Raise Your Vibrations with Cacao
Written by Christina Hunt
When we talk about raising our vibrations, what do we really mean?
The concept of ‘high vibrations,’ is widely understood to be an energy that is strong, uplifted and centred. It comes when we feel a sense of connection, deep calm and peace, or a clear and focused mind. We naturally emit a frequency of love and harmony that affects the people around us.
When we are anxious, stressed or feeling depressed, it can be considered a heavy, dark or negative energy, emitting a, ‘low vibration,’ or a ‘low frequency,’ triggered by fear, anger or trauma, and all of the stress hormones that come with it.
With the ongoing pressures of a global pandemic, and all the unexpected stressors that have occurred during the lockdown, it’s perfectly normal to feel these low vibrations. Unfortunately, we can’t raise our vibrations by avoiding these feelings. Instead, we need to find ways to feel better, and release chemicals, such as dopamine and anandamide that help us feel good.
Rebekah Shaman’s work involves just this – She is an Urban Plant Medicine Shaman working with cacao as a remedy for stress and anxiety. Cacao is a powerful ‘superfood,’ and packed full of goodness that can help to reduce anxiety and depression, with scientific research now confirming that chocolate helps to relieve emotional stress.
PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH BENEFITS
Noticing a rise in stress and anxiety since the pandemic, Rebekah decided to carry out a National Health Study in June 2020, alongside her 21 Day Cacao Challenge – From Stress and Anxiety to Peace and Harmony.
She explains; “Cacao polyphenols in commercial chocolate have been shown in clinical trials, to reduce stress in both healthy and highly-stressed individuals, so we wanted to see if ceremonial grade cacao had the same - if not greater - impact on participants who drank it daily. Whilst the study was not a clinical or scientific trial, the data from real peoples’ experience clearly showed that cacao helped reduce stress, by inducing feelings of peace, calm and harmony.”
Ceremonial-grade Cacao is different from commercial chocolate, because it is pure and without any added milk, fats or sugars. It retains its healthy natural fats, and a host of powerful antioxidants that are lost in the heating and refining process that chocolate undergoes.
The physical benefits of cacao are found in the neurotransmitter modulating agents that act as natural antidepressants. Its high valeric acid content blocks the stress hormones, while triggering the release of dopamine, anandamide and the endorphin phenylethylamine, all of which are known as the ‘bliss molecules’ and make us feel positive, uplifted and happy.
Cacao also contains the essential amino acid tryptophan, which increases production of serotonin, an important brain chemical that helps us feel relaxed, peaceful and calm. These neurotransmitters also remain in the bloodstream longer after ingesting cacao, acting as a natural antidepressant, while the theobromine and caffeine content boosts energy levels and relieves fatigue.
Emotionally, cacao is a powerful Plant Medicine that helps us to heal emotional blockages and wounds around the heart, find forgiveness in ourselves and others, and shows us the way forward if we are stuck, or afraid of making necessary life changes. It also enables us to release conditionings, patterns of behaviour and addictions that are no longer serving us.
Historically, cacao has always been considered a very powerful aphrodisiac, exotic food, and most importantly, a medicine by the Mesoamerican and South American cultures, such as the Mayans, Aztecs and Spanish conquistadors. Its Greek name Theobroma Cacao literally means ‘Food of the Gods, Thea (god), Broma (food).’
Ritual Cacao trades directly with Amazonian tribes, from Peru and Ecuador, and sells 100% pure, traditionally harvested and organically-grown ceremonial-grade cacao straight from the bean, ground down into what is known as the ‘cacao liquor,’ and historically renowned for its many health benefits that support physical and psychological well-being.
Through her work, Rebekah Shaman hopes that cacao can gain recognition as a powerful plant medicine for mental health, and a perfect remedy for managing stress and anxiety during these chaotic and trying times.