EP4 — The Neuroscience of Cacao: Brainwaves, Reward Pathways and Multisensory Tasting
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EP4 — The Neuroscience of Cacao: Brainwaves, Reward Pathways and Multisensory Tasting
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About this listen
In this episode of Women of Cacao, Ecuador-based founder of Aukey Cognitive Chocolates, Natalia shares the neuroscience of cacao and how chocolate interacts with the brain. Drawing on research in gamma brainwaves, dopamine and reward pathways, multisensory integration, and the endocannabinoid system, Natalia explains how visual cues, aroma, texture, sound, and context shape not only flavor perception, but also mood, memory, and connection. She shares findings that link high-cacao chocolate (70%+) with improved cerebral blood flow, cognitive performance, and emotional regulation, and presents parallels between the neurological effects of laughter, deep meditation, and cacao. The conversation closes with practical implications for makers, facilitators, and wellness practitioners: mindful, multi-sensory cacao experiences can be designed to enhance focus, empathy, and group cohesion—turning chocolate into a deliberate tool for cognitive and emotional transformation.