Should You Mix CBD and Coffee?

What is CBD Coffee?

If you haven’t tried adding CBD oil to your coffee yet, you may be wondering what the hype is all about. While it might seem like a passing trend, there are some legitimate reasons why people are adding CBD to their favorite caffeinated drinks. But before we jump into why you should or shouldn’t combine these two mood boosters, let’s take a look at why this combination is so appealing

The fact is, a lot of people are unintentionally making this combination all the time. That’s because they take their CBD oil in the morning – which is the same time of day they drink coffee. But many are purposely adding a dash of CBD to their cup of joe.

People who are new to cannabinoids might be hesitant to invest in a bottle of CBD oil for a first-time experience. For those curious folks, grabbing a beverage at a local coffee shop is a cheaper and easier path to trying CBD. But experienced CBD users are adding it to their coffee because they love the way the combination makes them feel.

Coffee vs. CBD: What Are the Effects?

If we want to understand the potential benefits of CBD-infused coffee, we need to take a look at the effects that each product has on the body individually.

CBD and the Human Body

Cannabinol (CBD) is one of dozens of natural compounds (cannabinoids) that are found in the cannabis plant. It’s considered non-psychoactive, and while it can affect the way we feel, it doesn’t produce the traditional “high” or intoxication that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known for.

CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate things like brain function, mood, sleep, stress, inflammation, and pain. The ECS has receptors throughout the body, which act as signaling pathways. When CBD interacts with these receptors, it helps to moderate signals sent to the brain and can reduce things like unnecessary pain, inflammation, or anxiety.

Caffeine and the Human Body

Caffeine is a plant product that is commonly found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks. It acts as a stimulant by exerting an effect on the central nervous system. These effects can begin in a little as 10 minutes after drinking a cup of coffee and can last up to six hours. When coffee is consumed in moderation (1-2 cups), it helps people feel more alert and less sleepy, with few negative side effects. Caffeine can increase the heart rate, body temperature, and production of urine (diuretic). But drinking too much can cause dizziness, nausea, anxiety, irritability, and trouble sleeping.

One of the reasons CBD and coffee have become such a popular duo is that some of the negative effects of caffeine can be off-set by CBD. Let’s take a look.

Why People Love Pairing Caffeine and CBD

While research is a bit lacking on the benefits of a paring CBD and coffee, the anecdotal evidence is strong. Coffee lovers are raving that the combination helps get ride of the jittery edge brought on by a large hit of caffeine. They also say that it helps them attain a high level of energy and focus without the inevitable caffeine crash. For many, it’s the ultimate combination that wakes you up, calms you down, and evens you out.

But what does the research have to say?

The Science of CBD and Coffee

Even though CBD doesn’t have the same mind-altering effects of THC, it was lumped in with controlled substances in most parts of the world for a long time. This means there haven’t been many studies that asses the effects when combined with things like coffee. Unfortunately, there is a huge gap that separates the booming CBD market and the scientific evidence that backs up the health claims.

But the good news is that the World Health Organisation considers CBD to be safe with a low potential for abuse and a high potential for therapeutic benefits. It’s still unclear what the exact interaction between CBD and caffeine is, but we do know that CBD acts as a stimulant at low doses and is more sedating at higher doses. Armed with that knowledge, it’s pretty easy to predict how CBD coffee will make you feel based on the dose of each ingredient.

With the large variety of CBD strains and extraction methods, it is difficult to say exactly how CBD will alter the way caffeine feels. Everyone is different, and we’ll all have a slightly different experience based on the dosage and the individual characteristics of our bodies. But if chugging an espresso makes you feel a little wired, a dash of CBD might level you out.

So, can you mix CBD and Coffee? Yes! But there are a few things to keep in mind.

Things to Remember When Mixing CBD and Coffee

If you’re excited about trying CBD with your next cup of coffee, here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your experience.

•  If you are suffering from a medical condition, coffee might not be the best way to get your CBD. When CBD oil is taken sublingually (held under the tough), it has a higher bioavailability than if swallowed quickly. So taking it with a beverage may decrease the power of a dose.
• Studies have shown that CBD can degrade when exposed to heat, which can cause it to lose some potency. You can get around this issue by choosing an iced coffee, or just waiting for your beverage to cool off a bit.