MMM… Chocolate.
Most of us from an early age have harbored intense feelings for chocolate. It’s sweet, smooth, and it creates a rewarding feeling – like you’ve done something good for yourself. We all know there is nothing more delightful than eating an entire king-sized Hershey bar, but did you know that chocolate has some interesting traits that make it a good pairing for cannabis?
Chocolate contains a very special compound called anandamide, derived from the Sanskrit word for “bliss.” Your brain naturally makes anandamide, as well. It acts on your endocannabinoid system, the system which influences all sorts of functions like sleep, stress, focus, mood, etc. Imagine your endocannabinoid system as a series of locks–certain things fit in those locks and create effects that can be felt throughout your body. The THC in cannabis is one of those things, and the effect makes you feel high. Anandamide has similar positive effects in your brain. This is why chocolate can be such an addictive food to eat; it’s working with your endocannabinoid system to make you feel relaxed and satisfied.
Chocolate also contains two additional compounds that stop the breakdown of anandamide in the stomach by preventing the production of specific enzymes that would normally destroy it. When cannabis and chocolate are consumed together, it is believed that these enzyme-blockers could protect THC and CBD on their journey through the gut. This means even more THC and CBD are about to make it to your liver and out into your bloodstream. What better reason is there than to try making your own pot brownies!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted weed butter, melted and HOT – read about how to infuse here (this recipe focuses on coconut oil but you can easily replace this with butter)
1 tablespoon cooking oil, (olive oil or coconut oil are fine)
1 1/8 cup superfine sugar, (caster sugar or white granulated sugar)*
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose (or plain) flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking oil spray. Line with parchment paper (or baking paper); set aside. Pro tip: cut the corners of your parchment paper at an angle so it can fold neatly around the corners instead of bunching up.
Combine hot melted infused butter (or coconut oil), oil and sugar together in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk well for about a minute. Add the eggs and vanilla; beat until lighter in colour (another minute).
Sift in flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until JUST combined (do NOT over beat as doing so will affect the texture of your brownies- making them chewier and cake-like).
Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing the top out evenly. (OPTIONAL: Top with chocolate chunks or chocolate chips.)
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the center of the brownies in the pan no longer jiggles and is just set to the touch (the brownies will keep baking in the hot pan out of the oven for a few minutes). If testing with a toothpick, the toothpick should come out dirty for fudge-textured brownies.
Remove and cool to room temperature before slicing into 16 brownies.
Need a few more reasons to justify the treat?
If you’re even a tad bit nerdy like us, maybe you’re interested in knowing that chocolate has even more benefits! It’s like when Mother Nature created chocolate, she jammed it full of compounds that help us to feel amazing:
• It contains theobromine, an antioxidant that elevates the mood, promotes focus, and reduces inflammation.
• It contains serotonin, phenylethylamine, and dopamine. These compounds help us to feel happy, alert, and content.
• It’s nice and fatty! Fat helps protect cannabinoids while they are traveling through the digestive tract, as well!
• Chocolate and cannabis taste good together. It’s a flavor combination that was meant to be!
So, really, chocolate edibles have a lot going for them. Not only do they contain enzyme-blockers that are going to potentially help get you higher, but they also contain a whole gang of naturally-occurring super-compounds that make you feel good! The next time you find yourself struggling to pick out an edible, just go chocolate! You may find yourself a bit higher and a little more satisfied than usual!