What Is the Flow State?
The flow state is a sense of fluidity between body and mind – when thought and movement merge into a seamless rhythm. It is an effortless effort, a state of momentum where time seems to expand or disappear altogether. Intuition is heightened, distractions fade, and we become fully absorbed in the task at hand. This is pure presence and awareness.
A central figure in the study of flow is Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist who identified and named the psychological concept of Flow.
His work explored well-being and the meaning of life. Travelling the world, he asked people when they felt their best and when they performed at their peak. Time and again, the answer was somewhat the same: people described entering an altered state of consciousness where decisions felt intuitive, actions unfolded with ease, and complete absorption in the task caused everything else to fall away.
How do we enter a flow state?
Flow is universal and available to all of us.
It is supported by intrinsic motivators such as curiosity, passion, purpose, and autonomy. There are also neurological flow triggers that help us enter this state. One of the most important is dopamine – a feel-good neurotransmitter that drives focus, attention, alertness, and excitement.
What is Dopamine?
Dopamine is a vital neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a central role in brain function. It supports movement, learning, and memory, influences mood, concentration, and focus, and helps regulate many processes in the body. Dopamine is also a key part of the brain's reward system, creating feelings of pleasure and satisfaction and motivating us to engage in enjoyable and meaningful activities.
This is where cacao enters the conversation, with its dopamine enhancing effects.
Cacao contains Phenylethylamine (PEA), often called the love molecule. PEA encourages the release of endorphins - those subtle pulses of pleasure and well-being – while softly lifting serotonin, the happy hormone. This leaves the body feeling at ease, emotionally uplifted, and open to the present moment.
Another powerful compound found in cacao is anandamide, commonly known as the bliss molecule. Derived from ananda, the Sanskrit word for bliss, this naturally occurring neurotransmitter supports serotonin production and awakens pleasure, motivation, and focus by gently engaging dopamine receptors in the brain. Anandamide already flows within us, guiding mood, memory, and appetite.
Theobromine, cacao’s primary alkaloid, offers a gentle stimulant. By widening blood vessels and increasing circulation, it can elevate mood while supporting mental clarity and presence, offering the gentle lift without the jittery effects of caffeine.
Cacao is also abundant in flavanols, powerful plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These nourish the heart and brain, supporting healthy blood flow, memory, and clarity of thought, while inviting the body back into balance.
When you weave cacao into your personal practices, you are supporting your body’s natural dopamine creation while enhancing cognitive and cardiovascular health. Cacao encourages increased serotonin, dopamine activity, and endorphin release - nourishing body and mind to flow harmoniously together.
Cacao as a Gateway to Flow
Cacao can gently guide us back into our bodies and into the present moment. When approached with openness and curiosity, it can support us in movement, creative expression, or focused work.
Perhaps you sip cacao before beginning your day, your movement practice, or a creative session. Wherever you are, cacao meets you there – offering focus, joy, and a sense of equilibrium. So this is an invitation to follow your curiosity, one sip of cacao at a time.
