Chocolates and chocolate hampers are some of the most popular gifts for various occasions. For a chocolate lover, there’s nothing better than receiving and expensive-looking box of imported chocolates! In fact, chocolate enthusiasts will agree that even the smell of chocolate is enough to make them smile.

Take your mind away

For many, chocolate is a kind of “guilty pleasure” because excessive consumption can cause weight gain and other medical problems. When you indulge in a piece of your favourite chocolate, it’s like taking a breathe of fresh air. No matter what’s going on in your life, for that moment, you are unrestricted by the bonds of stress and pressure. It’s almost liberating!

Natural Chemicals

While these reasons for happiness are pretty much all in your head, there are also some very real (and tangible) reasons why chocolate makes us feel happy. Chocolate contains more than 300 natural chemicals and many of these chemicals are known to trigger reactions in the body and brain. Without getting too technical, the chemicals in chocolate cause a release of neurotransmitters which affect your mood and emotions.

More alert

Phenylethlyamine is one of the chemicals naturally found in chocolate and it is known to increase alertness, increase the pulse, and it also gives you that happy feeling. Tryptophan is also present in chocolate and it causes the body to increase its release of serotonin into the brain. Serotonin is known too uplift your mood. For those who are feeling particularly depressed or down, a serotonin boost might be just what they need!

Dopamine

The presence of Anandamide causes the production of Dopamine which is known to create an almost surreal state of well-being. In addition, chocolate encourages the release of endorphins which are known to reduce pain and stress.

So, the next time you want to treat somebody to a thoughtful gift, send chocolates! In fact, if you notice that somebody close to you is going through a difficult time, make sure that you offer them some support by offering them a sweet treat that will give them the boost they so desperately need.