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.

In this episode, we travel to the high mountains of Talamanca, Costa Rica, with holistic therapist and Bribri–Cabécar healer India Mayorga to explore the cosmovision of cacao as a living spirit, not a commodity. India shares an ancestral origin story of cacao—Siru—as told through her matriarchal lineage, explaining how cacao is woven into Bribri cosmology, law, and ceremony, and why her community speaks of having “cacao blood.” She also touches on traditional protocols (including why Bribri women do not drink cacao during menstruation), the role of women as guardians and ritual preparers of cacao, and how modern practitioners can approach cacao with greater reciprocity, respect, and relationship to original peoples and lands.

Conversations from the Women of Cacao Summit—uniting the many voices shaping the future of cacao and chocolate. Join our global community, register for the next FREE live summit, and explore monthly gatherings at womenofcacao.com.

Welcome to the Women of Cacao Podcast, Season 1, sharing highlights from the Women of Cacao Summit 2025.