How Cannabis and Coffee Work Together: Benefits and Effects
Coffee is more than a beverage, thanks to its ability to boost energy levels, awaken the mind, and fine-tune focus. For many, it's an essential morning ritual. The ever-growing list of cannabis-infused drinks and food also features coffee, often touted as a magical elixir.
Since both cannabis and coffee influence the same region of the brain, you might be wondering: What happens when you mix weed with coffee? Does coffee ruin high or interact synergistically or antagonistically with cannabinoids? In this article, we’ll explore how cannabis and coffee work together.
What happens when you consume cannabis and coffee together?
The active stimulant found in coffee is caffeine, which blocks adenosine receptors in the brain. As a result, it increases alertness, concentration, and energy levels while reducing drowsiness.
On the other hand, the effects of cannabis depend on its primary cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Like caffeine, THC is also a psychoactive compound, while CBD is non-psychoactive and known for its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties.
THC binds to receptors in your ECS system (endocannabinoid system), particularly the CB1 receptors in the brain, and affects short-term memory and alters mood and cognition.
Combining weed and caffeine can either enhance or counteract the psychoactive and stimulant effects of both substances. However, the immediate effects of consuming cannabis and coffee together may vary between individuals and depend on:
Individual response to cannabis and caffeine
How much you consume
Terpenes and cannabinoids found in cannabis
Since cannabis can cause inhibition and caffeine acts as a stimulant, cannabis can increase or decrease the stimulant effects of caffeine depending on your dose.
However, studies that evaluate the combined effects of coffee and cannabis are lacking. In an older preclinical study on rats, researchers found that combining both substances boosts energy, calms brain activity, enhances positive feelings, and helps with learning.
Effects and benefits of mixing cannabis and coffee:
Cannabis-infused coffee provides many unique benefits. Some anecdotal evidence shows that caffeine enhances the benefits of a psychoactive compound of cannabis, THC.
With THC
Many users combine THC and coffee and may experience high dopamine levels, which in turn leads to increased happiness.
Both substances are also responsible for increasing productivity and alertness.
Some anecdotal studies also suggest that they both help combat fatigue.
With CBD
Mixing coffee with CBD is generally safe as it doesn’t carry the risk of heightened jitteriness and anxiety, unlike consuming THC-infused coffee.
As CBD is non-psychoactive, combining it with caffeine calms alertness and even counteracts some of the stimulating effects that caffeine provides.
CBD supports a balanced energy state by interacting with adenosine receptors in the brain.
Other effects of caffeine and CBD include reduced caffeine-induced anxiety and enhanced focus.
What cannabis product to use to make Cannabis-Infused Coffee?
There are a variety of weed products that you can use to brew a cannabis-infused coffee:
You can make cannabis-infused coffee with cannabutter. Cannabutter or oil can be made at home using high-quality weed strains. Check out our cannabis homemade cannabutter recipe to give it a try!
Oil-based tinctures are another option for cannabis-infused coffee. Keep in mind that infuse tinctures into syrup or butter before using with your coffee because they mix uniformly in the coffee.
Use cannabis-infused coffee grounds for brewing coffee.
You can add cannabis-infused syrups or creamers to mix cannabis with coffee.
Practical tips for combining coffee and cannabis
Starting slow and going slow is the key to enjoying the effects of both substances. Use low doses of coffee and cannabis and increase in small amounts gradually when needed.
To avoid adverse effects, don’t take cannabis-infused coffee on an empty stomach.
Use your preferred cannabis strain that provides the effects you are after, as not all strain produces the same effects.
If you are prone to insomnia, avoid taking caffeine in the later hours of the day.
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