Cacao: your ultimate guide
Discover the truth of Cacao! Does it get you “high”? How it can give you a healthy heart, mind (and so much more)? And what are the secrets of its sacred symbolism?
You’ll soon discover that this little bean packs a punch far more powerful than a pumpkin spiced latte, and is certainly no ordinary hot chocolate.
A Brief History of the Cacao Ceremony
The cacao ceremony is also a powerful traditional practice that is both legal and subtle, quite unlike other plant medicines from South America such as ayahuasca!
Drinking cacao in a ceremonial context is not merely a western invention of wealthy hipsters, it has been a practice for as long as 3,000 years, dating back to the ancient Olmec civilisation in Mesoamerica.
According to the more recent Mayan tradition, the term for cacao is literally translated as “heart blood” and theobromine (the psychoactive ingredient) translates as “food of the Gods”.
Consider that psilocybin mushrooms were considered by the Aztecs to be “flesh of the Gods” and it is clear that cacao had a more important role than us chocolate-loving westerners might assume.
Unlike the other psychedelic or entheogenic plants in south America, cacao was widely available as currency, but primarily reserved for consumption by the elite.
Using cacao in or out of a ceremonial context became popular as a medicine for a number of physical ailments, which we’ll cover a bit later after the burning question…
Does cacao create a trip? Am I going to get high?
The short answer is “no” as you will not have an experience similar to the psychoactive deep dives that come from shaman work and psychedelics. But, it can create a subtle sensation that is more akin to a microdose of certain psychedelics.
This is because the theobromine found in cacao is a psychoactive alkaloid that is different than caffeine, but in a similar family. The theobromine can be mildly stimulating, which creates a noticeable sensation especially if the ceremony is done after fasting.
According to Mayan texts, doing a sacred cacao ceremony is “heart opening”, and although it is meant as a non-scientific concept, modern research shows theobromine is a vasodilator (blood vessel widener) and stimulant for the heart specifically.
It is a great example of indigenous wisdom having scientific backing!
Cacao… it’s just hot chocolate right?
Wrong! Yes, they both contain the precious bean, but the way they are processed is very different. When it comes to the kind of cacao used in ceremonies, each bean is fermented, sun-dried, lightly roasted and peeled by hand. It is milled in small batches, packaged fresh and enjoyed around the world.
Cacao is pure bean and minimally processed at low temperatures, which allows it to retain its many nutritional benefits.
Hot chocolate on the other hand is made from a highly processed, heat treated cocoa powder which retains little to none of the nutritional benefits; and is combined with sugars and milk.
Talking of which…
Benefits of Cacao
Cacao is now used for plant medicine rituals and ceremonies all over the world, some of the many benefits of this plant are
- Skin loving antioxidants – 4x the power of goji berrries, 80x the power of green tea, and 15x more than blueberries!
- Anti aging – slowing of cognitive decline – protects cells from premature destruction, and the flavonoids reduce risk of dementia.
- Healthy heart – enhances blood flow needed for skin, eyes liver immune and digestive system
- Reduces tiredness & fatigue – theobromine and caffeine provide mild stimulating effects, while tryptophan, and magnesium enhance energy metabolism.
- Healthy gut – the high content of fibre stimulate digestion absorption gut health and bowel regulation.
- Muscle support – contains natural protein (great for vegans) and enhancing muscle support and growth.
- Stress relief – a good source of magnesium & potassium essential for psychological function and nervous system support
- Feel good facts – a powerful blend of natural compounds serotonin, endorphins & phenylethylamine – a compound humans have been shown to produce when in love! Plus tryptophan and anandamide enhance mood and create feelings of euphoria.
- Blood pressure – studies have shown cacao can naturally significantly reduce blood pressure.
When does cacao become sacred?
The word ‘cacao’ stems from the Olmec and Mayan word kakaw. The official Latin name for the cacao tree is Theobroma Cacao, meaning ‘food of the gods’. Theo = god and broma = food. Named after how natives referred to cacao in their own languages. Theobromine is the primary alkaloid found in cacao and is a blood vessel widener sometimes used as an aid in urination hence the cleansing quality of this plant and also as a heart stimulant hence the warm and uplifting “hum”
Cacao has a long history in native cultures:
- As a sacred drink used to connect with the divine
- Dried cacao beans were used as money in the Aztec empire
- Shared amongst tribes
- Used for ceremonies, rituals and offerings
What makes it ceremonial is the grade of the bean evaluated by the quality and source of the bean, also the process of making it and the intentions that have gone in to making it.
Fancy trying the wonders of Cacao?
Cacao has been a sacred drink for thousands of years, is loved everywhere in the world and has an interesting history that’s worth keeping alive. If you’d like to experience a cacao ceremony, get in touch with me to find out when the next cacao-enriched event or workshop is taking place!
