When sipping my cup and allowing the the mind and heart to drift without the constant need of doing, I find myself wondering how many of humanity’s greatest wellness practices have been hidden in plain sight all along.
Not in expensive biohacking devices.
Not in complicated supplements.
Not in the latest wellness trend.
But in simple practices our ancestors have been using for thousands of years.
One such practice is humming.
A gentle vibration created by our own voice.
When combined with ceremonial cacao, this simple act may support healthy circulation, nervous system regulation, heart-brain coherence, and a remarkable molecule called nitric oxide.
The more I have explored the science behind both cacao and humming, the more I have come to appreciate how ancient wisdom and modern research often arrive at the same destination through different paths.
Perhaps the most fascinating part is that the very molecule stimulated through these practices is so important to human health that it led to a Nobel Prize-winning discovery and even helped scientists better understand how medications such as Viagra work.
But this story is not really about medication.
It is about remembering the extraordinary intelligence already present within our own bodies.
My name is Sharon Fernie, and I am the founder of Herbal Cacao, where we share high-quality ceremonial cacao blends infused with herbs, spices, and mushrooms.
I have a deep passion for holistic wellness and ancient traditions, and through Herbal Cacao it is our mission to support our community on their journey of self and spiritual discovery while spreading awareness about the profound benefits of ceremonial cacao and other medicinal herbs and mushrooms.
Here in the Herbal Cacao Journal, I love exploring the intersection between ancient wisdom and modern science, especially when those discoveries help us deepen our connection to ourselves, our hearts, and the natural world.
Today, we are exploring one of my favourite examples of that intersection.
A simple cup of cacao.
A gentle hum.
And a tiny molecule with extraordinary influence throughout the body.
What Is Nitric Oxide and Why Does It Matter?
Nitric oxide is one of the most important signalling molecules in the human body.
Although tiny and short-lived, its influence is enormous.
Nitric oxide helps communicate messages between cells and plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow and circulation.
One of its most important functions is helping blood vessels relax and widen, a process known as vasodilation.
When blood vessels are able to expand appropriately, blood can move more freely throughout the body, supporting the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs.
In other words, this tiny molecule helps orchestrate some of the most essential functions that keep us alive and thriving.
The Surprising Science of Humming
Now comes the fascinating part.
Your sinuses naturally produce nitric oxide.
Most of us never think about this.
Yet every breath we take passes through spaces within the skull that generate this remarkable molecule.
Researchers discovered something unexpected.
When people hummed during exhalation, nitric oxide levels within the nasal passages increased dramatically compared to normal breathing.
The vibrations created by humming appear to enhance airflow through the sinus cavities, helping release stored nitric oxide.
What makes this particularly beautiful is how simple it is.
No equipment.
No special training.
No complicated techniques.
Just your breath and your voice.
Many people notice that humming naturally creates a feeling of calm.
Science offers several possible explanations.
The vibrations created by humming may stimulate branches of the vagus nerve, the primary communication pathway between the brain and many major organs.
The vagus nerve plays a central role in activating the parasympathetic nervous system, often called the “rest and digest” state.
This is the state associated with:
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Relaxation
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Recovery
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Digestion
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Emotional regulation
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Feelings of safety
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Heart-brain coherence
Perhaps this explains why humming, chanting, singing, and vocal toning have appeared in spiritual traditions across cultures for thousands of years.
From the chanting of Om in yogic traditions to Gregorian chants and sacred songs used by Indigenous cultures, sound has long been understood as a tool for shifting consciousness and regulating the human experience.
Modern science may simply be catching up to something ancient peoples already knew.
How Ceremonial Cacao Supports Healthy Blood Flow
This is where the story becomes even more interesting.
Long before scientists discovered nitric oxide, cacao was already being revered throughout Mesoamerica as a sacred plant.
The Maya understood that cacao nourished more than the physical body.
She nourished the heart.
Today, modern research offers some fascinating insights into why.
Cacao Flavanols and Blood Vessel Function
Ceremonial cacao contains naturally occurring compounds known as flavanols.
Research suggests cacao flavanols may support endothelial function.
The endothelium is the thin layer of cells lining the inside of blood vessels.
One of the key roles of the endothelium is helping regulate nitric oxide production and vascular function.
When endothelial function is supported, blood vessels are better able to relax and respond appropriately to the body’s changing needs.
This is one reason cacao continues to be one of the most studied foods in cardiovascular research.
The Gentle Power of Theobromine
Unlike coffee, cacao contains relatively low amounts of caffeine and higher amounts of a compound called theobromine.
Theobromine provides a different experience.
Rather than stimulating the nervous system in an intense or abrupt way, many people describe ceremonial cacao as creating a gentle sense of alertness combined with calm presence.
Theobromine has also been associated with supporting healthy circulation through its effects on blood vessel relaxation.
This may help explain why so many people report feeling both energised and grounded after drinking ceremonial cacao.
