We love cannabis for its mood boosting, stress relieving, and pain reducing qualities. Caffeine is also popular for its mood enhancing, stimulating effects! As cannabis legalization continues it’s important to stay educated about interactions and potential benefits and risks of combining cannabis and caffeine.
Both CBD and THC provide medicinal benefits and a sense of well-being to millions of us who consume cannabis frequently. I, like so many others, use CBD daily and choose strains that are energizing to keep me alert and focused. Even more of us enjoy a cup (or more!) of caffeine as part of our daily routine. Have you ever considered the effects of using both at the same time? Is this the ultimate pick-me-up?
A DYNAMIC DUO
The benefits of using caffeine and cannabis together have not been extensively studied, however there is some scientific evidence that supports both benefits and drawbacks! Experiences will vary based on the individual, but here are some of the sought-after rewards of combining the two:
- Increased Energy and Focus: Caffeine is a stimulant that can help increase alertness and focus, which makes it an ideal choice for a morning beverage. Cannabis may enhance creativity and motivation for some. Popular strains such as Jack Herer, Durban Poison and Sour Diesel are known for uplifting effects, sparking creativity and motivation. Combining caffeine and cannabis may provide a synergistic effect, potentially supercharging energy levels and concentration.
- Enhanced Mood: Both caffeine and cannabis elevate your mood! Caffeine works by blocking the action of adenosine, a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep and relaxation Cannabis works through the interaction of the endocannabinoid system and the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. Many people report that combining the two can lead to a euphoric and uplifting experience! Overall, both can contribute to a more positive mindset.
- Improved Productivity: Those who combine caffeine and cannabis claim greater productivity and creativity. Caffeine works in our central nervous system to increase alertness and improve concentration. It has been shown to improve cognitive functions such as memory, reaction time and logical reasoning. Essentially, caffeine helps you think more clearly leading to better decision making. Caffeine stimulates the release of adrenaline which increases heart rate, provides a burst of energy and improves stamina. Those who choose uplifting and energizing strains of cannabis can also experience increased concentration and focus. Combining these may result in an exceptionally efficient working session.
- Pain Relief: Both caffeine and cannabis have analgesic properties. Caffeine can enhance the effectiveness of pain medications such as NSAIDS or aspirin by helping them absorb into the bloodstream more quickly. Cannabis relieves pain by interacting with our endocannabinoid system, reducing the transmission of pain signals. Some theories claim that combining the two can ultimately enhance pain relief, particularly for conditions such as migraines or chronic pain. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and effectiveness of this combination for pain management.
- Increased Health Benefits: Cannabis has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, bringing more balance to the body, and promoting healing. Caffeine has been linked to reduced instances of diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. In addition to improving alertness, focus and concentration, some studies show that caffeine can reduce appetite and lower the risk of depression.
Interestingly, a study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence in 2020 found that individuals who used both cannabis and caffeine reported increased positive drug effects and decreased negative drug effects compared to those who used cannabis alone. Furthermore, this study revealed fewer negative effects such as anxiety and paranoia leading us to believe it’s an effective combination.
This aligns with much of the anecdotal evidence in which people rave about the increased feelings of euphoria, relaxation, heightened focus, clarity and mood from combining caffeine and cannabis. You may want to join the growing movement of those using both to start their day on a positive note. And you can certainly find many products now that combine the two touting the benefits discussed here.
BE AWARE
More research is needed but some small studies have identified possible drawbacks to combining caffeine and cannabis.
- Memory Impairment: A study published in the journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior in 2018 found that the combination of low doses of cannabis and caffeine had a synergistic effect on memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior in rats, meaning it could potentially exacerbate cognitive dysfunction. It’s important to note this study was performed on animals, and not on humans.
- Possible amplification of unwanted effects: A study published in the journal Psychopharmacology in 2019 investigated and found that caffeine enhanced the acute effects of THC in humans. These include increased heart rate, subjective drug effects, and cognitive performance impairment which may imply that caffeine could magnify some unwanted effects of THC.
It’s important to note the factors that can influence the effects of combining cannabis and caffeine:
- Strain type. Choosing CBD versus THC will change the effects, as will the terpenes present in your selected strain. Depending on the result you’re looking for, choose your cannabis carefully. If you’re sensitive to overstimulation or feel jittery with the combination, try a different strain or a less intoxicating cannabinoid like CBD or CBG. Similarly, if you’re feeling overstimulated, try decaf coffee. It has less caffeine and typically tastes the same.
- Dosage. Obviously the more you consume of either cannabis or caffeine, the greater the risk of adverse effects, but also more potential for benefit. Always start low and go slow by trying small amounts of cannabis and coffee together. It might take a bit longer, but spend the time learning your body’s response to each individually and you’ll have a much more pleasant experience.
- Timing. When you consume cannabis and caffeine can impact the effects. If you’re especially sensitive to either, consider waiting an hour or so in between to reduce the likelihood of jitters or paranoia.
- Personal differences. All of us have unique physiology, metabolism, sensitivities and tolerance. Additionally, any health conditions and medications can impact the effects of cannabis and caffeine individually
Combining cannabis and caffeine can have health benefits like increased energy, enhanced mood, improved productivity, and pain relief. However, there are potential drawbacks such as memory impairment and anxiety. It’s going to take some trial and error to determine what combination is best for you. Strain type, dosage, timing, and individual differences can impact the effects. I recommend starting with low doses, choosing strains carefully, and being mindful of your personal sensitivities and tolerance. Once you find the right combination, pairing cannabis and caffeine together has the potential to elevate your entire day!
If you’re interested in more personalized or want to explore further, feel free to reach out to me directly at Beth@Cannafitnessnutrition.com. You can discover more about my comprehensive 12 week program, CannaFit, which helps you integrate cannabis into your fitness and nutrition for optimal wellness at www.cannafitnessnutrition.com.