Raw cacao- ill effects?

[Rawbin]

Got my first bag of cacao nibs yesterday- I know there is controversy over if these are truely "raw" or not... what I experienced was similiar to cocaine. My heart pounded out of control, had boundless energy, felt "on top of the world", no appetite, extrememly talkative. It frightened me. Has this happened to anyone else? :confused:

[Punky]

Rawbin,
Some others on this board have experienced speed like effects from raw cacao as well, and others are not as sensitive to it. There are many previous threads about this controversary if you do a search with the banana search key at the top of the forum page. I find in small quantities I feel good when I use cacao, but on one occassion when I had a lot on an empty stomach
it did have a stimulant effect on me. I still use it occassionally in desserts or smoothies, but not everyday. That's just *me*. Everyone here is different...some use it very frequently and some not at all. Carob is an excellant substitute for that choclatey taste as well.

[Sunshine9]

I've never noticed anything like that from raw cacao. And I've eaten large quantities before... didn't effect my sleep or anything.

I think it's good for you.

[misslinda]

WOW, thanks for sharing Rawbin! Cocaine like effects? I don't think I'll take my chances and try it,. :)

[Indi]

Got my first bag of cacao nibs yesterday- I know there is controversy over if these are truely "raw" or not... what I experienced was similiar to cocaine. My heart pounded out of control, had boundless energy, felt "on top of the world", no appetite, extrememly talkative. It frightened me. Has this happened to anyone else? :confused:

Hi
I havnt tried them.
A friend of mine reported exactly the same experience when eating nibs!
She was also very frightened by her experience! :)

[soprofound]

Got my first bag of cacao nibs yesterday- I know there is controversy over if these are truely "raw" or not... what I experienced was similiar to cocaine. My heart pounded out of control, had boundless energy, felt "on top of the world", no appetite, extrememly talkative. It frightened me. Has this happened to anyone else? :confused:


i was reading up on this stuff and it does have drug interactions, especially with MAO inhibitors...are you on any meds?

[JennaBoBenna]

Wow, guys, let me tell you...

I made some almond milk this morning and was looking for something to put in it and I saw my bag of cacao nibs and added some of it along with some honey and agave. It turned out really yummy, it tasted like a chocolate starbucks frappachino or something! But after about drinking a cup of it I becan to feel all buzzy and wired. It didn't feel too good...I'm still feeling a bit of the buzz and its been awhile! I don't think I'll be using cacao again soon....

[misslinda]

Oh Jennah, did you drink some water?

[Rawbin]

Soprofound- The only meds I'm on are insulin and birth control.

[JennaBoBenna]

Oh Jennah, did you drink some water?

I've been drinking a little bit, I completely forget sometimes! I also just got my period a few hours ago so I'm feeling the blahs.

[misslinda]

BOy, you've been thru some interesting events lately Jennah!!!

I dunno about ya'll but cacao nibs are outta my vocab after hearing your experiences.

[JennaBoBenna]

BOy, you've been thru some interesting events lately Jennah!!!

I dunno about ya'll but cacao nibs are outta my vocab after hearing your experiences.


I know :( it's been terrible! I had a headache all day yesterday because I ate some of thoes baked lays bbq chips, my boyfriend and I are having money issues, my mom's still recovering from her hysterectomy, my best friend is really, really upset because she was in a fight with her boyfriend, we've had to take two rats to the vet, I have cramps :( What else can happen this month !? So much stuff is happening that makes me feel bad :(
I am so ready for raw, it's not even funny :p

[misslinda]

Gosh Jennnah,

that's "rawful" all that!!! I'm really sorry and sorry about those cacao nibs. I will keep you in my prayers and meditations. New beginnings for you beautiful eyes. ;)

[pdx kris]

I haven't had those side effects, but here is the rather unpleasant one I have experienced. Both times I have tried cacao -- and in pretty small quantities, mind you, no more than a handful -- my armpits turned in to absolute swamps, major pitting out occured. it was gross. it was too bad too, as i tried the cacao in smoothies and was very tasty!

[rawfigure]

My husband and I can eat cacao with no problems. but give me some Braggs or NamuSoy and my heart will be racing and my lips will swell. Everyone is diffferent so it when trying new foods it is best to try a small amount !

[JennaBoBenna]

Gosh Jennnah,

that's "rawful" all that!!! I'm really sorry and sorry about those cacao nibs. I will keep you in my prayers and meditations. New beginnings for you beautiful eyes. ;)

Thank you thank you :)

[Beanie]

Yeah, I have side effects from cacao too! Yep, I have a cacao smoothie, and I have a blissful, wonderful day, I'm more focused, relaxed and joyful!! Everyone at my work eats them too and experiences the same type of effects but for me stimulants relax me where I think most others get stimulated. At a raw potluck, one lady did say it caused her heart to race, but thats one in about 50 people that were there. Cacao does have theobromolein ?? or something like that in it, so it could react with certain meds I would guess. I wouldn't give them up for the world though!! Hey, you can send me yours........

