Coffee is a staple for countless people around the world, and with the changing landscape surrounding CBD — a popular non-psychoactive cannabinoid with a newly booming market — it’s no surprise that consumers now enjoy a combination of the two products: CBD coffee.
Coffee has been around for centuries, but the CBD market is only just starting to take off. While there is limited research around CBD coffee specifically, studies have suggested that caffeine and CBD offer a number of potential benefits by themselves.
If you’re thinking about trying CBD coffee for yourself, we’ve got everything you need to know right here!
What is CBD Coffee?
CBD coffee is exactly what it sounds like: coffee enriched with CBD.
Most people are already familiar with coffee. The rich and bitter morning beverage is produced through roasted coffee beans and has a long history tied to food and culture. The caffeinated beverage provides an energetic, stimulating effect in humans, so many folks choose to enjoy coffee first thing in the morning or when they need a quick energy boost.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a plant compound found in cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike its more well-known and popular counterpart, THC, CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning that it does not elicit the “high” and associated effects that THC does.
With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived CBD can also be incorporated into products like lotions, gummies, capsules, and more in the United States, so long as it contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
How to Choose the Best CBD Coffee
When shopping for CBD coffee, or really any CBD product on the market, it’s important to understand that the FDA does not regulate them. All that to say: There are plenty of trustworthy CBD brands on the market today, but you shouldn’t blindly trust all of them.
When shopping for CBD coffee, be sure to choose a company with an established and trusted reputation. CBD companies should be transparent about their production process, and it should be easy to verify their legitimacy through a quick Google search. A somewhat blank website, a lack of reviews, or a limited online presence beyond the main site may be a sign to look elsewhere.
Trustworthy CBD companies will also ensure their products go through third-party testing and provide easily accessible results. Third-party testing ensures that all of the advertised compounds are truly in the product you’re buying while providing assurance that the product contains no impurities and is federally compliant.
Does CBD Coffee Contain THC?
Legal CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Many CBD products do contain trace amounts of THC, though if it is under the legal limit, it will not get you high.
That said, even trace amounts of THC can still show up on a drug test, so many consumers opt to avoid it altogether.
Full-spectrum CBD products contain all plant compounds, including THC, other cannabinoids, and terpenes. If you are looking to fully avoid THC, you’ll want to try out a broad-spectrum or isolate product. Broad-spectrum CBD products contain all cannabis compounds except THC, and CBD isolate is strictly CBD — with no other compounds.
Potential Effects and Benefits
As mentioned, the specific effects of CBD coffee have yet to be explored in scientific studies, and most of the information we have is based on anecdotal evidence. However, there is still a wealth of available data surrounding coffee and CBD separately, which could help to inform some of the benefits consumers can expect from combining the two.
Health Benefits of Coffee
One of the primary benefits of drinking coffee is the energy boost that comes with it. Though research is finding that coffee may have far more to offer us.
Some research suggests that regular coffee drinks have lower rates of type 2 diabetes, potentially due to coffee’s ability to preserve the function of beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin to regulate blood sugar levels.
Studies have also found that regular coffee consumption could help to protect against neurodegenerative disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, though research has been somewhat mixed.
Coffee is also associated with a lower risk of depression, with one study review noting that just a single daily cup of coffee was linked to an 8% lower risk of depression.
Further, some studies have even suggested that drinking coffee could extend longevity. A review of 40 studies found that drinking two to four cups of coffee a day was associated with lower risk of death, regardless of other factors like age, weight, and alcohol consumption.
Health Benefits of CBD
One of the main perks of CBD is that it offers a number of the same potential benefits as THC without the same intoxicating effects. Research is still catching up, though the information available shows that the cannabinoid contains a number of promising attributes.
CBD has been clinically shown to reduce pain responses in our bodies without the same side effects other pain relievers, like opiates, may come with. Studies have also shown the anti-inflammatory effects CBD possesses.
While THC and cannabis are sometimes known to heighten anxiety, CBD may help to reduce it, along with helping to treat other conditions like depression and mood disorders. Some evidence has also shown that CBD can improve sleep quality and has the potential to aid in treating a number of diseases.
Risks and Side Effects
The FDA suggests up to 400 mg of caffeine a day, around four to five cups of coffee, should be safe for consumption.Studies have shown that up to 1,500 mg a day is well-tolerated, though — like coffee and caffeine — it depends on the person, and the vast majority will use far less.
Some of the side effects of using too much CBD include sleepiness and fatigue, confusion, potential liver health issues, and stomach issues, nausea, or diarrhea. In turn, coffee can also lead to some unpleasant side effects, like increased anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, high blood pressure, and increased heart rate. Many people may also find their frequent coffee use leads to a dependency, or caffeine addiction.
Summary
CBD and coffee cover a lot of bases on their own when it comes to benefits and wellness, so it makes sense that combining the two can lead to a more well-rounded experience. Like any substance, the effects vary based on the person, and it’s important to start slow and avoid overuse.
As the CBD world continues to grow, there are an increasing number of CBD options available for consumers. If you’re a fan of the cozy feeling that coffee provides, simply without the caffeine, or just want something to ward off the more active feelings from a CBD coffee, a calming CBD hot chocolate could be the answer!
When it comes to the CBD world, it’s just the beginning! As we collectively continue this journey, there are bound to be many more innovations like CBD coffee to help consumers find their bliss.