Alternatives to Chocolate for Elevating Mood?
June 28, 2021 4:51 PM Subscribe
I find chocolate very effective at lifting very sour moods that come on me from things like significant stresses, joint injury, or eating something that doesn't agree with me (so, I assume it has something to do with counteracting cortisol.) Problem is I'm extremely sensitive to caffeine and don't like the jitters it gives me (even white chocolate gives me a strong caffeine buzz.) Any suggestions appreciated.
P.s., and I'm pretty sure it's not the caffeine that is the active ingredient here as other sources don't have the same effects on mood for me.
P.s., and I'm pretty sure it's not the caffeine that is the active ingredient here as other sources don't have the same effects on mood for me.
Uh... White chocolate (which is not really chocolate as it has no cocoa) should have NO caffeine at all.
If you get jitters after eating white chocolate, your jitters are not from caffeine.
posted by kschang at 4:55 PM on June 28, 2021 [43 favorites]
If you get jitters after eating white chocolate, your jitters are not from caffeine.
posted by kschang at 4:55 PM on June 28, 2021 [43 favorites]
White chocolate has no cocoa solids in it, and therefore has no caffeine. You are not getting a caffeine buzz from white chocolate.
posted by phunniemee at 4:56 PM on June 28, 2021 [12 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 4:56 PM on June 28, 2021 [12 favorites]
I don't think there's a specific definition of white chocolate but it's typically cocoa butter (or cheaper fats), sugar and milk powder.
Maybe try jelly beans? It's probably just the sugar doing 90% of the work.
posted by GuyZero at 4:59 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
Maybe try jelly beans? It's probably just the sugar doing 90% of the work.
posted by GuyZero at 4:59 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
"eating something that doesn't agree with me"
This sounds exactly what candied ginger is for, IF you're okay with strong ginger flavor
posted by ockmockbock at 5:12 PM on June 28, 2021 [13 favorites]
This sounds exactly what candied ginger is for, IF you're okay with strong ginger flavor
posted by ockmockbock at 5:12 PM on June 28, 2021 [13 favorites]
Spicy food will do it. On the stronger end, the effects can be euphoric, but if it's that spicy it'll also have some digestive downsides.
Someone told me that spicy hot chocolate is a common remedy for the blues in Central and/or South America. Not sure if there's any truth to that.
posted by meemzi at 5:25 PM on June 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
Someone told me that spicy hot chocolate is a common remedy for the blues in Central and/or South America. Not sure if there's any truth to that.
posted by meemzi at 5:25 PM on June 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
Two suggestions. First, seconding mint, especially after eating, as it supposedly calms your stomach. Second, a lot of what I like about chocolate is the creaminess, and I’ve pushed my chocolate buttons with whole milk or even yogurt. Creamy dairy might work.
posted by kevinbelt at 5:36 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by kevinbelt at 5:36 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
Seconding the spicy food suggestion. That's a mood elevator for me. (And of course there's always the cannabis option.)
posted by Redstart at 5:45 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Redstart at 5:45 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
To be honest, it sounds like your reaction to chocolate is most likely psychological, rather than pharmacological. You're reacting to ingredients in the chocolate that aren't there.
That doesn't mean it's not a real reaction, but it does mean that trying to match "active ingredients" is maybe not the best way to find a replacement.
I would bet that chocolate is soothing because it is part of a soothing ritual. I would think about what it is in the experience of eating the chocolate that's soothing, and try to replace it with something that gives you a similar sensation or flavor.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:24 PM on June 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
That doesn't mean it's not a real reaction, but it does mean that trying to match "active ingredients" is maybe not the best way to find a replacement.
I would bet that chocolate is soothing because it is part of a soothing ritual. I would think about what it is in the experience of eating the chocolate that's soothing, and try to replace it with something that gives you a similar sensation or flavor.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 6:24 PM on June 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
P.s., and I'm pretty sure it's not the caffeine that is the active ingredient here as other sources don't have the same effects on mood for me.
