CBD Chocolate: A Perfect Match

Posted on by TJ
A box of CBD chocolate surrounded by chocolate squares and hemp leaves

Key Takeaways

  1. Chocolate infused with CBD is a mood-enhancing food.
  2. Both chocolate and CBD work together when you eat them to give you a sense of calm and relaxation.
  3. CBD chocolate is not a recreational cannabis edible and will not make you feel “high.”

Of the simple pleasures in life, what’s better than a rich, velvety piece of chocolate? How about chocolate infused with CBD? The growing popularity of cannabidiol, more widely known as CBD, has led to the emergence of new CBD edibles, like the subject of this post: CBD Chocolate.

In this post, we’ll discuss how CBD Chocolate can make your days better and pull the curtain back on the science behind the edible. 

What is CBD Chocolate?

CBD chocolate is an infusion of CBD into chocolate via the natural fats present in chocolate (all cannabinoids are fat-soluble.) The result is a bar or square of chocolate that not only tastes good but is a discreet way of consuming CBD.

CBD can be infused into both milk and dark chocolate. The only difference you may notice is in the taste. Milk chocolate’s sweetness can mask the slight bitterness of CBD better than dark chocolate can.

That said, dark chocolate is the healthier choice as it’s likely to contain more antioxidants, which are linked to heart health, brain function, and reduced inflammation. Plus, if you prefer cacao’s complex and intense flavor, you already know dark chocolate is the way to go.

Later in this post, we’ll dive deeper into how CBD compliments one of chocolate’s main mood-enhancing compounds: anandamide! But first…

What is CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid (a special class of chemical compounds) produced by mature hemp plants. CBD is non-psychoactive and has no intoxicating effects. 

At Sunset Lake CBD, we extract our CBD from USDA-approved hemp plants we grow in northern Vermont.

A bar of dark chocolate in a foil wrapper

Why Chocolate with CBD?

Chocolate is always a welcome treat, but when turned into an edible, the CBD inside can help you with:

  • Pain Management – Some studies have suggested that CBD may help reduce pain and inflammation.1 Further evidence is needed to draw conclusions, but who wouldn’t want to eat a CBD chocolate bar rather than swallow over-the-counter medications for aches and pains?
  • Better Sleep – Many studies have identified a link between CBD and sleep quality.2 While the FDA has yet to approve any of these studies, more and more people are using CBD for better rest and recovery. While many prefer more traditional CBD oils or capsules, a CBD chocolate square may be just as good. Because dark chocolate contains tryptophan, the same found in turkey, a small piece before bed may reduce stress and promote better rest.
  • Mood Regulation – Both CBD and chocolate have mood-boosting properties. Cannabidiol can help manage the symptoms of anxiety and bring you back down to earth. Chocolate releases endorphins, a natural hormone that helps manage pain and is a natural pick-me-up. 

CBD and Anandamide  

CBD chocolate stands out as a uniquely great edible because of chocolate’s high anandamide content. Anandamide is named after the Sanskrit word “ananda,” meaning “joy, bliss.”

Another place you’ll find anandamide in high concentrations is… your brain. Anandamide is an endocannabinoid, a chemical your body produces to interact with your endocannabinoid system. The same system that CBD interacts with.

Anandamide Uptake Boosted by CBD

Anandamide is an endocannabinoid neurotransmitter that helps your brain regulate serotonin and dopamine— often called the “happy hormones.” Some research suggests that Anandamide can help reverse depressive-like behaviors in some animals.3 Whether it can do the same for people is still unclear, but a square of dark chocolate when you’re down can’t hurt!

We believe CBD is a facilitator molecule and can help your body more readily accept anandamide and feel the benefits more quickly.

What Does CBD Chocolate Feel Like?

CBD chocolate edibles will feel a little different for everyone. That’s both the beauty and irritation with cannabinoids. We can offer some broad strokes, but the only way you’ll know what CBD chocolate feels like is by trying a piece yourself.

  • Relaxed – This is the most common feedback we hear. Our customers say that one square of chocolate CBD fudge can help them let go and feel mild body sensations.
  • Relief – Many of our older customers say that CBD chocolate helps them better manage pain so that they can carry on with their lives.
  • Weighted blanket – Many people who take CBD edibles in general do so for the sleep benefits they provide. Chocolate CBD edibles are not different. After a bar or square of chocolate, you may feel weighted down and ready for a nice afternoon nap.

Side Effects

Putting chocolate aside for a moment, CBD does have side effects. The most commonly documented are:

  • Drowsiness
  • Upset Stomach
  • Irregular Bowel Movements
  • Changes In Appetite
  • Nausea
  • And more…

If you’ve taken CBD and noticed any of these side effects, you should stop and consult a health professional. They may highlight interactions between CBD and your current medications that you weren’t aware of. 

CBD Chocolate Fudge halved and stacked on a cutting board

No Intoxication From CBD

One thing that CBD chocolate will not do is make you feel intoxicated. Edibles made with CBD concentrates may contain trace amounts of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC but shouldn’t contain enough to make you feel high.

That said, if you have any hesitations about your CBD chocolate product, look at its certificate of analysis. This document will tell you which cannabinoids are in your chocolate and at what levels.

Conclusion

Cannabidiol and chocolate are a powerful, dynamic duo. Together, they can delight the taste buds and settle the senses. If you’re ready, you should check out Sunset Lake’s CBD Chocolate Fudge, a pre-dosed box of chewy chocolatey goodness.

But we understand if you still have questions. If that’s the case, please check out our other blogs about CBD edibles or get in touch with us via our contact page. We may have answers; if we don’t, we’ll find them for you.

Sources:

  1. Mohammed SYM, Leis K, Mercado RE, Castillo MMS, Miranda KJ, Carandang RR. Effectiveness of Cannabidiol to Manage Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review. Pain Manag Nurs. 2024 Apr;25(2):e76-e86. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2023.10.002. Epub 2023 Nov 11. PMID: 37953193.
  2. Velzeboer R, Malas A, Boerkoel P, Cullen K, Hawkins M, Roesler J, Lai WW. Cannabis dosing and administration for sleep: a systematic review. Sleep. 2022 Nov 9;45(11):zsac218. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsac218. Erratum in: Sleep. 2023 Mar 9;46(3):zsad008. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsad008. PMID: 36107800.
  3. de Morais H, de Souza CP, da Silva LM, Ferreira DM, Baggio CH, Vanvossen AC, Cristina de Carvalho M, da Silva-Santos JE, Bertoglio LJ, Cunha JM, Zanoveli JM. Anandamide reverses depressive-like behavior, neurochemical abnormalities and oxidative-stress parameters in streptozotocin-diabetic rats: Role of CB1 receptors. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2016 Oct;26(10):1590-600. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.08.007. Epub 2016 Aug 17. PMID: 27544303.

Note that this article was originally published on February 15, 2021 and updated by the original author on November 25, 2024. 

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