[Punky]

Yeah, I have side effects from cacao too! Yep, I have a cacao smoothie, and I have a blissful, wonderful day, I'm more focused, relaxed and joyful!! Everyone at my work eats them too and experiences the same type of effects but for me stimulants relax me where I think most others get stimulated. At a raw potluck, one lady did say it caused her heart to race, but thats one in about 50 people that were there. Cacao does have theobromolein ?? or something like that in it, so it could react with certain meds I would guess. I wouldn't give them up for the world though!! Hey, you can send me yours........

They make me feel good too; I do not get edgy like with coffee. I have ADD so I think that's why I do well on them. I can tell they have a mild stimulating effect on me though in a way; more alert and focased, decreased appetite, but makes
me feel happy. I do not get the mood swings I get from regular caffeine...just my experience.

[juliebove]

I've eaten nibs with no problems, but they're so bitter I can only have a pinch at a time.

[Beanie]

Have you put them in a smoothie or a dessert? They are unsweetened!

[Curleedst]

Can you describe how to make the raw cacao smoothie? Sounds yummy.

[Beanie]

Here you go! This is my recipe, you will LOVE it!:

Chocolate Maca Ectascy Shake

1/4 cup cacao nibs
1/4 cup brazil nuts, almonds (sprouted), cashews or hempseed
2 T agave nectar, more or less to taste
1/2 frozen banana
1 cup filtered water

optional but recommended:
pinch of celtic sea salt
1 T coconut oil or coconut butter
1 T mesquite (gives it a caramel like flavor)
1/2-1 T maca
1/2-1 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 inch or so vanilla bean)
1/2 T carob


1. Blend above well 1 minute
2. Taste, add/adjust sweetness
3. Add 1 cup ice and blend well 30 seconds until ice is all crushed up.
4. Enjoy and have a blissful day!

[aromaticwings]

Got my first bag of cacao nibs yesterday- I know there is controversy over if these are truely "raw" or not... what I experienced was similiar to cocaine. My heart pounded out of control, had boundless energy, felt "on top of the world", no appetite, extrememly talkative. It frightened me. Has this happened to anyone else? :confused:

I never had any sensativity with cacao. I have eaten the nibs right out of the bag... made into smoothies, sweet treats and nothing from any of these forms has made me feel much different..

I just had a "hot chocolate" with warm water, coconut oil, coconut water, and cacao nibs.. blended well... let sit for about 15 minutes and blend again and add some cinnamon afterwards blend again....

the letting it sit seems to soften the nibs some to get the true chocolate out of them.... great drink... sometimes I add macca also... mmmmmm think I will go have another... :D I have also had the Ecstasy drink too

[Drawn]

I have only had positive effects from cacao. I don't have it every day and I enjoy the benefits on the days that I do. It makes me feel relaxed and yet focused. I enjoy it in smoothies too but prefer to grind the nibs before or use the pre-ground cacao from NFL since my blender doesnt grind them smooth enough. I have also made warm cacao with the powdered version. I tiny bit of cayanne helps to warm it too.

[aromaticwings]

I have only had positive effects from cacao. I don't have it every day and I enjoy the benefits on the days that I do. It makes me feel relaxed and yet focused. I enjoy it in smoothies too but prefer to grind the nibs before or use the pre-ground cacao from NFL since my blender doesnt grind them smooth enough. I have also made warm cacao with the powdered version. I tiny bit of cayanne helps to warm it too.
Hmmmm cayenne?? Sounds interesting... I had heard that cinnamon brings the chocolate out but not cayenne... might try that... :D

[juliebove]

Have you put them in a smoothie or a dessert? They are unsweetened!

Nope. I don't like smoothies and am not really a dessert person. I actually like them. I love bitter chocolate. I just can't eat very much of them at one time.

[newyearspromise]

I feel like I am on the top of the world when I eat cacoa. I usually eat it when I need to clean the house--I have boundless energy and can go and go, but I am not jittery and hyper, just super energetic. I love the feeling...but I get very addicted to the cacoa so I order it only once in a while. It also makes me have NO APPETITE, so I found that I was eating very poorly when eating cacoa...I would go all day without wanting to eat anything but when I would want to eat, I was only craving the cacoa...so because of this I also limit how often I order it.

Now I am wanting some!! I haven't had any in about a month!!

It really helps me to lose weight...but I think only because I end up being super active and skipping meals...which is not the best way to lose weight...