Coffee containing cannabidiol (CBD) may offer some benefits, but research is inconclusive. Some people report experiencing more energy and fewer jitters than with a typical cup of coffee.
The purported benefits come from caffeine, CBD, and the antioxidants and other chemicalsTrusted Source in coffee.
Several recent studies suggest that coffee, caffeine, or a combination offer health benefits, especially with moderate consumption. Research into the purported benefits of CBD is ongoing and inconclusive.
Read on to learn about CBD coffee, its potential benefits, risks, and more.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
What is CBD coffee?
Cannabis contains several different chemical compounds. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, which means that unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it will not make a person feel high.
CBD currently has FDA approvalTrusted Source for use as an antiseizure medication to treat three specific conditions, but it has no other documented medical use. However, ongoing research is assessing other potential benefits, such as anxiety relief and treating arthritis.
CBD coffee manufacturers claim that their product offers the benefits of CBD, as well as the benefits of coffee. Research increasingly suggests that moderate caffeine consumptionTrusted Source may offer some health benefits and that chemicals in coffee may have health benefits.
It is important to note that the FDA does not regulate CBD as a medication in supplements, food, and drinks, including coffee. There is no guarantee that adding CBD to coffee offers any specific benefits.
How to choose the best CBD coffee
The FDA does not regulate most CBD products, including supplements such as CBD in coffee. For this reason, there is no guarantee that these products are safe, effective, or contain the quantities of CBD they claim to.
Additionally, the FDA continues to express concernsTrusted Source about unregulated CBD products.
No scientific evidence specifies the best CBD coffee or how to find the right coffee. However, the following guidelines may help a person make a safe decision:
Choose a company with a good reputation.
Only buy coffee that lists all ingredients and exact quantities of caffeine, CBD, and other ingredients.
Start with a small quantity, and pay close attention to how a person feels after drinking the coffee.
Does CBD coffee contain THC?
CBD products, including CBD coffee, do not contain significant quantities of THC. They may contain very small amounts of THC as a byproduct.
In the United States, CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC to be sold legally. This means that CBD will not get a person high, but it could theoretically cause a person to fail a very sensitive drug test.
Potential effects and benefits
Anecdotal reports include a wide range of benefits from CBD coffee, such as:
- more energy
- a reduction in the adverse effects of coffee, such as feeling jittery
- weight loss
- better sleep
- reduced anxiety
Currently, scientific research supporting the use of CBD stems from the proven benefits of coffee, not CBD. There is no recent, well-controlled research on the benefits of combining the two.
Health benefits of coffee
Researchers have debated the health benefits of coffee for decades, but the advice has changed, and not all studies agree on the health benefits or risks of coffee.
Coffee contains antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and mitigate oxidative stress in the body. Additionally, the caffeine in coffee may offer several health benefitsTrusted Source, such as improvements in cardiovascular health.
Over the short term, caffeine may improve mood, energy, and concentration.
Research suggests that coffee drinkers have lower rates of type 2 diabetes, certain types of heart disease, and certain types of cancer. While this is promising, research has not yet proven that coffee causes these benefits. Some other shared factors among coffee drinkers, such as being physically active, might explain the phenomenon.
Health benefits of CBD
Several ongoing clinical trials are investigating CBD for use in treating anxiety, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other diseases.
According to a 2022 studyTrusted Source, CBD can relieve pain, improve sleep, and regulate mood disturbance in people with musculoskeletal pain. However, the authors note that clinical evidence is lacking, and experts have not established clear dosage guidelines.
However, this research is both ongoing and inconclusive.
A 2018 systematic reviewTrusted Source looked at the potential benefits of CBD for noncancer chronic pain and found evidence supporting a small benefit. This means CBD may help to reduce chronic pain.
However, there is no evidence that CBD coffee offers similar benefits. As research continues, researchers may uncover evidence to support anecdotal claims of CBD’s benefits.
Risks and side effects
The FDA suggests 400 milligrams (mg)Trusted Source of caffeine per day, or about 4–5 cups of coffee, is usually a safe level of consumption.
There is no established safe consumption level of CBD. Its use in supplements, coffee, and other products is mostly unregulated. Therefore, the main risks and side effects of CBD coffee come from the fact that the FDA does not regulate this product.
For example, if a brand of CBD coffee does not contain the listed quantity of CBD, a person will not know how much they are consuming.
Some potential side effects include:
- sleepiness
- confusion
- liver health issues
- suicidal thoughts, especially in people with depression or a history of suicidal thoughts
- allergic reactions
- interactions with other drugs
Although there are no absolute contraindicationsTrusted Source to using it, coffee is not safe for everyone. Caffeine can worsen some conditions, including:
- anxiety
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcers
- heart arrhythmias and some other types of heart disease
- liver disease
- seizures
- pregnancy
- kidney disease
Summary
CBD coffee is generally safe to try, but the effects vary from person to person. People interested in trying this product should first talk with a qualified healthcare professional, especially if they have preexisting health conditions or regularly take medication.
Like all natural products, CBD can have similar effects to other medications, so it is important to monitor for side effects and drug interactions.
