When feeling low, it is common to seek comfort in foods like chocolate, known for its calming qualities. Indeed, chocolate contains tryptophan and amino acids promoting the production of serotonin, the happiness hormone. In addition to this, cocoa has anandamide, a euphoric molecule, and phenylethylamine, a natural antidepressant.
On the other hand, mushrooms have also been revered for their beneficial properties in various cultures. Medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi, have been studied for their abilities to boost the immune system, fight viruses, and potentially prevent cancer. In traditional Chinese medicine, certain mushrooms are considered superior herbs, capable of toning the body and mind. As for psychedelic mushrooms, although their consumption is often associated with recreational contexts, recent research suggests that they may also increase serotonin levels, although these studies are primarily conducted on animals.
Chocolate and mushrooms are ancestral foods with multiple virtues, appreciated for their benefits for morale and health, as well as for their role in the rituals and traditions of different cultures.
Sources and references:
SIFF Stephen, “R. Gordon Wasson and the Publicity Campaign to Introduce Magic Mushrooms to Mid-Century America”, Revue française d’études nationaux, 2018/3 (No. 156), p. 91-104. DOI: 10.3917/rfea.156.0091. URL: https://www.cairn.info/revue-francaise-d-etudes-americaines-2018-3-page-91.htm
Wachtel-Galor, S. (2011). Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or reishi). Herbal Medicine - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/
Madsen, M., Fisher, PM, Burmester, D., Dyssegaard, A., Stenbæk, DS, Kristiansen, S., Johansen, SS, Lehel, S., Linnet, K., Svarer, C., Erritzoe, D ., Ozenne, B., & Knudsen, GM (2019). Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels. Neuropsychopharmacology, 44(7), 1328-1334. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-019-0324-9
Nehlig, A. (2013). The neuroprotective effects of cocoa flavanol and its influence on cognitive performance. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 75(3), 716-727. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04378.x