar levels and energy levels drop again.
The negative consequences are that inflammatory processes in the body are activated and oxidative stress in the mitochondria increases.
How can we get out of this situation with a positive result?
One of my favorite ways to get immediate relief when I want to go outside, go for a walk, swim, or play the drums, but can’t do so right away, is to reach for some cocoa. In my opinion, it’s a great biochemical companion during times of stress. Cocoa isn’t just a sweet treat or snack, it’s an adaptogen and superfood that has a powerful effect on brain biochemistry and cell function. It’s a great substitute for sweets because it contains theobromine, magnesium, which calms the nervous system and regulates cortisol, tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin, which reduces anxiety and calms, anandamide, or the “bliss molecule,” which binds to cannabinoid receptors, and also contains flavanols, powerful antioxidants that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in cells.
At the cellular level, cocoa also improves the efficiency of mitochondria, which provides more clean energy. It activates nitric oxide, which improves blood circulation, especially in the brain. It calms the overactivity of glial cells, thereby reducing neuroinflammation.
Therefore, cravings for sweets should not be ignored, but rather listened to and understood to see if this desire for chocolate is a sign of overwork, emotional exhaustion, or neglect of oneself.
In today’s world, our nervous system is in a state of almost constant anxiety. If you feel like you want something sweet, especially when you are stressed, cocoa is an excellent choice. This way, you will not only take care of yourself, but also calm your heart and mind, and support your body and brain with biologically valuable substances that help you recover, adapt and strengthen. This is because cocoa strengthens the regulatory capacity of the nervous system, which is particularly recommended for people with elevated cortisol levels and those who have suffered psycho-emotional trauma. For example, psycho-emotional trauma experienced in childhood can leave epigenetic changes in the HPA axis and inflammation genes. (This is one of Jung’s proven theories). Chronically high cortisol levels damage the hippocampus (memory) and reduce receptor sensitivity to serotonin. But cocoa, thanks to antioxidants and microelements, promotes mitochondrial health, reduces oxidative stress, and helps cells regenerate. I hope I’ve managed to motivate someone else to try cocoa. And it doesn’t have to be boiled in milk with a nasty milk film on top. I like a very simple recipe where good quality organic cocoa is poured over with hot, not boiling water, with a pinch of Ceylon cinnamon and a little hot pepper, especially in winter, with a little plant milk and a drop of agave or date syrup.
Psychotherapy 
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