Although there is currently a dearth of research on the relationship between caffeine and cannabis, what is known thus far indicates that combining the two may result in a different experience than using them separately. It’s possible that the chill of smoking some marijuana could help reduce the jitters of caffeine when taken together. However, there isn’t any conclusive evidence to back up a counteraction as of yet. However, if you choose to use marijuana for medical reasons, obtaining a medical marijuana card is essential because it will allow you to legally access the drug in your state.
However, combining cannabis with tea or coffee—both botanical preparations that contain a complex array of compounds—may have different effects than combining cannabis with caffeine pills.
For instance, tea contains L-theanine, which has calming properties that partially offset the effects of caffeine. Additionally, L-theanine may lessen the detrimental effects of THC on memory and cognitive function. Trigonelline, on the other hand, is a substance found in coffee that has anti-tumor, anti-migraine, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective qualities. Trigonelline is another substance found in cannabis, and using it with coffee may intensify some of its effects.
What Is Caffeine?
People all over the world use caffeine, a psychoactive stimulant, to improve their cognitive function. A 2014 study found that approximately 85% of Americans consume at least one caffeinated beverage per day, including coffee, energy drinks, and Guayana tea. Caffeine isn’t just found in drinks; it can also be found in chocolate, supplements, and even some flavoring plants.
How Caffeine Impacts Your Body
Caffeine increases alertness and wakefulness by stimulating the central nervous system. It functions by attaching itself to receptors and blocking the uptake of adenosine, which is the chemical that builds up throughout the day and causes you to feel sleepy.
Additionally, caffeine can raise blood levels of adrenaline and increase dopamine and norepinephrine activity, which can make you feel happy, alert, and focused. A single cup of coffee can have an impact on the body in as little as 20 minutes.
Frequent caffeine use can improve memory and focus over the long run. Chronic caffeine use has also been linked in studies to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. Chlogenic acid, which is present in tea and coffee and has antioxidative and neuroprotective qualities, may also contribute to some of these neuroprotective effects.
However, consuming too much caffeine can have a number of negative effects, such as:
- Anxiety
- Increased heart rate
- Shakes
- Nausea or heartburn
- High blood pressure (only in the short term)
- Lack of sleep
- Headaches
Mixing Cannabis and Caffeine: Potential Benefits and Risks
Potential Benefits
Overall, not much research has been done on the possible advantages of marijuana’s effects when taken with caffeine. According to some data, the interaction between adenosine and the endocannabinoid system may result in notable effects when the substances are mixed.
Caffeine may help with the cognitive impairment brought on by THC in cannabis, allowing users to concentrate better while still reaping the other health benefits of marijuana use.
The amount of CBD in a cannabis product can affect how stimulant or depressant a particular strain (cultivar) is. Consequently, cannabis may or may not intensify or lessen caffeine’s stimulant effects.
A 2011 animal study examined how monkeys respond to a tiny (one milligram) dose of caffeine in relation to cannabis access. Despite having unlimited access to marijuana, they discovered that monkeys who were given caffeine were less likely to use the drug.
Another 2017 study found that, although through different mechanisms, caffeine and cannabis both raise dopamine levels in the brain. According to the authors, combining cannabis and caffeine may result in a greater feeling of happiness and euphoria.
Additionally, shakiness following large doses of caffeine may be eliminated by CBD. According to a 2020 animal study, mice given CBD had slower movement and decreased locomotor sensitivity compared to those fed caffeine.
Potential Drawbacks
An older study found that while THC worsens memory and caffeine enhances short-term memory, mixing the two in low doses caused the same memory deficits induced by high levels of THC.
Also, both caffeine and marijuana are known to increase heart rate, which could aggravate people with underlying heart disease or issues with arrhythmia.
Ending Words!
The full extent of the interactions between marijuana and caffeine in the body is still unknown to science. Your individual experience and tolerance to each substance will likely influence how they interact, resulting in highly customized effects.
If you’re unsure, you might want to proceed cautiously until you know how it affects your system because we don’t know as much about the risks of combining cannabis and caffeine as we do about its benefits.
In just a few minutes, apply online for your medical marijuana card and consult with one of Ohio MMJ Card Doctor’s licensed medical marijuana doctors Cleveland.
