Shamanic Drum Journey & Cacao Ceremony

About Shamanic Drum Journey & Cacao Ceremony

Read carefully, this information is important: CACAO USE Is cacao safe for me? Who shouldn’t drink cacao? For most people, cacao is very safe! However, there are some specific contraindications so please check below. Health factors to be particularly aware of are: *If you are on antidepressants, SSRIs or other medication, have a heart condition or are pregnant: Be aware that the theobromine in cacao is a vasodilator: it increases the heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Cacao in the concentrated doses we consume in ceremony therefore increases blood flow to the brain & heart by at least 40% so you may be better off with a smaller dose. I usually offer a half-dose to people on SSRIs. Please see below for more info. *If you are taking 5-htp (5-Hydroxytryptophan) it's advisable to have a smaller dose of cacao. *If you are taking St John's Wort, please refrain from taking it for a few days before & after the cacao circle. *If you are on MAOI antidepressants, cacao (& all forms of chocolate) is contraindicated because it contains tyramine. *If you take antipsychotic medication, (for any reason), consuming ceremonial cacao in this way is also contraindicated. (And if being treated for psychosis, I also don't feel it's wise to engage in practices which involve exploring how to tune into and hear an inner voice, the voice of a plant spirit or other guide.) *If you have low blood pressure, be aware that although cacao is a stimulant, it lowers blood pressure. Depending on your condition, a smaller dose might be appropriate - in some cases it may be contraindicated eg if you have had epileptic fits triggered by low blood pressure (bear in mind that the whole ritualised experience of lying down & being guided on a nidra & deeply introspective journey is also likely to lower your blood pressure even without the cacao!). Please contact me if you want to ask more. *Some people are allergic or sensitive to theobromine - it can trigger headaches or migraines in some people. (You will probably already know if this is you.) In some cases, a smaller dose will be fine depending on how sensitive you are. *If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, be aware that theobromine is a stimulant & increases heart rate & lowers blood pressure. Some western people advise avoiding it completely during pregnancy, others suggest a smaller dose. However, I think it's also worth noting that for thousands of years, indigenous Mayan women have consumed cacao safely throughout pregnancy and even during childbirth (in the final stages of labour, to assist with the final big push!), as well as afterwards - in their culture, midwives know that cacao is such a nourishing, energising food that it gives women great strength. So if you are pregnant or breastfeeding this does not rule cacao out for you - I simply present this information so that you can make your own informed decision, and if you are new to cacao especially, I would certainly serve you a smaller dose so you can see how you respond. Cacao contains roughly a tenth of the caffeine found in coffee so depending on your stance on coffee during pregnancy you may be ok with the smaller dose of cacao. Similarly, some people prefer to avoid all sources of theobromine & caffeine while they are breastfeeding. *If you are epileptic: high consumption of cacao stimulates the brain and there is also scientific research to suggest a possible connection between caffeine & cacao consumption and increased seizures. Scientific research / evidence is still inconclusive, but I would err on the side of caution if you have a history of epilepsy. It is also important for the sake of other participants that we create a safe environment where there is little risk of disruption. *If you are sensitive to caffeine, it can affect your sleep - though cacao contains far less than coffee - about a tenth of the amount. People often find they actually sleep really well and dream vividly after consuming ceremonial cacao. The ceremonial-grade cacao shared in the medicine ceremony is very different from, and more pure & potent than, the raw cacao powder you might use to make raw chocolate, a superfood tonic or smoothies (although ceremonial grade cacao can also be used for all these things). It is far less processed: ceremonial cacao is not heat-treated & retains the cacao butter as well as the cacao powder (cacao solids). About our "ceremonial grade" cacao from Cacao Love. This ancient strain criollo cacao is sourced from organic farmer's co-operatives in the Peruvian Andes. From "seed to ceremony" we only work with co-operatives and family-run businesses, supporting indigenous entrepreneurship with our exchanges. The co-op we've worked with over the last decade was founded in 1998 with the intentions of working with small farmers to preserve traditional methods of cultivating, processing and harvesting cacao. Their four founding principles are: 1) Prioritising quality over quantity 2) Supporting Andean mega-biodiversity, not homogenisation 3) Promoting organic methods of production 4) Fair income distribution amongst the people participating as suppliers, transformers and traders 5) Social responsibility, following the principles of Fair Trade The co-op works alongside the small farmers, generating employment for the local community and offering training and financial support to encourage indigenous entrepreneurship, raising the living standards of small farmers and sustainably increasing crop yields. ***There will also be the opportunity to buy some cacao at the end of the ceremony. ***