This is the audio version of a YouTube video, available at https://youtu.be/FfEN9137Rgs. 

The main presentation was recorded in October 2020 for the UK's National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) annual conference, and was entitled "Chocolate and Social Isolation - on the Therapeutic Potential of Theobroma cacao in a digitally distanced era".  References are listed in the description box on YouTube.

TIMESTAMPS

00:01:30 Upcoming projects and videos

00:04:59 Presentation begins [Chocolate and Social Isolation]

00:05:55 Talk outline (contents)

00:07:50 Definitions – social isolation vs. loneliness

00:09:05 Loneliness, social isolation and risk of death

00:13:55 Psychosocial effects of loneliness and social isolation

00:18:24 How social isolation and loneliness cause health problems (mechanisms)

00:29:10 Long-term implications of social distancing policies – feasible effects on psychosocial and physical health and behaviour

00:33:25 Cacao in Mesoamerican symbolism and belief systems

00:36:46 Traditional uses of Theobroma cacao seeds in Mesoamerica

00:38:38 Specific Mesoamerican myths featuring Cacao

00:41:50 Effects of chocolate consumption on mortality and morbidity, by comparison with social isolation and loneliness

00:46:16 Research evidence for psychosocial benefits of chocolate consumption in the elderly, new mums, and the general population

00:50:30 Mechanisms by which Cacao may offset or prevent health problems induced by loneliness or social isolation

00:58:22 Potential benefits of Cacao consumption

00:59:02 How to take Cacao or chocolate for medicinal benefits

01:02:14 Implications – what Cacao could do for the world

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Practice website: http://nocturnalherbalist.com/v2/

Book: http://thesecretlifeofchocolate.com/

Professional association: https://associationofmasterherbalists.co.uk/user/marcospatchett/