In a nation where over 80% of its residents drink coffee, it’s no wonder that we run on caffeine and anxiety. What if the anxiety part could be mitigated, though? Cannabidiol (CBD) coffee could be just the ticket to calming those nerves while still getting you nice and buzzy.

There are a few properties to coffee that make it the drink of choice for so many. For one thing, the aroma actually has anti-anxiety properties. Its rich smell just makes us feel good, which can also help to relieve nervousness. Also, coffee is a natural antioxidant.

The benefits of CBD are also well known, though controversial. It’s understood that CBD is an anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure medicine that’s good at combating depression and anxiety. However, without other cannabinoids — even THC in low doses — CBD isn’t as effective. It still performs, just at a lower rate. Additionally, it needs to be taken consistently to really work any wonders.

Although you can take CBD several ways, from vaping to gummies, one unique way to consume CBD is through coffee.

Proponents, like Craig Leivent, PharmD, co-owner of Flower Power Coffee Co. (a maker of CBD-infused coffee and edibles), say that the combination of CBD and coffee will give you the alertness of coffee but without the jitters.

But High Times magazine, which covers all things marijuana-related, thinks the idea was ridiculous. Their logic makes sense: If CBD is known to make you sleepy, wouldn’t it fight with the caffeine and leave you groggy?

If you’re like most of us here at Honest Marijuana, you can’t function without your morning cup of coffee (or four). But what if you could get the same kick with a side of pain relief, anxiety reduction, and seizure suppression (just to name a few)?

Sound too good to be true? It’s not. It’s what you get from a steaming cup of CBD coffee.

In this article, the all-things-cannabis experts at Honest Marijuana reveal everything you need to know about this new elixir from the ganja gods, including:

  • The many benefits of CBD coffee
  • How to make your own pot of pot coffee
  • What to expect from this magical brew

First, though, we’ll get to the bottom of what makes CBD coffee so effective for everything that ails ya.

Caffeine And Cannabidiol

CBD coffee is the combination of two of our three favorite molecules: caffeine and cannabidiol (CBD). The third molecule in that triumvirate of power is, of course, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but that’s a topic for another time.

Here’s a bit of background about these two awesome chemical compounds.

Caffeine

cannabis coffee

Caffeine — or C8H10N4O2 — is a naturally occurring stimulant found in the seeds, nuts, and leaves of a number of plants native to Africa and South America.

The most well-known source of caffeine is the coffee bean. In fact, humans have been roasting these beans for the purpose of brewing a drink since the middle of the 15th century (that’s the 1400’s, son).

It’s worth noting that the plants that contain caffeine use it as a defense mechanism to protect themselves against predators.

In that regard, it’s very similar to the cannabinoid molecules in the marijuana plant that, also serve to deter predation.

Cannabidiol

cannabis coffee

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is one of the major building blocks of the cannabis plant. Other cannabinoids include:

  • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • Cannabigerol (CBG)
  • Cannabichromene (CBC)
  • Cannabinol (CBN)
  • Cannabicitran (CBT)
  • Cannabicyclol (CBL)

The fact that it’s non-psychoactive means it doesn’t cause a psychedelic high like some other cannabinoids (THC, we’re looking at you). But that doesn’t mean CBD doesn’t interact with the brain at all.

It does, and in some rather unique ways.

Benefits Of CBD Coffee

cannabis coffee

As you’ll soon see, there are a lot of benefits to brewing up a cup of CBD coffee. We’ll break these benefits down by component so you understand where all the effects come from.

1) Caffeine Accelerates The Release Of Serotonin And Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that facilitates brain activity and plays a major role in the motivational component of reward-motivated behavior.

This latter effect is the reason you need your coffee in the morning.

Serotonin produces a mild antidepressant effect. It’s not enough to alleviate the symptoms of depression, but it is enough to give non-sufferers a more rosy outlook when all they want to do is go back to sleep.

2) Caffeine Signals The Release Of Adrenaline

Your body releases adrenaline in times of stress. The presence of adrenaline in your body increases blood flow, accelerates breathing, and boosts carbohydrate metabolism in preparation for fight or flight.

A cup of joe in the morning won’t get you as amped as a grizzly bear at the foot of your bed, but it’ll supply a noticeable “kick in the pants” that will help you start your day (or power through that mid-afternoon slump).

3) Caffeine Helps Muscles Contract

The combination of caffeine and adrenaline “lubes” your muscles (not in that sense, perv) so that they contract faster and stronger than they would by themselves.

This helps you feel powerful, confident, and ready to face the morning commute.

4) CBD Relieves Anxiety

We’ve already touched on the psychological benefits of caffeine (a mild antidepressant), but combine that with the anti-anxiety properties of CBD and you’ve got a truly wonderful way to start the day.

Anxiety and depression can turn even a lazy Saturday morning into a stressful occasion. But with a mug of CBD coffee in hand, you’ll enjoy relaxing in your favorite chair just watching the world go by.

5) CBD Decreases Pain

Another wonderful benefit of CBD coffee is that the CBD molecule interacts with your brain and body in a way that decreases pain.

CBD does this by:

  1. “Numbing” the vanilloid receptors in your brain that register pain
  2. Reducing inflammation

Inflammation — your body’s response to a problem — is a major cause of pain even if there’s no underlying damage.

For example, say you contract a flu virus that doesn’t really cause any damage (other than making you feel awful). Part of your body’s response is to raise the level of inflammation in your system in order to fight off the infection.

This makes you feel achy and ill. CBD can help alleviate that pain brought on by inflammation.

Granted, it’s nothing like a pain reliever you can get from your doctor. It won’t mitigate extreme pain (say, from a broken bone), but it can lessen the pain from a headache, muscle soreness, or arthritis so you can get one with your life.

6) CBD Suppresses Muscle Spasms

Uncontrolled muscle contraction is a significant medical issue for people of all ages. And because these contractions originate in the brain rather than the body, they can be extremely difficult to treat.

Unlike other anticonvulsant medications that interact with your body, CBD goes straight to the source to significantly reduce the electrical misfires that cause muscle spasms, convulsions, and even seizures.

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