Research has shown that allowing chocolate to melt in your mouth produces brain and heart rate activity that is similar to—and even stronger than—that produced with passionate kissing.
Chocolate Beats Kissing for Brain and Heart Buzz
If you've ever had to choose between a kiss and a piece of chocolate, science has weighed in: the chocolate wins. At least when it comes to your brain and heart rate.
In 2007, psychologist Dr. David Lewis of Mind Lab conducted a rather unusual study. He recruited 12 couples in their 20s, fitted them with heart monitors and EEG electrodes, and asked them to do two things: let dark chocolate melt slowly in their mouths, and kiss each other passionately. The goal? To measure which experience created a bigger physiological buzz.
Chocolate Wins by a Landslide
The results were surprising. When chocolate began melting on participants' tongues, their brain activity spiked across all regions—more intensely than during kissing, and the effect lasted significantly longer. Heart rates doubled, jumping from a resting 60 beats per minute to as high as 140.
While kissing did get hearts pounding, the chocolate effect was more dramatic and, crucially, lasted four times longer than even the most passionate smooch.
Why Chocolate Has This Effect
The study used dark chocolate with 60% cocoa, which contains several compounds that affect the brain:
- Phenylethylamine – the same chemical your brain releases when you fall in love
- Anandamide – a neurotransmitter sometimes called the "bliss molecule"
- Theobromine and caffeine – mild stimulants that increase alertness and heart rate
When these compounds hit your system while the chocolate melts slowly, they create a sustained neurological response that a quick kiss simply can't match.
Gender Equality in Chocolate Love
Interestingly, both men and women showed identical responses. While women are stereotypically thought to be bigger chocolate fans, when it came to measurable brain and heart activity, both sexes got the same intense buzz.
Of course, this doesn't mean you should replace your romantic partner with a chocolate bar. The study measured intensity and duration of physiological response, not emotional connection or overall satisfaction. Kissing brings oxytocin release, emotional bonding, and benefits chocolate can't replicate.
But next Valentine's Day, if someone hands you a box of dark chocolate instead of a kiss? They might just be a neuroscience nerd who's done their homework.