Sexual Chocolate

No, I'm not referring to the band from "Coming to America" or wrestler Mark Henry's very uncomfortably chosen stage name.

I recently read a fact on Twitter posted by @OMGFactsSex stating that "The same chemical that produces the highs of love and sexual attraction is found also in chocolate." I have heard this before, but I decided to do a little research. Researcher Michael R. Liebowitz first documented, in 1983, that chocolate contains the amine, Phenethylamine, which creates an aphrodisiac-like feeling. According to this research, it's no wonder that chocolate is used as a prelude to many acts of intimacy. Or consider women and men who turn to various forms of chocolate treats (e.g. ice cream, fudge, candy bars, etc.) post break-up. Typically seen as a comforting treat during a nasty bout with sadness, perhaps the comfort also comes into play as an attempt to hold onto the of love that feels as if it has been lost at the end of a relationship. 

According to Lewis' Dictionary of Toxicology, Phenethylamine is also a toxic substance in mistletoe. I find this very interesting and ironic considering the fact that a widely popular Christmas custom is for two people to share a kiss when meeting beneath a hanging piece of mistletoe. Poison and love? Funny, I can't seem to get Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name" out of my head.