Posted by jrbecker on March 22, 2006, at 11:37:10
In reply to Re: Chocolate: antidepressant effect or dysphoria, posted by linkadge on March 22, 2006, at 10:13:58
> The study does not seem to be fully up to date. It does not, for instance seem to mention anything about beta carbolines.
>
> LinkadgeWell, the fact that it's due to be published in one of the most reputable psych journals out there, probably can discount your claim that it's not "up to date." But more to the point, a couple of key highlights from this article to keep in mind:
1) section 2.3, which discussed how earlier attention to what is now believed to be >trace levels< of PEA, caffeine, anandamine, and other psychoactive compounds found in chocolate have somewhat mistargeted the real underlying biochemical properties associated with chocolates psychopharmacological effects. The same might be said of the recent claim regarding beta-carboline alkaloids -- just because levels exist in chocolate, does this support the claim of chocolate's supposed psychoactive effects?
2) More importantly, this study concentrates on a psychiatric population, thus, the information is more relevant to those with possible affective/psychotic and eating disorders than those of the "healthier" population. This should also be considered when comparing other studies related to this topic.
poster:jrbecker
thread:623274
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20060313/msgs/623343.html