Could be the theobromine in chocolate that's doing it. As a kid, I had asthma, and at one point was prescribed theophylline, which is related to theobromine. It made me jittery and was switched out for another drug for that reason (and I'm someone who tolerates caffeine in moderate amounts very well).
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:35 PM on June 28, 2021 [3 favorites]
Could be the theobromine in chocolate that's doing it. As a kid, I had asthma, and at one point was prescribed theophylline, which is related to theobromine. It made me jittery and was switched out for another drug for that reason (and I'm someone who tolerates caffeine in moderate amounts very well).
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:35 PM on June 28, 2021 [3 favorites]
Chamomile tea is soothing, mood lifting, and stomach soothing. No caffeine or sugar unless you add sugar. It’s delicious with a bit of honey if you do want some sugar.
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 6:51 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Waiting for Pierce Inverarity at 6:51 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
Try some tulsi tea (sometimes called holy basil). Anecdotally it’s calming, and it’s been shown in studies to lower cortisol.
posted by hungrytiger at 6:52 PM on June 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by hungrytiger at 6:52 PM on June 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
L-theanine works for me.
posted by rpfields at 6:55 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by rpfields at 6:55 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
Caffeine stimulates your sympathetic nervous system. That's the fight/flight system.
Breathe in for 10 counts. Breathe out for 10 counts. Repeat for 10 minutes. This will stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is the rest & relax system.
posted by aniola at 6:56 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
Breathe in for 10 counts. Breathe out for 10 counts. Repeat for 10 minutes. This will stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is the rest & relax system.
posted by aniola at 6:56 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
BTW, if you eat white chocolate with a few leaves of kale, you may find you don't have the jitters afterward quite so bad.
posted by aniola at 6:58 PM on June 28, 2021
posted by aniola at 6:58 PM on June 28, 2021
Sharp cheese. Ice cream.
posted by thesockpuppet at 7:16 PM on June 28, 2021
posted by thesockpuppet at 7:16 PM on June 28, 2021
I wonder if the jitters are from sugar and not caffeine or theobromine. You could test with very dark chocolate (and low sugar) to see if you get the hit w/o the jit.
posted by 10ch at 7:40 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by 10ch at 7:40 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
Cayenne pepper pills might work for you. I find them to be really helpful. Plus, bonus anti-inflammatory properties!
posted by skye.dancer at 7:51 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by skye.dancer at 7:51 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
White chocolate doesnt have any cocoa solids, so no caffeine or theobromine. Your jitters are either psychosomatic or you're reacting to the sugar. You can try eating straight cocoa butter, which is white chocolate sans milk and sugar, or unsweetened chocolate. I drink this sometimes as coffee alternative:
1 oz of cacao paste (unsweetened chocolate)
6 to 8 oz water
Simmer chocolate and water together while whisking until melted, then blend in a heat safe blender. You can add spices like cinnamon, chili, and/or cardamom by simmering the whole spices in water for 10 minutes and straining before adding the chocolate. Milk and sugar to taste if you want, or just drink it straight like black coffee.
posted by ananci at 8:45 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
1 oz of cacao paste (unsweetened chocolate)
6 to 8 oz water
Simmer chocolate and water together while whisking until melted, then blend in a heat safe blender. You can add spices like cinnamon, chili, and/or cardamom by simmering the whole spices in water for 10 minutes and straining before adding the chocolate. Milk and sugar to taste if you want, or just drink it straight like black coffee.
posted by ananci at 8:45 PM on June 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
Physical activity. Nothing lengthy, try something like a bunch of standing jacks or standing crunches or body weight squats, even just jogging in place. Or if you have access to equipment, whatever you’re most comfortable doing. Just like, five or ten minutes of focused exertion and breathing. You say you’ve got some joint injuries so you probably have some physical therapy guidelines to stick to. Anyway, moving around will help channel that stress energy. Also it sends all kinds of useful signals around in your body for stuff like controlling your digestive processes, your heart rate, your blood pressure and so-on.
posted by Mizu at 9:13 PM on June 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 9:13 PM on June 28, 2021 [6 favorites]
I am extremely sensitive to caffeine, and cocoa butter doesn't give me jitters. I cook with it. Caffeine (and probably theobromine) is identifiably bitter.
