17/3/2020 The benefits I’ve personally experienced are enumerable so let me rather stick to the facts and you can explore the benefits for yourself. There is a reason that Cacao has been used as a sacred plant medicine for thousands of years so let’s pull the curtain back slightly on Mama Cacao’s secrets and see what’s actually going on in those magical beans. Please note all information is based on raw organic ceremonial grade Cacao which is the only Cacao that will ever be used in my ceremonies.
Serotonin: This neurotransmitter is commonly known as the “feel-good” chemical and Cacao naturally aids the body in Serotonin production. Serotonin is required to combat stress and improve mood by promoting feelings of comfort, contentment, happiness, relaxation and well-being.
Phenethylamine (PEA): Better known as the “love chemical” for its association with the giddiness we experience when falling in love. When ingested PEA encourages the body to release endorphins. PEA signals the body to produce a sensation of focus and mental acuity all while elevating mood, speeding up metabolism and boosting memory.
Anandamide: In Sanskrit, ananda means “bliss” adding the “bliss chemical” into Cacao. This neurotransmitter found in Cacao will not leave you in a mind altered state but does produce a feeling of euphoria, interestingly Cacao and the human brain are the only two places that this chemical occurs naturally.
Theobromine: the name derives from the Greek words for god (theo) and food (brosi), attributing the name food of the gods to Cacao. The benefits of this chemical include increased blood flow and oxygenation to the brain in addition to long-term antioxidant properties.
Magnesium: Every cell in your body contains this mineral and requires it to function, unfortunately due to modern farming and food production we are generally as a society deficient in magnesium. Magnesium assists in calming nerves, increasing energy, relieving muscle pain, proper digestion and a whole long list more.
Antioxidants: Cacao contains 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries. It has an ORAC score of 98000 per 100g to blueberries 2400 - ORAC score measure the ability of antioxidants to absorb free radicals that come from pollution and toxins in our environment.
Iron: Highest plant based source of Iron known to man with a general 7.3mg per 100g.
Calcium: Cacao beats cows milk on the calcium scale at 160mg per 100g vs 125mg per 100g in milk.
Cacao and the Heart: Cacao’s positive impact on the heart can be found not only on an emotional or spiritual level, but also physically. Studies have shown that regularly consuming cacao is good for the physical health of your heart and can reduce your chances of suffering from heart disease. In particular, cacao can improve the functioning of blood vessels, reduce insulin resistance, reduce blood pressure and reduce both LDL and HDL cholesterol. These findings were confirmed in a study by The American Medical Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which found that cacao has statistically significant effects on the above risk factors for heart disease. The reasons for this are still being investigated, but it’s thought that the high concentrations of flavanols and antioxidants found in raw cacao are the cause. Spiritual and Emotional benefits: Ancient Indigenous cultures within Central and South America have understood for thousands of years that plant medicines come with the highest form of intelligence, an intelligence that when consumed can communicate with us directly. Mama Cacao works by assisting us in releasing old narratives and patterns that no longer serve us or which are operating beneath our awareness in the subconscious. By sitting in Ceremony with Cacao we may experience profound emotional release and healing, as Cacao is the foremost Spirit medicine for the heart, encouraging love, understanding and forgiveness to penetrate our being at ever deepening levels. Furthermore Mama Cacao connects us with unknown aspects of ourselves and re-establishes a profound awareness and respect for the gifts and magic of the natural world that we are a part of.