phenylethylamine

British

/ ˌfiːnaɪlˌɛθɪlˌəˈmiːn, ˌfɛnɪl- /

noun

an amine that occurs naturally as a neurotransmitter in the brain, has properties similar to those of amphetamine, is an antidepressant, and is found in chocolate. Formula: C 8 H 11 N

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"It also contains phenylethylamine, which can act as a mood elevator."

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2023

"Cheese also contains an amino acid called phenylethylamine that can cause euphoric effects," notes KamTalebi, CEO of The Butcher's Tale restaurant in Minneapolis.

From Salon • Oct. 9, 2023

The condition arises when the hypothalamus prompts the pituitary gland to release a cocktail of dopamine, norepinephrine, phenylethylamine, oestrogen and testosterone.

From The Guardian • Nov. 19, 2012

And yes, it does contain some chemicals like phenylethylamine, which produce feelings of euphoria.

From New York Times • Feb. 10, 2010

It's a commingling of body and soul, reality and imagination, poetry and phenylethylamine.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023