Magnesium and Nervous System Support
Ceremonial cacao is naturally rich in magnesium, a mineral involved in hundreds of biochemical processes throughout the body.
Magnesium plays important roles in:
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Nervous system regulation
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Muscle relaxation
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Cardiovascular function
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Stress resilience
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Energy production
For many people, one of the most noticeable effects of ceremonial cacao is not stimulation but a feeling of deeper connection and ease.
Magnesium may be one small part of that story.
The Connection That Surprised Scientists
One of the most interesting facts about nitric oxide is its relationship to medications designed to support circulation.
Many people are surprised to learn that nitric oxide plays a central role in the biological pathway involved in how medications such as Viagra work.
To be clear, humming and ceremonial cacao are not replacements for medication.
Nor do they produce the same effects.
However, both cacao and humming may support the body’s natural nitric oxide pathways and healthy vascular function.
The fascinating insight is not the comparison itself.
The fascinating insight is recognising just how important nitric oxide is for overall wellbeing.
When scientists developed treatments that worked with this pathway, they highlighted the significance of a molecule the body has been producing naturally all along.
Why the Combination of Cacao and Humming Feels So Powerful
When we combine ceremonial cacao with humming, something beautiful happens.
Cacao nourishes.
Humming regulates.
Cacao encourages presence.
Humming deepens it.
Cacao supports circulation.
Humming may support nitric oxide production and vagal activation.
Together they create a ritual that engages both body and mind.
Many people describe experiencing:
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Greater relaxation
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Enhanced focus
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Increased body awareness
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A deeper sense of presence
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Emotional openness
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Heart-centered connection
Perhaps this is why ceremonial cacao pairs so naturally with meditation, breathwork, journaling, and mindfulness practices.
She invites us inward.
The Heart Coherence Connection
As a long-time student of the HeartMath Institute, I have become increasingly fascinated by the relationship between emotional states, heart rhythms, and overall wellbeing.
Research in heart coherence suggests that emotions such as gratitude, appreciation, compassion, and love can create more coherent patterns within the heart’s rhythm.
These coherent states are associated with improved communication between the heart and brain.
When we drink ceremonial cacao with intention, slow our breathing, and engage in practices such as humming, we create conditions that naturally support these more coherent states.
This does not mean cacao creates coherence on her own.
Rather, she becomes a beautiful companion for the practices that help us cultivate it.
A warm reminder to slow down.
To listen.
To feel.
To reconnect.
A Simple 5-Minute Cacao and Humming Ritual
The beauty of this practice is its simplicity.
Step 1: Prepare Your Cacao
Prepare your favourite Herbal Cacao blend.
Take a moment to appreciate the aroma, warmth, and journey she has taken from origin to cup.
Step 2: Settle Into Stillness
Sit comfortably.
Place both feet on the ground.
Take three slow, conscious breaths.
Step 3: Sip Mindfully
Take a slow sip of cacao.
Notice her richness.
Allow yourself to arrive fully in the moment.
Step 4: Begin Humming
As you exhale, create a gentle humming sound.
Feel the vibration moving through your face, throat, chest, and heart space.
Continue for 10 to 15 seconds.
Pause.
Take another sip.
Repeat.
Step 5: Continue for Five Minutes
There is no need to force anything.
Simply allow the vibration and warmth to guide you deeper into presence.
Step 6: Place a Hand on Your Heart
Ask yourself:
“What would my heart like me to know today?”
Then listen.
Not with your mind.
With your heart.
Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science
What I love most about practices like this is how they remind us that wellness does not always need to be complicated.
Sometimes the most profound shifts come through the simplest rituals.
A conscious breath.
A gentle hum.
A moment of stillness.
A warm cup of ceremonial cacao.
Modern science is beginning to reveal mechanisms that help explain why these practices feel so nourishing.
Yet perhaps the greatest gift lies beyond the science itself.
The invitation to slow down.
To reconnect with our bodies.
To remember that wellbeing is not something we chase.
It is something we cultivate through the small moments we choose to honour each day.
And sometimes those moments begin with nothing more than a warm cup of cacao and the sound of our own voice.
FAQ
Does humming really increase nitric oxide?
Research suggests that humming can significantly increase nitric oxide levels within the nasal passages compared to normal exhalation due to enhanced airflow through the sinuses.
Does ceremonial cacao contain nitric oxide?
Cacao does not contain nitric oxide itself. However, cacao flavanols may support endothelial function and the body’s natural nitric oxide pathways.
Is humming a form of meditation?
Yes. Many people use humming as a meditation practice because it encourages present-moment awareness, nervous system regulation, and relaxation.
Can ceremonial cacao support circulation?
Research suggests that compounds naturally present in cacao, including flavanols and theobromine, may support healthy circulation and vascular function as part of a balanced lifestyle.
What is the best time to practice cacao and humming?
Many people enjoy this ritual in the morning to begin the day with clarity and presence, or in the evening as a way to unwind and reconnect with themselves.
