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The short answer, @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member, is Yes! 🙂
Is there a connection between Parkinson's disease, chocolate cravings, and dopamine? Absolutely — and it's a fascinating one.
Parkinson's disease reduces the brain's ability to produce dopamine, a chemical that drives feelings of pleasure, motivation, and reward. When dopamine levels drop, the brain looks for shortcuts to Show Full Answer
I always loved certain sweets but I think it has tripled! Especially during down time I crave candy! Terrible but it makes me feel better 💐
The first thing I would do is check with your doctor or neurologist.
Some people with Parkinson’s say they crave chocolate or other sweets more than they used to. Research has found that some people with Parkinson’s do eat more sugar or chocolate, but no one knows for certain whether Parkinson’s itself causes the craving.
Sometimes the medication may play a part. Certain Parkinson’s medicines, especially dopamine agonists, can cause strong urges or compulsive behavior. This can include eating too much or becoming unusually focused on sweets. Never stop or change your medication on your own.
A little chocolate in moderation is usually fine for most people. Dark chocolate normally has more cocoa and less sugar than milk chocolate, but it still contains sugar, fat, and calories. Regularly consuming excessive amounts of added sugar can contribute to chronic inflammation, weight gain, blood-sugar problems, dental problems, and other health concerns.
If the craving is new, strong, or difficult to control, please check with your doctor or neurologist.
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