Quantity and frequency
Some reflections on how much cacao to take and how often
People often ask me how much cacao they should take and how often it’s safe to take it. In this article I’ll share a few reflections on this, based on my own experiences and on what I’ve observed in holding ceremonies and serving cacao to people at different events.
How much to take
How much cacao you take depends a lot on what you’re doing. If you are dedicating several hours to an activity and want to go into a deep state of presence, then it’s worth taking a ceremonial dose. If you are only doing something for a short time (for example, a one-hour yoga class or a couple of hours with your kids), then you will want to take less.
A ceremonial dose of cacao is around 40g but can be as high as 60g. This is great if you are going to do something in-depth: for example, if you are going for a hike in the woods that will last 3 or 4 hours. A ceremonial dose of cacao will support you to feel more connected and be more present, making the activity feel more meaningful. This is particularly true for right-brain activities. (Here’s an article about things that go well with Ceremonial Cacao.)
If you are doing something shorter or less intensive, a smaller amount of cacao can work really well. For example, if you plan to do an hour of yoga and meditation before work, the amount contained in a single Charmed Chocolate (10g) is a great ‘assistant’ to your practice. The same might be true for a 2-hour dance class.
Taking a mid-sized dose (20–30g, 2–3 chocolates) is a great middle ground between a full ceremonial amount and a small uplifting quantity. This is great if you’re doing something that lasts a bit longer but you don’t want to go as deep into it.
It’s also worth remembering that cacao can keep you awake, just like coffee and other stimulants. For this reason I prefer not to take more than 10g after 3pm, as I find it difficult to sleep later on if I take more. (I get the same if I have a cup of coffee after 3pm too!) However, this is quite personal and depends on how sensitive you are to stimulants. It’s worth experimenting to see how much cacao keeps you awake. (I found out the hard way, by taking a ceremonial dose in the evening and being unable to sleep til 3 in the morning.)
An important thing to remember is that different people respond differently to Ceremonial Cacao. So it isn’t necessary for each person to take the same dose of cacao when you do something together. What’s more important is that you each take the amount of cacao that takes you to the same level. For one person that might be 10g, while someone else might need 30g for the same effect.
If you’re new to Ceremonial Cacao, it’s best to err on the side of caution to begin with: it’s much better to eat too few than to eat too many. You can always add in more later but there’s no going back if you take too much too fast.
How often to have Ceremonial Cacao
People sometimes ask how often they can take Ceremonial Cacao. It’s a good and valid question and I don’t have a clear answer. However I’m happy to share a little of what I know and perhaps this is a helpful starting-point.
First of all, it’s probably not seriously harmful to take 10–20g of cacao each day. I have a friend who starts most mornings with a 20g cup of Ceremonial Cacao, and she’s doing great after several years of this.
That said, cacao is high in fat and heavy on the liver. This is particularly true if you have difficulty processing fat — for example, if you went through treatment for hepatitis or did something else that compromised your liver. Age is also a factor in how well your body can process fat.
So it’s really worth listening to your body and paying attention to how it feels if you increase how often you take Ceremonial Cacao. If you find that you’re having trouble sleeping or your digestion is affected in some way, it might be good to slow down or take a break.
There is also the question of whether Ceremonial Cacao is addictive. From my experience I don’t think it causes physically addiction; but like anything that alters your mood, it can definitely be habit-forming. I have noticed, for example, that at difficult times I lean into cacao a bit too much and become a bit dependent on it. As addictions go, it isn’t the worst one — but at the same time I feel it’s important to be aware of when I’m forming a dependency and to take care not to use it to avoid deeper issues.
The most important thing is that you listen carefully to yourself and pay attention to your body and your intuition as you form your own unique relationship with this wonderful substance. If you have a sense that you should slow down, follow that. If you feel like taking a bit more, try that. Listen carefully and allow yourself to be in dialogue with the cacao itself.
These are a few reflections on how much and how often to take Ceremonial Cacao. I really welcome your own thoughts, reflections and experiences of taking cacao. Please add comments to share your experience with others.
