Episode 1: LOVE
Sceletium & Cacao
Kanna, one of Southern Africa’s most potent and ancient plant medicines, is growing its roots into mainstream culture all over the world. We see Sceletium appearing in a variety of forms—from powders, dried herb, and fermented pastes to extracts and even pharmaceutical applications—across countless spaces.
The increased accessibility of this succulent means it’s naturally being consumed alongside many other plants and substances. Being psychoactive, there are many harmonious herbs that Sceletium can be combined with to enhance its different qualities.
This blog series will be dedicated to exploring the alchemy of Sceletium with its most synergistic plant allies.
Theobroma cacao, another ancient medicine being woven into Western spiritual culture, is embraced for its heart-opening qualities and health benefits. This awakening plant is most often made into a drink and used for natural energy enhancement, ecstatic dance rituals, as a coffee alternative, and has become a signature element in many offerings and events within spiritual communities.
What emerges from the union of these powerful plant allies?
An activating, heart-expanding love potion quite comparable—energetically—to the experience many associate with the so-called “love drug,” MDMA…
Let us dive a little bit deeper into this chemistry.
Sceletium, with its wide spectrum of gentle yet profound effects, is cherished foremost for its natural ability to lift the spirit. It softens and soothes the nervous system, inviting feelings of peacefulness, a heightened sense of awareness and presence often accompanied by a deepened capacity for empathy and love.
Cacao, rich in biochemical magic, carries a constellation of naturally occurring compounds that awaken the senses. Theobromine, its signature alkaloid, offers a gentle, steady stimulation that activates the body without the sharp edges of caffeine. Alongside it, phenethylamine and tryptophan help create a subtle sense of emotional warmth and openness. Many people find that cacao deepens presence, and invites a grounded, heart-forward state.
Because cacao naturally encourages a sense of openness in the body through its gentle vasodilating effects, many people feel that it creates a more receptive state where other plant allies can be experienced more fully. When paired with Sceletium, this increased circulatory flow may enhance one’s absorption of Sceletium into the bloodstream —allowing its mood-softening, heart-centering effects to arise with more clarity and presence. Rather than “pushing” the plant into the system, cacao seems to invite the body to receive more openly, creating a harmony where both plants can be felt in a richer, more expansive way.
This synergy is a beautiful, gentle, and natural alternative to stronger stimulants, but it can still feel powerful for sensitive nervous systems and may keep you awake and aware for many hours.
To be consumed with love, curiosity, and respect.
Mucho amor,
Cailin
