Cacao contains stimulant compounds such as caffeine and theobromine that affect the central nervous system, though individual constituents like theobromine may have weaker direct psychoactive potency compared to caffeine.
Multiple reviews and studies confirm that cacao contains methylxanthines like caffeine and theobromine which act on adenosine receptors and function as central nervous system stimulants. While some older comparative work indicates theobromine is significantly weaker or inert regarding certain physiological parameters in humans compared to caffeine, the overarching consensus supports the claim that these constituents contribute stimulatory and psychoactive properties to cacao.