Ceremonial Medicines

Cacao

Heart-opening ceremonial cacao from Guatemala — the food of the gods and a gentle teacher of love.

Ceremonial cacao is pure, minimally processed cacao — nothing like the highly sweetened chocolate most people know. Sourced from heirloom Criollo cacao grown in the highlands of Guatemala, ceremonial cacao contains theobromine (a gentle heart stimulant), phenylethylamine (the "love compound"), and anandamide (the "bliss molecule"), as well as magnesium and a host of antioxidants.

At the doses used in ceremony — typically 40–50g — cacao gently opens the heart, increases body awareness, and enhances emotional sensitivity. It pairs beautifully with movement, music, and sharing circles. Unlike the heavier plant medicines, cacao is accessible to almost everyone and often serves as an ideal first step on the path of plant medicine, or as a softer option on a rest day within a deeper retreat.

Cacao ceremonies at Mariri often incorporate breathwork, conscious movement, group sharing, and intention-setting. The medicine is drunk warm, in silence, as you tune into your body and your intentions for the ceremony. Our facilitators hold a warm, inclusive space that honors cacao as the teacher she is.

Cacao has been used in ceremony by Mayan and Aztec peoples for millennia. We source our cacao directly from indigenous-led cooperatives in Guatemala.

Lineage & Tradition

Cacao was sacred to the Maya and Aztec peoples, associated with the deity Quetzalcoatl and used in royal and ceremonial contexts for thousands of years. The modern ceremonial cacao movement draws on these traditions while making the medicine widely accessible. We source our cacao from the Guatemalan highlands, working with suppliers who maintain fair-trade relationships with cacao-growing communities.

Preparation

Avoid eating for at least 3 hours before a cacao ceremony. If you have a heart condition or are sensitive to caffeine/theobromine, please consult with our team about appropriate dosage. Ceremonial cacao is contraindicated with MAOIs. Cacao is generally considered safe for most people and is offered as part of all retreats and as standalone ceremonies.

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Cacao is offered as part of our retreats.

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