CBD and Caffeine

In 2019, Alwan Mortada established Ott Coffee as a beverage company with a special interest in CBD-infused coffee. The Ott Coffee brand of beverages is generally produced by directly adding hemp-derived cannabidiol to the coffee beans during the roasting process. There are many other emerging brands of beverages currently experimenting with the infusion of cannabidiol into conventional beverage formulas.  

Caffeine has long been proven to be a safe stimulant in humans. And with the introduction of cannabis-derived products into the global supplement market, consumers are becoming increasingly familiar with the beneficial health effects of cannabidiol. Many tobacco consumers who are planning to switch to cannabidiol smoking are also experimenting with the idea of consuming small quantities of the new product in their morning coffee. The global cannabis beverage industry is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2025, expanding at a healthy CAGR of 17.8%. Within this forecast period, the cannabidiol-infused beverage segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of the cannabis beverage market. Most importantly, market valuation is expected to be driven by the shifting preference of beverage consumers from soft drinks to wellness drinks.  

The science behind CBD and caffeine

Caffeine is a plant alkaloid consumed as a stimulant of the central nervous system. Coffee consumers have reported mild CNS stimulation, wakefulness, and an ability to sustain intellectual activity. The actions of caffeine on the biological are many and complex. However, the medicinal and stimulatory actions of caffeine are attributed to its effects on the adenosine receptors and the phosphodiesterase enzymes. 

Caffeine is a nonselective antagonist at both adenosine receptors. By blocking the inhibitory effects of these receptors, caffeine indirectly influences the release of neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, glutamate, and serotonin. Caffeine also inhibits the phosphodiesterase enzymes in the skeletal muscle and subsequently increases the intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The effects of caffeine on the neurotransmitters explains the extra kick it provides in a morning coffee drink.

By combining CBD with coffee, users can increase the desirable effect of caffeine. Long-term coffee users have reported side effects, including shaking, anxiety, poor concentration, and skipping heartbeats. These sides can also present as withdrawal symptoms of coffee. Cannabidiol has shown impressive results in the management of anxiety and cognitive impairment in many patients. This means adding cannabidiol to a morning coffee can prevent the side effects commonly reported by users. In 2019, the European Journal of Neuroscience published a research result suggesting that cannabidiol can effectively moderate the impulsivity associated with long-term consumption of caffeine. 

Although there are only a few clinical researches on the beneficial effects of the CBD-coffee cocktail, however, there is much anecdotal evidence supporting this combination. Beyond counteracting the side effects of caffeine, CBD can also help manage coffee withdrawal symptoms. 

Although CBD-infused coffee is becoming increasingly popular, first-time users are advised to only consume this cocktail moderately under medical supervision. The cannabis industry is rapidly expanding, and more exciting prospects are expected with time.  

REFERENCES

• https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cannabis-beverages-market-size-worth-2-8-billion-by-2025–cagr-17-8-grand-view-research-inc-300986317.html
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30667546
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK223808/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1356551/
• https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00201
• https://dailycbd.com/en/mixing-cbd-coffee/?amp