Too much sugar definitely can give me the jitters, though. Sugar with missing fiber makes jitters. Even really sweet low-fiber fruits (such as fresh local dragonfruit or cherries) can give me trouble. That's why I suggested eating your white chocolate with a couple leafs of kale, which is high in fiber.
I watched an hour long video by a prof on how refined sugar was terrible for you, and my takeaway at the time was that if I eat e.g., a donut, eat a couple sticks of kale with it. It's not the takeaway the prof had in mind, but it helped me get by until I could finally quit refined sugar.
PS - One of the things you can do for jitters is stay hydrated. Fiber acts as a sponge in your gut, which helps keep you hydrated.
posted by aniola at 10:30 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
Too much sugar definitely can give me the jitters, though. Sugar with missing fiber makes jitters. Even really sweet low-fiber fruits (such as fresh local dragonfruit or cherries) can give me trouble. That's why I suggested eating your white chocolate with a couple leafs of kale, which is high in fiber.
I watched an hour long video by a prof on how refined sugar was terrible for you, and my takeaway at the time was that if I eat e.g., a donut, eat a couple sticks of kale with it. It's not the takeaway the prof had in mind, but it helped me get by until I could finally quit refined sugar.
PS - One of the things you can do for jitters is stay hydrated. Fiber acts as a sponge in your gut, which helps keep you hydrated.
posted by aniola at 10:30 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
Mizu really has the best answer here in my opinion. If you'd like to learn more and/or feel that you need more convincing, check out the book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.
posted by aniola at 10:33 PM on June 28, 2021
posted by aniola at 10:33 PM on June 28, 2021
Oh, also develop an upbeat playlist. Some go-to music that you've identified as helpful for elevating your mood.
posted by aniola at 10:35 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by aniola at 10:35 PM on June 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
This one doesn't work for everyone, but it definitely works on me: smile. Force it if you have to. Wait until your emotions catch up with your face.
posted by aniola at 10:36 PM on June 28, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by aniola at 10:36 PM on June 28, 2021 [3 favorites]
What aniola says. I'm just reaching the tail end of a musical artistic research project in which I was part of a fervently smiling (or looking sad or whatever) research team that explored techniques of emotional contagion (which is a real thing) during performance, and it does work, indeed all the way to making oneself happier by acting out happiness.
posted by Namlit at 1:39 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Namlit at 1:39 AM on June 29, 2021 [2 favorites]
Activities that reliably lift my mood:
-Going outside and breathing in some fresh air
-A shower (or almost as effective, washing my face)
-Going for a walk, performing a few push-ups, or just getting up to stand if I’ve been sitting down for a long period
-Listening to a comedy podcast like Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me
-Listening to an upbeat song
-Watching dog/cat/animal videos on YouTube
-Texting a joke or a weird news story to a friend. For example I recently shared an odd story with a friend about how astronauts don’t do laundry in space because water is precious and very heavy to ship to space. They often just wear their clothes for many days. (A bit gross in my mind.) NASA is currently working with detergent maker Tide to change this.
posted by mundo at 4:51 AM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
-Going outside and breathing in some fresh air
-A shower (or almost as effective, washing my face)
-Going for a walk, performing a few push-ups, or just getting up to stand if I’ve been sitting down for a long period
-Listening to a comedy podcast like Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me
-Listening to an upbeat song
-Watching dog/cat/animal videos on YouTube
-Texting a joke or a weird news story to a friend. For example I recently shared an odd story with a friend about how astronauts don’t do laundry in space because water is precious and very heavy to ship to space. They often just wear their clothes for many days. (A bit gross in my mind.) NASA is currently working with detergent maker Tide to change this.
