CBD and Coffee
Caffeine is the world’s most famous and commonly consumed psychoactive drug. Who doesn’t ingest even a little from time to time?
CBD oil is rapidly gaining ground on coffee in terms of popularity and so it only makes sense that people would start combining the two.
As it turns out, the two substances go very well together!
Caffeine is molecularly very similar to adenosine, a compound produced in our bodies that activates the A2a receptor. Caffeine binds to the A2a receptors, inhibiting the reuptake of adenosine.
When adenosine binds to the A2a receptor, the result is what is commonly known as the ‘rest and digest’ effect. Consequently, blocking adenosine from binding results in vasodilation, which increases clarity and alertness.
CBD oil is also a partial agonist of the A2a receptor; so the theory goes that by combining caffeine and CBD, adenosine is blocked across the board, resulting in not only more stimulation, but reduced anxiety (due to CBD’s effects on other neurotransmitters systems).
It is worth noting that these effects depend on the serving size of the CBD. High amounts of CBD are more likely to cause drowsiness and sedation.
Additionally, caffeine is metabolized by a CYP450 enzyme, specifically CYP1A2. As CBD inhibits the CYP450 enzyme system, a slowed excretion rate of caffeine will occur. This can mean the effects of the caffeine will be more prolonged and drawn out. The can be both good and bad!
On the bright side, CBD oil and caffeine together will cause the boost from your morning cup of coffee to last all day instead of just a few hours. On the downside, it’s easy to overdo it and end up wide-eyed in bed when you are trying to go to sleep.
Considering this information, again, it is best to be mindful and cautious when mixing caffeine and CBD.
