Cacao, Love & Kindness
Long ago, the ancient Aztecs would grind cacao seeds into a paste to make into a drink used for vitality and it’s alleged aphrodisiac effects. To this day, Shamans in South America hold ceremonies where they use hot cacao to access energies of love, connection and joy. I’ll leave the use of cacao as an aphrodisiac up to one’s imagination. But there is some research to suggest cacao could enhance cognitive function and mood (1).
Does this mean if you want better brain function and improved mood you just add cacao to your diet and … poof, miraculous and longstanding results!? 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Most likely, not. Years spent working in psychiatric facilities has enlightened me on how complex the brain is. Just as there is no one pharmaceutical that can improve all cases of poor cognition or mood, the same can be said about food. This is to say, we can’t expect cacao to affect all people in the exact same way. Also, when it comes to mental wellness, pharmaceuticals and food aren’t the only variables to consider. The thought patterns you cultivate and perpetuate can play a role, too. In yoga, we explore how these patterns affect the mind and body and how to improve them through mindfulness and meditation. Interestingly, research has found that some people experience improved mood after meditating for as little as 15 minutes a day (2,3).
If you are looking for a relatively simple way to potentially improve your mood and cognitive function, consider adding in hot cacao to your diet and / or a short daily meditation to your life. Set aside some peaceful time to yourself each day. Make a large hot cup of cacao. Once it’s made, allow it to slightly cool as you sit in a meditative posture and practice a short fifteen-minute mindfulness-based meditation. I suggest the love and kindness meditation. It’s a beautiful practice designed to help you develop more love and kindness towards yourself and others. After your meditation, take time to sip on your warm beverage as you contemplate love and kindness.
You can find the hot cacao recipe and meditation directions below. 👇🏼
Peaceful regards,
Jennifer
*Disclaimer: Content in this post is for general information and educational purposes. It is not intended to be used as personal medical or mental health care advice. Please consult with a licensed medical or behavioral health care professional for assistance with your personal needs.
Resources:
(1) Tuenter E, Foubert K, Pieters L. Mood Components in Cocoa and Chocolate: The Mood Pyramid. Planta Med. 2018 Aug;84(12-13):839-844. doi: 10.1055/a-0588-5534. Epub 2018 Mar 14. PMID: 29539647.
(2)Metta-based group meditation and individual cognitive behavioral therapy (MeCBT) for chronic depression: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. 2020 Jan 6;21(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s13063-019-3815-4. PMID: 31907002
(3) Brief meditation training can improve perceived stress and negative mood. Altern Ther Health Med.2007 Jan-Feb;13(1):38-44.PMID: 17283740