CBD Coffee: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

If you’re anything like me, your regular morning routine includes a healthy dose of caffeine. I like a rich, dark brew, with a little milk… and CBD.

You can find CBD coffee beans, coffee pods, and specialty coffees at cafes all across the country. But is mixing CBD in your morning (or afternoon, or evening) cup of joe actually a good idea?

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Here’s the scoop – but first…

Health Benefits of Coffee

There seems to be a debate if coffee alone is even a good idea health-wise. Some swear against this delicious drink, while others sing its praises. So what does the science tell us?

Science, thankfully (for me and many others) tells us there’s nothing wrong with our regular morning routine.

In fact, there are actually lots of health benefits of coffee. Coffee:

• increases energy
• boosts your metabolic rate (helps you burn fat)
• contains essential nutrients like manganese, potassium, riboflavin, and magnesium
• is high in antioxidants

Research also shows that it may help protect the liver, may lower your risk of stroke, Parkinson’s, and type 2 diabetes, and protect against depression, Alzheimer’s, and even certain types of cancer.

Yep, it’s pretty impressive what that seemingly simple cup of coffee can do for your health.

But what about adding CBD?

CBD Coffee

Coffee is said to be a stimulant of sorts, while CBD oil is said to be soothing. So, doesn’t it seem kind of counterintuitive to combine the two? Won’t the effects of one cancel the other out?

While it’s unclear at this point what the exact effects of mixing CBD and caffeine are, the general consensus seems to be that, rather than cancelling each other out, CBD coffee offers the perfect balance. Anecdotal evidence shows it helps improve mental alertness while cutting some of the harsh buzz of the coffee. So, relaxed but focused mind, minus the jitters. Yes, please!

That said, it may go beyond those basic benefits.

When you drink coffee, especially in larger quantities (4-8 cups per day), research shows that the neurotransmitters related to the endocannabinoid system decrease. Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that deliver messages between nerve cells. They’re pretty important. CBD naturally increases the natural endocannabinoids in your system, potentially offsetting the results of the coffee. Again, balance.

The thing to remember is, everyone is different. Basic dosing needs may differ, as does the body’s reaction to caffeine. So, how do you control that?

Made at Home or Store Bought?

In many cities around the U.S., you can find CBD-infused coffee at your local grocery store or have it added to your drink at the cafe on the corner. While this may be super convenient, it usually means you have less control concerning A) the quality of the CBD in your cup, and B) the amount of CBD in your cup.

Because of this, I much prefer a made-at-home brew that I can add my ideal dose to. I feel like this gives me a lot more control over exactly what, and how much, I’m getting.

A few other tips: Do your homework. Get it from a reputable source. Only buy organic CBD oil. Make sure you look at the certificate of analysis to verify that it actually contains the amount of CBD oil it says on the label.

And, if you’re just starting out, go slow. Start with a small dose and work your way up.

So, depending on what your health goals are, adding your regular dose of CBD oil into your coffee might be just the ticket to help you start the day off on the right foot. Enjoy my friends!