The Antidepressant Agents
Tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs)
Cocoa and chocolate contain compounds known as tetrahydroisoquinolines (TIQs), which contribute to their antidepressant properties. Prominent among these TIQs are salsolinol and salsoline, both of which are dopamine-derived alkaloids that also occur naturally in the human brain. These substances are part of a broader class of compounds that interact with dopaminergic pathways, playing a pivotal role in mood regulation.