đż Unveiling Ceremonial Cacao: Truths and Myths
Many people ask me:
âIs ceremonial cacao some kind of psychedelic?â
So I wanted to share what Iâve learned â the history, the science, and how it works in ceremony â to help demystify what cacao really is and what you can expect.
Origins & Tradition
Ceremonial cacao has been used for thousands of years by Indigenous cultures of Central and South America (Maya, Aztec, Olmec, etc.), not simply as food or pleasure, but as a sacred plant medicine.
It was used in rituals of connection, gratitude, heartâopening, fertility, community, nourishment, and spiritual communion.
What Ceremonial Cacao
Is
Here are key things that distinguish ceremonial cacao from regular drinking chocolate:
Purity: It is often 100% cacao, with minimal processing, no added sugars, dairy or fillers. The fat (cacao butter) stays intact, which sustains its richness.
Intention & Ceremony: Itâs not just about the taste. It involves an intentional space, ritual, often group gathering, sound, meditation, sharing and heartâopening practices. Ritual matters.
Physical + Emotional Effects: Because of natural compounds in cacao, people often report warmth in the heart/chest, gentle stimulation, enhanced mood, emotional openness, clarity, and a soft sense of elevation or reverence. It supports meditation, presence, connection.
What It
Is Not
: Clearing Up the Psychedelic Myth
Because cacao is powerful, people sometimes confuse its effects with psychedelics. To clarify:
Psychedelics (e.g. psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca) often induce altered sensory perception, hallucinations, changes in how one perceives time/space, strong visionary experiences.
Ceremonial cacao does not cause hallucinations, does not distort vision or sound significantly, and does not induce a full altered state of consciousness.
Its âeffectsâ are milder and more correlated with mood, increased circulation, gentle stimulation (largely from theobromine), emotional release, heartâopening, clarity. Not a psychedelic âtrip.â
The Science: Whatâs Inside Cacao
Here are some of the biochemical players that explain how cacao affects body, mind, and heart:
Compound What it does
Theobromine A gentle stimulant; improves circulation; uplifts energy
without the harsh crash of caffeine.
Anandamide Called the âbliss moleculeâ; can support feelings of well-being
and reduce stress.
Phenylethylamine (PEA) Associated with mood elevation and emotional connection.
Flavonoids & Antioxidants For heart health, improved blood flow, and protection against
oxidative stress.
Safety, Contraindications & Responsible Use
Because cacao is a plant medicine, there are things to be mindful of:
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who have heart conditions, low/high blood pressure, or are on certain medications (especially MAO inhibitors or drugs that affect serotonin) should check with a health professional.
Cacao is mildly stimulating. It contains small amounts of caffeine, though usually less than coffee. Theobromine can also increase alertness.
Always hydrate well before and after; cacao can have mild diuretic effect.
Use ceremonial grade, ethically sourced cacao so that youâre getting pure product without additives or adulterants.
Realistic Expectations: What You Might Feel
Each personâs experience is individual, but here are common sensations people report:
Warmth in chest, throat, sometimes body
A softening of the heart (feeling more open)
Subtle energy increase, alertness, clarity
Emotional release: tears, laughter, letting go
A deeper sense of presence, connection to self and others
Sometimes more peace, more groundedness
These experiences are often more felt emotionally than seen physically. They unfold gradually, especially in ceremonial space with ritual, sound, intention.
Why Itâs Valuable in Wellness & Community
Ceremonial cacao supports holistic wellbeing â emotional, mental, spiritual, and sometimes physical (circulation, antioxidants, magnesium etc.)
It offers a safe container for emotional processing, reducing stress, connecting to inner wisdom
Helps with grounding, connection, creativity, and relational openness
When people gather in circle, it fosters community, shared experience, witnessing, and holding, which enhances healing
FAQs (for people curious)
Q: Will I see visions or hallucinate?
A: No. That is not how ceremonial cacao works. You might feel feelings more intensely or sense shifts in mood, clarity or connection â but not hallucinations or sensory distortions.
Q: Can I drive after having cacao?
A: Yes. Typically ceremonial cacao does not impair normal functioning. Effects are gentle. If you feel more stimulated, wait a few minutes and drink water first, but you should be safe.
Q: Is it safe with medications?
A: If youâre on antidepressants (especially SSRIs) or MAO inhibitors, or have heart or blood pressure issues, always check with your healthcare provider first. Also disclose to the ceremony holder in your intake.
Q: How is ceremonial cacao different from hot chocolate?
A: Hot chocolate is often high in sugar, milk, heavily processed, lower cacao content. Ceremonial cacao is pure, highâcacao percentage, minimal processing, usually in paste or very raw form. The ritual, intention, sacred container also make a difference.
Summary: What Cacao
Truly Offers
Ceremonial cacao isnât about âtrippingâ or psychedelics. Itâs about opening the heart, sitting in your emotions, softening, community, and clarity. It supports healing, presence, ritual, and connection.
If you come to a cacao ceremony, youâll be held. Youâll drink something beautiful and nourishing. Youâll be invited to slow down, listen, feel, and maybe be surprised at how much love has always been there.
⨠Come join me:
âResonance & Renewalâ - Spring Equinox Cacao & Sound Ceremony
September 27th 2025 Time: 3pm - 6.25pm
âSeasons of Her Soulâ â Cacao & Sound Ceremony
Oct 12 ⢠Nov 16 ⢠Dec 14 Time: 5pm-7pm
đAdelaide based events
Click on the link for more details and to secure your spot!
đ www.themotherstemple.org/events
