As a tradition of South America you see the magic of cacao slowly spreading in the west! More and more people discover the power of 100% pure and raw cacao.
By: Corona Meerman
Retreats, Cacao ceremonies and Coaching
Effects of Cacao
You can experience the effects of cacao on all levels: energetically, emotionally, physically
and mentally. Each time the cacao is working differently, based on what you
need. Sometimes you need to release a tear, you could feel more
warmth or openness around your heart, make your body
move and shake things out, or you could receive a beautiful insight!
ENERGETIC LEVEL
Since cacao is known for her heart opening qualities, on an energetic
level there is a lot happening around the heart chakra. Participants feel
more love, happiness, gratitude, compassion, and more opening around the
heart. Participants report that they feel more connected with their own
centre and are feeling connected with the people around them. (It is
removing the layers we have built around our heart, show us more love and
connect us (back) to yourself and the others around you.)
EMOTIONAL LEVEL
Most people who feel the cacao on an emotional level will release emotions
by starting to cry. Sometimes they know the reason for their crying,
other times they don’t. Some people also like to release by making
sounds (toning, singing, laughing, screaming). The most common insight
participants share is that they let go of fear, let go of control or let go of
blocked emotions.
PHYSICAL LEVEL
For other people the cacao is working mostly on a physical level. They feel to make some movements: like slowly shaking the body, dancing or move around in the space.
MENTAL LEVEL
For other people the cacao is working mostly on the mental level. They get
insights or downloads about the direction they want to go in life and
the decisions they have to make, or they get creative ideas, inspirations or
realisations.
PEOPLE SHARE THAT THROUGH CACAO THEY:
Remember what is truly important for you
Feel more relaxed, soft and open
Can easily drop into the now, into pure presence
Align their body, mind & heart again
Are feeling high on live and love
Feel more connected with themselves and with the people around them and the world
WHY DOES IT WORK SO EFFECTIVELY?
100% pure, raw cacao is so much more powerful than a normal bar of chocolate.
Because the 100% pure, raw cacao is not heated above 70 degrees, all
amazing nutrients like antioxidants, minerals and magnesium are in there. It
is a real super food!
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CACAO
Lowering blood pressure
Because of the high level of antioxidants, the blood vessels open up and
the blood pressure is lowers.
Speeding up the blood circulation
Medical journals report that because of the high level of antioxidants, 30%
to 40% more blood is flowing to your brain. It also improves the blood flow to
the organs.
Relaxing of the muscles and tissues
Because of the high level of magnesium, the muscles and tissues relax.
Increase of oxygenation
Medical journals report a 80% increase of oxygenation to the brain, heart
and skin.
Balancing the blood sugar and cholesterol
Because of the iron and zinc, the blood sugar level and cholesterol are
more balanced.
NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND NEUROMODULATORS
Cacao contains the neurotransmitters serotonin, tryptophan and dopamine
which assist with feelings of wellbeing, resilience to stress and anxiety and
contribute to healthy motivation. It also contains the phenylethylamine
(PEA), which starts running through your brain when you fall in love and
helps create feelings of excitement and euphoria. It also assists us to pay
attention and stay alert. With healthy amounts of PEA we stay focused, time
slows down and we are not distracted by hunger or excess stimulation from
the ‘outside world’.
ANANDAMIDE
Cacao is the only plant source that contains anandamide, a cannabinoid
also known as ‘the bliss chemical’. Anandamide is a type of lipid (oil). The
word ‘ananda’ (from which this chemical was named) translates from the
Sanskrit language as ‘bliss’.
This naturally produced chemical (which is part
of the endorphin group) is most concentrated in the body after moderate
exercise – also referred to as the runners high. Anandamide results in
feelings of bliss and euphoria, but also plays a vital role in moderating pain
perception and the memory of pain, as well as assisting in regulating
appetite and mood.
Cacao contains both anandamide and anandamide re-
uptake inhibitors, which are molecules that slow the breakdown of the
anandamide. This allows the anandamide to remain longer in the brain and
with it the associated blissful feelings.
MAGNESIUM
One of the most utilised major minerals in the body is magnesium.
Magnesium assists in all metabolic processes. It helps relax all the muscles
in the body and is thereby essential for the effectiveness and vigor of the
pumping of the heart muscle, the management of stress and exercise
recovery, the motility of the bowel, regulating the muscles pre-menstruation
among many other functions. Magnesium is also utilised in almost all key
functions in the brain, including those involved in memory and
concentration. Cacao is the highest natural food source of magnesium.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Cacao is also one of the highest sources of antioxidants. The specific
antioxidants in cacao are Flavonoids, from the Phenolics group. Primarily,
this class of antioxidants are important as they both trap free radicals and
chelate redox-active metal properties. This results in a reduced risk of cells
in the body, such as lipids (fats, and fats often lining the artery walls)
undergoing oxidation (corruption). The flavonoids also support clearing of
the blood vessel walls, flexibility of the arteries and a thinning of the blood,
all contributing to a reduction in blood pressure and build-up of fatty
deposits (plaques) along the artery walls, as well as a reduced load on the
heart muscle.
THEOBROMINE
Lastly, there is a lot of theobromine in cacao, which is the stimulating part.
HOW TO IMPLEMENT IN DAILY LIFE?
Cacao as a replacer of coffee
A cup of cacao with your morning meditation, journaling and/or intention setting
Cacao ceremony in combination with ecstatic dance
Cacao ceremony in combination with heart opening yin yoga poses
If you like to learn how to hold cacao ceremonies yourself you can do so through: www.cacaoceremonycourse.com
Wish you lots of luck with opening up!
CORONA MEERMAN
Retreats, Cacao ceremonies and Coaching
Website: www.coronameerman.com
Instagram: @corona.meerman