Cannabis products next to a glass of ice coffee

Do Cannabis and Coffee Mix?

Coffee has been a big part of our morning routine for decades. However, many people also recognize the “wake and bake,” or consumption of cannabis, to be just as essential to their morning ritual. 

But what happens when both of them are combined?

This article will focus on the individual and collective effects of cannabis and coffee on the body, as we dive deeper into the science behind your favorite morning routine. 

Effects Of Coffee on The Body

Coffee is statistically considered one of the most popular drinks consumed in the U.S, with an equivalent of 150 million consumers daily. In fact, the United States falls into the 8th spot on the list of the top 10 countries that consume the most amount of coffee.

In general, coffee helps you feel refreshed in the morning by helping to relieve those feelings of tiredness and fatigue. Caffeine has a substantial presence in this drink, which is what’s responsible for the energized feeling. It stimulates the central nervous system and often helps mitigate headaches and migraines. However, excessive intake can cause adverse effects such as anxiety and induced headaches.

This drink is also known to increase stomach acid levels, which is why a lot of people tend to have an upset stomach after consuming coffee.

adding cannabis oil to a cup of black coffee

How Does Coffee Affect Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

The endocannabinoid system helps in the regulation of several bodily functions including appetite, mood, memory, and sleep. Contrary to popular belief, ECS is also present in the bodies of non-users since it regulates endogenous cannabinoids which are produced naturally.

Coffee decreases the number of metabolites (particularly related to ECS) in your body – which is a substance that helps in the process of metabolism. Researchers believe that since one of ECS’s main functions is to maintain certain psychological processes like stress, coffee may help to reduce this accumulated stress by lowering the number of metabolites associated with ECS – thereby reducing the overall function of ECS.

Effects Of Cannabis on The Body

The way cannabis affects your body differs depending on the way it is consumed. For example, eating an edible may affect your body differently than inhaling a pre-roll, mainly due to the way the CBD and THC compounds get in contact with your body.

The effects also depend on the type of benefit you’re seeking with your cannabis consumption. While THC-dominant products may provide psychoactive effects, CBD-dominant products may provide similar relaxing benefits without the psychoactive feeling. Whereas, products balanced in THC and CBD may enable users to enjoy the best of both worlds.

coffee grains and coffee

How Does Cannabis Affect Your Endocannabinoid System (ECS)?

The ECS in your body reacts immediately to the THC compound present in cannabis. As soon as the user intakes cannabis with psychoactive properties, the THC tends to attach itself to the EC system – cannabinoid receptors present throughout the body.

Since (as mentioned above) cannabinoids also occur naturally in the body, they are unable to attach to the receptors that are overwhelmed by the THC. This inhibits natural cannabinoids from carrying out their work of ensuring seamless communication between neurons, which in turn disrupts the brain’s reaction time and may inhibit memory strain. THC is also known to trigger the chemicals associated with happiness as they bind with the cannabinoid receptors.

How Do Cannabis and Coffee Affect the Body When Consumed Together?

Although there haven’t been many studies done around this topic, Florida medical marijuana doctors believe that there is a link between caffeine consumption and cannabis intake.

A 2014 study concluded that high amounts of caffeine may trigger the need for more THC in the body, leading users to consume more products that are high in THC. 

In another theory, researchers believe that the individual effects of the two may cancel out the overall effect. In general, the effects of caffeine and cannabis are often opposite – while caffeine tends to energize and may stimulate sharper brain function, THC is usually consumed with the goal of relaxation in mind. According to this theory, these products may prove to counteract each effect. Expressing that your body may not feel much of a difference after consuming coffee and cannabis together.

cannabis leaf on coffee grains

In Conclusion

There are various benefits of both cannabis and coffee if consumed individually. However, the resulting collective effect of the two is still a grey area, due to the limited research available surrounding the topic.

Do you qualify for a Florida medical marijuana card? Find out here.