24 Jul 2018 --- An Johns Hopkins Medicine analysis of more than 1,000 people with and without psychiatric disorders has shown that nitrates – chemicals used to cure meats such as beef jerky, salami, hot dogs and other processed meat snacks – may contribute to mania, an abnormal mood state. Mania, a state of elevated mood, is characterized by hyperactivity, euphoria and insomnia and is generally seen in people with bipolar disorder.