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Coffee connoisseurs are constantly on the lookout for how to enhance their daily cup of joe. With CBD products and shops popping up everywhere, many coffee-lovers have begun to experiment with CBD coffee.
Though coffee is already known for a number of positive perks, adding CBD could incorporate some additional health benefits and even improve the effects of caffeine. Let’s take a look at this latest coffee trend.
The cannabis plant consists of a number of compounds. The two most well-known are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol); although, there can be up to 100 cannabinoids in the plant.
THC is the psychoactive compound that can give you the sensation of being high. CBD is derived from the flowers of the hemp plant. As for legality, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized CBD so long as it has less than .3% THC.
How is CBD made? Typically, CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant via alcohol or carbon dioxide. CBD is then added to a carrier oil such as hempseed or coconut oil (the saturated fats allow for CBD to be better absorbed into the bloodstream). Lastly, CBD is sent to a third-party lab which will test for purity and potency.
There are several forms of CBD:
CBD has gained recognition in recent years because of its wide-ranging health benefits from reducing anxiety to aiding with neurodegenerative diseases.
A 2018 cross-sectional study linked CBD to helping with pain and inflammatory disorders.
A 2020 reviewshows promising results of CBD and its role in aiding with anxiety disorders.
A 2021 study found that CBD could help control oxidative stress and inflammation in those battling Parkinson’s Disease.
The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ESC is composed of enzymes and receptors which regulate biological functions like sleep, mood, and appetite. This system also aids the immune system.
Interestingly, our bodies can make their own cannabinoids which are called endocannabinoids. Cannabinoids that come from plants, such as CBD, are called phytocannabinoids.
Whether made internally or or applied externally, cannabinoids act in similar ways by binding to receptors in the ECS and affecting certain biological processes. Overall, CBD tends to help the body relax.
How long does CBD stay in your system?CBD remains in your system 2-5 days. This does not mean that you will experience the effects of it for that length of time. Typically, the effects of CBD only last about 2-6 hours. Granted, this depends on dosage, metabolism, and frequency of use.
The entourage effect is often discussed when it comes to the effectiveness of CBD. The entourage effect is the ability of all of the compounds of the cannabis plant to work together and in the body to increase efficacy. When cannabis compounds are isolated, they tend to work less effectively.
80% of U.S. adults consume caffeine daily. Most consume caffeine via coffee, tea, energy drinks, and soft drinks.
Caffeine can be found in over 60 different plants, the most common being cocoa beans, kola nuts, tea leaves, yerba mate leaves, and of course, coffee beans.
Caffeine is a stimulant primarily known for affecting the Central Nervous System. Once consumed, caffeine goes to work, speeding up metabolism, neurotransmitters, heart rate, etc., within about 15 minutes.
Caffeine lasts for about an hour or two; however, it has a half-life of about 6 hours. (So, perhaps rethink that fashionable 8 p.m. espresso shot if you’re hoping to get those coveted 8 hours of sleep.)
Though caffeine tends to affect energy and mood positively, there can be too much of a good thing.
The FDA states that caffeine consumption beyond 400 milligrams in a day could be detrimental to one’s well-being. Side effects of too much caffeine include:
Caffeine and CBD tend to use the same pathways in the ECS. They tend to highlight one another’s strengths and downplay weaknesses.
There’s a fair amount of anecdotal evidence that combining caffeine and CBD has a synergistic effect. While caffeine and CBD tend to have quite different effects on the body (caffeine stimulates and CBD calms), combining them may take the best of both worlds to create a unique effect.
How does CBD interact with caffeine?The exact manner in which CBD and caffeine interact is difficult to determine at this juncture. Many proponents of CBD coffee claim that caffeine still offers a quick energy boost and CBD staves off negative effects of caffeine such as coffee jitters.
Also, the effects of CBD tend to last a bit longer than those of caffeine. CBD potentially stretchess the amount of time one feels the effects of caffeine.
You don’t have to make a special trip to a coffee shop to get CBD coffee. It’s actually quite simple to brew your own home.
How do I prepare a CBD coffee? The easiest way to prepare CBD coffee is simply to add CBD oil to regular coffee. CBD oil can change the taste of your coffee as it has an earthy flavor.
The great thing about CBD is it’s versatile. You can pretty much add it to any coffee drink and voila, you have CBD coffee. However, there is an optimal way to prepare CBD coffee.
High temperatures can affect CBD compounds, potentially making them less effective. The best way to get the most out of your CBD is to add it to a prepared drink.
Start by making coffee using your preferred method (cold brew may help you get more out of your CBD additive). Then, mix in a water-soluble CBD tincture (as it incorporates better). 5-15 milligrams of CBD is standard; however, know that you might need a trial period to get the dosage just right for your individual needs.
The Importance of Dosage
When it comes to using CBD, finding the right dosage is key. Everyone reacts differently to it. You don’t want the effects of CBD to disrupt your daily routine, so some experimentation may be necessary.
Medical Director of Canna-Centers, Dr. Bonni Goldstein, noted in her interview with Marie Claire “It’s unclear at this point in time the exact interaction between CBD and caffeine,” she says. “At low doses, CBD is a stimulant and in higher doses it can cause sedation....Someone’s reaction to a combination of these compounds would not be easily predictable because various doses of each would affect the response.”
Is CBD and caffeine safe? Though the science is young on how CBD and caffeine interact, it is likely safe to combine the two. CBD and caffeine are widely consumed and tend to have few side effects.
For now, it comes down to knowing how you respond to the two. Be mindful of your potential sensitivity or any medical conditions that might make it unwise for you to consume CBD and caffeine.
Upgrading your cup of coffee doesn’t always require an extra ingredient (although CBD is welcome, of course). Golden Ratio offers a range of high-strength coffee with a whole new flavor.
