why you need ceremonial cacao....
Drinking ceremonial cacao for the last few years has been transformational, helped me reduce caffeine and alcohol, given me greater clarity, connection and calm.
Having discovered that cacao has more antioxidants than any other superfood on the planet, and has a range of psychoactive properties that can transform our mood and state of being, you wonder why more of us aren’t guzzling the stuff on a daily basis. I mean the real stuff 100% ‘raw’ cacao – not the sugar-laden laden highly processed confectionery that many of us get hooked on.
I got addicted to chocolate as a child… maybe you too?
My dear dad at the time would smuggle Yorkie Bars into the house (when we lived at the Bingham when I was a child), and I hid them in my Big Yellow Tea Pot. Chocolate was a naughty treat, but now that cacao has become my staple, a pick-me-up, a comforter, and connector – when my mind and heart a swirl and I feel afraid and disconnected. The plant, described as ‘mama cacao’, has a spirit and energy that truly can lift your spirits, and open your heart, which is now scientifically proven.
Cacao has gone on a long journey it was used as currency and pre-dates even the Mayans, with history of it being used by the Toltecs etc, it was seen as sacred and ‘food of the Gods’ for thousands of years.
But ontrary to modern beliefs ‘cacao ceremonies’ are not ancient. It was traded with and imbibed but the ‘cacao ceremony’ is believed to be a term coined by the ‘Chocolate Shaman’ Keith Wilson who discovered cacao in the 1980s in Guatamala, as people would congregate on his porch as he made the magic drink, which he made into a ceremony and began to introduce deep enquiry practices, meditation and sharing that made it a ‘ceremony’.
As a superfood (a nutrient-dense food) according to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, “raw cacao , the seed or nut of a fruit of an Amazonian tree is the highest antioxidant food on the planet, the number one source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, manganese, and chromium.”
It has 14 times more antioxidants than 40 blueberries equivalent in weight to one cup of a ‘ceremonial’ does of cacao – 42g.
Now for the really juicy bit – cacao contains neurochemicals known as neurotransmitters which act like a messenger, telling our bodies what to do, influencing our mood and affecting our energy alertness and concentration. Cacao also contains compounds with psychoactive properties such as a Theobromine and caffeine which are known as methyxanthines
acting on adenosine receptors in the central nervous system which enhance arousal, mood and concentration levels.
PEA is most often referred to as the love chemical as it facilitates brain chemistry often associated with feelings we have when when we are in love. PEA is it elevated when we are in flow state, whereby we are so captivated by a task that we loose track of time. PA is the molecule that supports a class of neurotransmitters that include includes dopamine, epeniphrine, neoprene. Most notably when level of PEA are elevated the brain synaptic vessels will take in PA instead of dopamine which increases dopamine levels which correlates with increased alertness attentiveness and elevated mood. WebMD states that PAA has been used for improving athletic performance depression weight loss and improves mood and attention it should be noted that people suffering from ADHD or PTSD and some types of depression and addiction often found to have a lower levels of PEA.
Anandamide: The Bliss Molecule
Anandamide is a natural chemical produced by the human brain that behaves like the cannabinoids found in cannabis. It binds to cannabinoid receptors, which are found throughout the body — especially in the brain.
When THC, the main compound in cannabis, attaches to these receptors, it creates feelings of euphoria or being “high.” The name anandamide comes from the Sanskrit word ānanda, meaning bliss — which is why it’s often called the bliss molecule.
Studies show that anandamide levels increase after moderate exercise, which may explain the “runner’s high” — that happy, calm feeling that follows physical activity. This experience is also linked to the release of endorphins, our body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and phenylethylamine (PEA). These neurotransmitters help relieve pain, reduce stress, boost mood, and promote overall well-being.
Anandamide in Cacao
In 1996, scientists discovered that cacao — the pure form of chocolate — naturally contains anandamide. It’s especially present in fermented cacao, which may explain the gentle euphoria and sense of well-being people often feel when consuming 100% pure ceremonial-grade cacao.
Cacao also contains compounds that slow down the body’s ability to break down anandamide. This means it not only adds anandamide to the brain but also helps it stay there longer — extending the blissful, heart-opening “cacao high.”
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) and the Cacao Effect
Alongside anandamide, cacao contains other natural compounds that interact beneficially with the brain — including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme that breaks down key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Cacao naturally contains plant-based forms of these inhibitors, including MAO-A, MAO-B, and beta-carbolines.
By gently inhibiting MAO, cacao allows serotonin and dopamine to remain active in the brain for longer. Serotonin helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep, contributing to feelings of peace and happiness. Dopamine supports motivation, learning, movement, and emotional balance — helping us recognize joy and move toward it.
When serotonin or dopamine levels are low, feelings of depression or disconnection can arise. By supporting these neurotransmitters, cacao naturally encourages emotional balance, relaxation, and a deeper sense of joy and connection — both within ourselves and with others.
So all compelling to ditch your daily cup of Joe in favour for this elixir, food of the gods, superfood - magic in a cup?
Enjoy at Bingham Riverhouse, and in our Urban Twilight Retreats Journey to Joy, which always includes a Cacao Ceremony.
Thank you to Keith's Cacao, The Chocolate Shaman's training for providing much of the information for this blog post.
