lactose

So, i do my best to avoid unhealthy things, for my general well being, and it just seems logical. I've quit artificial sweeteners, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Oils (it's even in laffy taffy), and coffee. Ive relapsed on the coffee, which is strange because its the one drug that goes against everything i try to do (be alert more) in that it causes progressive sleep deprivation resulting in being awake more but being groggy during that wakefulness, and it makes reprogramming my circadian rhythm to adapt to poly-phasic sleep impossible because I don't fall asleep for the nessesary naps. Finally it contributes negatively to my only heath concern: high blood pressure.

It is more addictive than nicotine because the social barriers for consumption are lower (i obviously don't smoke), but the withdrawal headaches and reduced focus in the morning seem overwhelmingly counter productive. My problem is that I'd rather be alert than alive.

So i've noticed that cocoa has similar effects on me as coffee (actually i only drink espresso) but i always assumed that there was caffeine in cocoa, until an article on Reddit surfaced about the true chemical composition of the "caffeine" in cocoa. It's not caffeine it's Theobromine which is structurally similar methylxanthine but has very different effects on the body: (quoted from above link)


Theobromine
gentle
mild effect
very slow onset
long lasting
50% in bloodstream after 6 to 10 hrs
increases feeling of well being
mild antidepressant
gentle, smooth, sensual stimulation
stimulates cardiovascular
system
stimulates muscular system
mild effect on central nervous system
almost no one is allergic
not addictive
no withdrawal symptoms
mild diuretic
stimulates the the kidneys


CAFFEINE
intense
strong effect
fast acting
rapid dissipation
50% in bloodstream after 2 to 5 hrs
increases alertness
increases emotional stress
jagged, nervous stimulation
stimulates cardiovascular system
stimulates respiratory system
strong effect on central nervous system
many people allergic
physically addictive
many proven withdrawal symptoms
extreme diuretic
requires large intake of fluids to balance the diuretic effect

So today I had no caffeine, i had a lot of chocolate though(I'm to embarrassed to say exactly how much) but lets say more than one bar, this is dark chocolate though, it has much less fat and suguar than milk chocolate. When i say dark i mean at least 85%, really the rest is just something to stick the cocoa powder together so that its practical to eat. I'll eat 99% as soon as i get some more from Lindt it only has like 100cal per bar as opposed to 240 in milk chocolate. The result, lets call it
Day1: a work day (workdays include 7miles of intense cycling, i basically push my pedals until my legs go numb, or i get to work)

I had some chocolate with my breakfast cereal, lunch and a snack(2 dove bars). The effects were intresting, on the one hand i suffered no headaches and i wasn't narcolepic at any point in the day, on the other i had no super clarity or rapid speech that i'm used to in the mornings. I feel no "withdrawl" or cravings but i am noticibly less alert. I'll try this out for as long as it takes to get a better idea of the effects, i may even invest in a blood pressure cuff.

Chochcolate is supposed to have lots of other benefits:
relaxing
fight diabetes
benefit the brain

and Coffee has these problems:
blood sugar

*i obviously have no major medical proof of shiz, but what to most people look like obvious connections the medical establishment calls "Not a definitive causal correlation" (translation: "I'm too scared to say anything i wasn't taught in school")