Theobroma Cacao
(Food of the Gods)
“There is no metaphysics on earth like chocolate.”
~ Fernando Pessoa
Image via Unsplash
What is Cacao?
Cacao is ancient Mayan chocolate, native to the tropical regions of Central and South America.
It is considered a “superfood” for its nutritional benefits, while offering a sustainable boost of energy.
Theobromine potentiates the release of dopamine, the ‘pleasure’ hormone. This, alongside phenethylamine, which is known to help relieve stress and depression and which is released in the body during emotional euphoria, creates heightened sensation and empathy.
Cacao is a beautiful tool for dropping deep into self-study, self-expression. self-reflection and our heart’s deepest truths.
What Makes It “Ceremonial”?
Ceremonial grade cacao has no preservatives, no additives, and hasn’t been stripped of the natural components that make it a superfood. When drunk with intention and in a sacred setting, it enhances focus and concentration while facilitating a heart-opening connection with creativity, productivity.
Pure ceremonial grade cacao contains many beneficial neurotransmitters that are already present in our brain, so it can help to rewire and create new neural pathways that transform and uplift our daily experience, bringing in more joy, connection, space, and love.
𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻 - a mood stabilizer. It’s the chemical that helps with sleeping, eating, and digesting, beneficial to help reduce depression, regulate anxiety, heal wounds + maintain bone health
𝗗𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 - the pleasure messenger. Also aids our ability to think and plan. It helps us to strive, focus, and find things interesting. It assists with learning, motivation, heart rate and blood vessel function, kidney function.
𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 - the "bliss" molecule. The name comes from Ananda, the Sanskrit word for “happiness, pleasure, joy, and delight.” It's a neurotransmitter that binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body, stimulating a sense of happiness and mental wellness.
𝗣𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘆𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗵𝘆𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 - Helps with excitement, alertness, and attention. Gives the perception of slowing down time.
𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 - the joy molecule
My First Cacao Ceremony
My first ceremonial cacao ceremony was in 2016 at the opening of Bali Spirit Fest with DJ RIAO on the decks and hundreds of us sweating, dancing + praying. I was 𝒽𝒾𝑔𝒽 and my heart was bursting open. I felt like I was on MDMA. I could see the pure love vibration in the smiles of everyone around me. Joy, bliss, ecstasy. I did not know a single person there, but I left with a soul family. That experience has stayed with me since then, so deeply imprinted in my heart and my mind’s eye, and has been one of the monumental inspirations for my journey of holding space through medicine + music. For us to dance. For us to be reminded of LOVE. For us to pray. For us to connect and to see and honor each other’s souls.
I offer cacao ceremonies in a few different styles, exploring a range of ways to activate the medicine through meditation, movement, breathwork, writing, chanting or energy work.
Interested in curating a cacao ceremony for yourself or a group? I offer one on one ceremonies as well as small-group gatherings.
Reach out to schedule a ceremony for yourself or a group!
Important Cacao and Health Information
Taste: Cacao is bitter!
100% pure cacao is bitter. As with any bitter, too much can make you nauseous. Most drink less than 2 to 3 ounces (57 to 85 grams) of cacao a day. Over time, as your body attunes to the cacao, you may find that you need less cacao to feel the full effect. Less can be more. Pay attention to what your body is telling you.
Antidepressants:
Depending on dose, SSRI antidepressants and anti-psychotics are not compatible with the MAOI's (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) in cacao. Low to average doses should be ok, people on higher doses should drink less cacao. Check with your doctor.
Heart Rate:
Our cacao will raise your heart rate slightly. If an increase in your heart rate could cause a medical problem, drink less. Check with your doctor.
Blood Pressure:
Many folks with low blood pressure report that low caffeine cacao stabilizes their heart and helps them. Check with your doctor.
Other substances:
Cacao can increase blood flow to the brain by 30-40%… so any other substances in your blood will be amplified.
What’s the caffeine level?
People with a caffeine intolerance often are curious if they can use cacao. The caffeine content of the cacao varies widely amongst cacao varieties and cacao makers. The cacao I use has a very low, to no-caffeine feel.
Pregnant and nursing women:
Most babies, in or out of the womb, do really well with mom consuming our cacao, and we know of many awesome 'cacao children'. About 1oz (28gm) in the first 2 trimesters, about 2/3oz (20gm) dose in the last trimester. There are a few fetuses and breast-fed babies that do not like cacao... it is not a problem, but they will let you know so start easy and find what is right for you. We recommend 2/3oz (20gm) while breast feeding until it is clear how the infant reacts.
Children:
Use less, according to the child’s body weight. It depends on the child. They will let you know. Children who have had an appropriate amount of cacao are more focused.
Pets:
Real cacao contains compounds that can kill dogs, cats, parrots, and horses. Don’t let them eat it!