If you have a regular cacao practice, you’ve probably already tapped into the euphoric, heart opening, sense enlivening, spiritually awakening, and overall connective experiences that cacao can impart.
Did you also know that the benefits of a regular cacao practice include your mental health? We’ve compiled information from scientific studies that demonstrates how cacao supports healthy brain functioning and boosts your mood.
Read on to discover how cacao supports your neurochemistry!
Your Brain on Cacao
Drinking cacao can increase neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to change and rewire itself. Working with cacao regularly can result in long term beneficial changes in brain function, primarily through the reinforcement of neural pathways that include more joy, love, presence, and connection.
There is ample evidence for the neuroplasticity of the human brain, and regularly ingesting cacao with all of its beneficial neuromodulators and correlated reuptake inhibitors could have long term impact on dominant neural pathways.
Cacao also activates one of the highest frequencies of brain waves called gamma rays. Gamma brainwaves are associated with mystical “downloads”, transcendental experiences, creativity, and peak performance.
Significantly, gamma brainwaves empower us to link information all across our brains. They are responsible for learning, memory, faster information processing, and higher cognitive functioning.
Mood Regulation with Cacao
Cacao contains multiple mood regulating and boosting compounds that contribute to our overall mental health and wellness.
Cacao contains the amino acid precursors of serotonin and dopamine, both which contribute to our mood. Tyrosine is an amino acid that the body converts into dopamine, which supports feelings of motivation and pleasure, and tryptophan is an amino acid that the body converts into serotonin, which helps with wellbeing and creates resistance to stress. Significantly, cacao also contains MAO inhibitors which inhibit re-uptake of dopamine and serotonin. This prolongs their effect on our brain chemistry to be more enduring.
In addition, cacao contains anandamide and phenylethylamine. Anandamide is commonly referred to as the bliss molecule, and is associated with the runner’s high effect. It is actually the first endocannabinoid to be discovered, and it is well known for moderating pain. Cacao also has N-linoleoyl ethanolamide, which is the reuptake inhibitor for anandamide. Phenylethylamine (PEA) helps with excitement, alertness, and attention. Interestingly, it also imparts the perception of time slowing down. This can be especially useful in ritual as well as an antidote to the urgency that pervades modern lifestyles.
Cacao is also abundant in magnesium, which most individuals are deficient in. Magnesium is supportive for healthy bones, tissue, muscle and nerve functioning. In addition, magnesium supports reduction of stress and regulation of mood.
Cacao & Antidepressants
It’s important to also note that cacao is contraindicated with SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors), which are often prescribed for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. 1 in 8 Americans were taking SSRI medication five years ago, and it is estimated that number may now be closer to 1 in 5.
People on SSRIs who have cacao may experience headaches and in some cases can develop Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin toxicity is the result of too much serotonin, and because cacao works on the same neural mechanisms as SSRIs, it is critically important to be aware of. Symptoms range from headaches, shivering and diarrhea to muscle rigidity, fever, seizures, and even death. Because cacao is more potent than your typical chocolate, both the mental health benefits and the risk of mixing with SSRI medications are increased.
For mild to moderate mental health conditions, cacao offers many of the same benefits of SSRIs without the side effects of pharmaceutical medication so it is a compelling alternative. Many people can reduce their SSRI intake and have small dosages of ceremonial cacao, safely.
The protocol for introducing cacao would be taking a homeopathic dose 0.2oz (5 grams) and observing the effect. Over time, you can increase the dose of cacao by adding 0.2oz (5 grams) at a time and tapering the SSRIs. Medical studies on this need to be done to establish a verifiable protocol - so this is not medical advice and we do not recommend doing this without seeking support from your prescribing physician.
In Knowledge & Gratitude
Knowing the science behind this magical plant really anchors the lived experience of all those who relate with cacao in a healing capacity. All of these above-named properties contribute to cacao’s ability to support the healthy functioning of our brain as well as the regulation of our mood. In this, we have yet another reason to be so grateful to this precious plant for the healing properties offered to us when we commune with cacao.
