The hash brownie, hilarious party favour and folk medicine of thousands, has attracted the attention of the white coats. On August 21, a trio of non-governmental pharmacologists at the Neurosciences Institute of San Diego announced that chocolate prolongs and intensifies the good feelings of THC, something cannabis consumers have known for decades.
The special effects resulting from the combination of marijuana and chocolate are due to the subtle interplay of anandamide, an organic chemical that by the grace of God is present in the natural human brain, and most curiously, within that of the humble sea urchin as well.
Israeli scientists first isolated the premier psychoactive delta-9 THC in 1969. By 1992, they had tracked down anandamide as a major component of the brain receptor sites that interacts with the THC metabolites that the brain persuades the hands to put into the body.
Anandamides appear to have an almost universal effect. Tiny amounts of purified anandamides were given to lucky laboratory animals, and a euphoric high was induced. Anandamide has now been shown to be present in chocolate as well.
"In principle, one could have a synergy between the two, but the effect of the hashish would still be overwhelming" says neurosciences researcher Daniele Pionet. Sounds like she had a bit too much fun at the staff picnic, but not to worry.
"It occurred to us that many cannabis users experience chocolate cravings. We were intrigued by the correlation, particularly because chocolate is rich in fats and anandamide is itself a fatty substance. We hypothesized that anandamides might be present in chocolate."
The team analyzed dark chocolate from three different confectionary chocolate manufacturers from three different countries. They found that the levels of anandamides varied greatly between samples, with the highest level being ten times greater than the lowest. The researchers declined to say which brand of chocolate melts in your mind to best effect, for fear that their discovery would lead to a run on the market.
The research team also discovered two additional cannabinoids that occur naturally in chocolate. In the lab, these new substances dramatically slowed the breakdown of anandamides. This suggests that these choco-cannabinoids don't create a new high so much as they tend to prolong the old one. Hence, the long smooth buzz after chowing down a good wack of homegrown baking.
Traditional Chinese medicine has known for certain that certain "magic plants" such as cannabis and ginseng will amplify the physical effects of other plant drugs. Thus their herbal prescriptions are usually a blend of herbs, unlike Western medicine which tends to use a single substance in concentrated form.
And so we see that modern pharmacology is starting to take notice of the untapped potential of cannabis as a legitimate medicine, even if they are only tickling it with a ten foot pole and dipping it in chocolate to appease the DEA.
If you would like to contribute to the world fund of knowledge and want to try this at home, start with good cannabis and the best chocolate. Shop for chunks of dark bitter baking chocolate or the darkest and most pungent cocoa powder you can find, avoiding cheap candy bars which are full of wax filler and sugar.
In order of potency, the best chocolates are: Baker's, Fry's, Cadbury's, Hershey's, Nestle, Rowntree. They will all differ in anandamide intensity because cocoa is sourced from many different parts of the globe.
Do you have a dynamite recipe for some weird and wonderfully edible chocolate and cannabis concoction that you'd like to share with the world? How do you feel about teaming up chocolate and marijuana? Share your sweetest insights and we'll publish the best ones in an upcoming edition of Cannabis Canada.
Simply write out the proportions of ingredients and explain how you make your special chocopot treat. Send it with your name and address to us before Christmas. Those who send us recipes for the tastiest treats will be rewarded as follows:
First Prize: Autographed copy of Treasury of Hashish, and CC hat or T shirt.
Second Prize: Photograph of George Bush kissing Mila Mulrouney, and CC hat or T shirt.
Third Prize: CC hat or T shirt.
This contest is open to CClist subscribers as well, although you should all be faithful subscribers to Cannabis Canada by now!
Send your best to