posted by mundo at 4:51 AM on June 29, 2021 [1 favorite]
From https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22692392/ :
> In local chocolate, the mean theobromine and caffeine levels respectively were 0.72 mg/g and 0.04 mg/g in milk chocolate, and 0.85 mg/g and 0.06 mg/g in dark chocolate. Meanwhile, for imported chocolate, the mean theobromine and caffeine levels respectively were 1.05 mg/g and 0.12 mg/g in dark chocolate; 0.76 mg/g and 0.04 mg/g in milk chocolate; and 0.74 mg/g and 0.03 mg/g in white chocolate
So looks like white chocolate does indeed have caffeine (around a quarter as much as dark chocolate). I can't square this with all the other sources online saying it doesn't contain any...
posted by osmond_nash at 5:52 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
> In local chocolate, the mean theobromine and caffeine levels respectively were 0.72 mg/g and 0.04 mg/g in milk chocolate, and 0.85 mg/g and 0.06 mg/g in dark chocolate. Meanwhile, for imported chocolate, the mean theobromine and caffeine levels respectively were 1.05 mg/g and 0.12 mg/g in dark chocolate; 0.76 mg/g and 0.04 mg/g in milk chocolate; and 0.74 mg/g and 0.03 mg/g in white chocolate
So looks like white chocolate does indeed have caffeine (around a quarter as much as dark chocolate). I can't square this with all the other sources online saying it doesn't contain any...
posted by osmond_nash at 5:52 AM on June 29, 2021 [3 favorites]
Nothing beats a 2 mile walk in the fresh air for clearing the head and destressing.
posted by jacobean at 12:35 PM on June 29, 2021
posted by jacobean at 12:35 PM on June 29, 2021
Osmond_nash, you have 100% blown my mind. I work with cacao farmers. I have two friends who run bean to bar chocolate companies. How did I not know this, I am shook.
OP, I recend my previous comment. May I suggest barley tea, which has a smooth mouthfeel, as it is thicker than herb tea. I recommend combining with rhodiola, which will reduce your cortisol, and rose, which will lift your mood. Sweeten with honey, or licorice root, which is super sweet and does not, in fact, taste like licorice.
posted by ananci at 1:13 PM on July 1, 2021 [3 favorites]
OP, I recend my previous comment. May I suggest barley tea, which has a smooth mouthfeel, as it is thicker than herb tea. I recommend combining with rhodiola, which will reduce your cortisol, and rose, which will lift your mood. Sweeten with honey, or licorice root, which is super sweet and does not, in fact, taste like licorice.
posted by ananci at 1:13 PM on July 1, 2021 [3 favorites]
I have a couple of herbal tisane blends that are helping me hit the "I need a sweet" craving. One is persimmon leaf tea, which is just persimmon leaves. They taste not unlike a green tea and are not caffeinated to the best of my knowledge - I can drink this before bed and pass on out. The other thing is a blend I got that's a turmeric chai - no tea leaves, just some spices and turmeric. I make it with milk and sugar before bed, like a non-caffeinated hot chocolate kind of thing. It's not the same thing, but it's soothing and it hits that part of my brain in the right way.
One of the big things I'm working on is a more conscious awareness that because I have a massive sensitivity to chocolate I also have the weird paradoxical desire to eat as much of it as I possibly can, and that this is part of the symptoms of the intolerance. It doesn't necessarily help in the moments when I'm stressed out and really craving it, but it sure does help me stay away from the chocolate displays at the grocery store.
posted by bile and syntax at 8:47 AM on July 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
One of the big things I'm working on is a more conscious awareness that because I have a massive sensitivity to chocolate I also have the weird paradoxical desire to eat as much of it as I possibly can, and that this is part of the symptoms of the intolerance. It doesn't necessarily help in the moments when I'm stressed out and really craving it, but it sure does help me stay away from the chocolate displays at the grocery store.
posted by bile and syntax at 8:47 AM on July 6, 2021 [1 favorite]
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posted by batter_my_heart at 4:53 PM on June 28, 2021