Ever notice that after you eat chocolate, you feel sated and relaxed? If you're with your partner, you feel more loving and romantic toward them?

It's not just love, it's chemistry — more over your body's reaction to the chemicals in chocolate. Don't believe me? Public health advocate Dr. Marcus Wells writes, in a recent article sent my way:

Studies now are looking at how the same brain centers called the Thalmus,  hypothalmus, Amygdala and substantia nigra are areas where potent neuro-chemicals intensify libido, romance and cuddling. It is these brain centers that trigger sexuality, selecting our sexual partner, cuddling, even sexual addiction.

Dopamine a neurochemical has been studied and is believed to be the substance that creates romantic feelings between couples who are developing  sexual energy , giddiness or  a state of euphoric high one feels when they begin to "fall in love" and are very attracted one another. But, what makes a couple stay together through the thick and thin of it? In women the hormone oxytocin plays a strong role after sexual activity has played out. Oxytocin is the hormone of cuddling. The lower this hormone exists in both men and in women the more distance you might see between them. The hormone Vasopressin which is biochemically equivalent in men plays this same role more so. When you see break ups between couples happen, you might want to check the oxytocin-vasopressin levels because it might be low. Low intimacy and post-coital hugging, kissing and cuddling means that this neuro-chemical may be low for a couple.

What might drive ones libido overboard is a brain chemical called dopamine and another biochemical we will come back to later called Phenylethylamine (PEA). We see these chemicals rise in the body with sexual climax.

He says this about chocolate:

Chocolate is not only a natural aphrodisiac , but the latest scientific research is showing that it contains multiple chemicals that play a role in enhancing one's ( or one's partner's) libido. theobromine is a stimulant that is known to enhance tactile stimulation including sexuality. "Just one touch" with chocolate could send your mate spinning!  Tryptophan is a major ingredient of chocolate and is a major precursor of Serotonin, the chemical that raises the "crave" for sexuality and climax!

Chocolate also has endorphins. Remember them? The Flavonoids in chocolate reduces inhibition to pleasure and increases pain threshold.  We always said there was a fine line between pain and pleasure, this may be why. Endorphins also act as an antioxidant. Other chemicals playing a role with this are Anadamide and methylxanthine to help relax smooth muscles. But, do you remember that other sexual booster from the brain, PEA we mentioned earlier with serotonin. It raises pheromone attraction through your secretions.

So, when Valentine's Day (or any day when you want to eat chocolate) rolls around, make sure you share so you can get some good loving or make that loving feeling in your relationship return.

**Dr. Marcus Wells has spent over 20 years working as a public health advocate and metabolic specialist and has spent several years working at the NIH in Washington DC as well as the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.  He has done research and has read the most recent studies on hormones and internal chemical reactions which supports the theory that there are ways to help improve your love life naturally and without the use of drugs.