CBD Oil in Your Coffee: What You Need to Know

Many people who appreciate a great cup of coffee drink three or more cups each day. Some depend on a large mug of dark-roasted brew to jump-start their day. Others prefer the boost of a mid-afternoon cappuccino or latte. Whether you enjoy the flavor, aroma, and uplifting effects of your favorite coffee blend steaming hot, over ice, bottled, sweetened, or frothed, you've likely noticed a dramatic increase in the number of companies infusing their coffee with CBD. 

Although many coffee lovers are curious about the possible effects of combining CBD and caffeine, coffee drinkers don't always realize that CBD concentrations (and overall quality) can vary by brand. Before paying top dollar for CBD-infused coffee beans or prepackaged drinks, you might want to try making your own. All you'll need to get started is coffee, water, and a bottle of your favorite CBD oil tincture.   

What Is CBD Coffee?  

CBD coffee is a caffeinated beverage. It's made with a blend of coffee and cannabidiol (CBD), the most abundant of the many potentially beneficial cannabinoids in the oil extracted from the stalks, stems, and flowers of industrial hemp. Once the plant's oils are extracted and distilled, they're used to make a wide range of products, everything from versatile tinctures and convenient capsules to delicious gummies and cannabinoid-infused chocolate bars. CBD-infused whole bean or ground coffee is most often sold in coffee shops by the bag or in single-serving pods. Some brands also offer cold brew coffee drinks in bottles or cans.   

Why Add CBD to Coffee? What Does It Do?  

Tea is popular worldwide, but coffee is the naturally caffeinated beverage of choice in the US. As a nation, researchers estimate we drink more than 400 million cups in a single day. Of those millions of cups, 65% are enjoyed with breakfast. Nearly 150 million coffee drinkers also indulge in specialty coffee drinks throughout the day (Gunter, 2022). The beverage is best known for boosting energy levels, mood, metabolism, and mental clarity, thanks to about 100 mg of caffeine per cup. 

But that energy boost often comes at a price. A considerable number of coffee drinkers have trouble with indigestion, heart palpitations, sleeplessness, anxiety, or find that caffeine makes them feel jittery (Severini et al., 2017). Many CBD users claim the cannabinoid helps temper the negative effects of caffeine. However, it's important to understand that there's not a lot of scientific data supporting those assertions, no lab reports or clinical trials suggesting a symbiotic relationship. With that being said, you're sure to find numerous testimonials submitted by people suggesting the combination leaves them feeling alert, but also calm and focused (Ashton, 2022). 

Although there's not a lot of research delving into the effects of CBD coffee, there's been a significant amount of study investigating the impact of caffeine. Based on that research, we know the caffeine in a regular cup of coffee enhances alertness by binding with the adenosine receptors in the brain, an impact that keeps neurons firing and encourages the release of adrenaline (Ribeiro & Sebastiao, 2010). The adrenaline rush so many people get from caffeine stimulates a "fight or flight" reaction and the release of dopamine. In response, blood vessels constrict, heart rates increase, muscles tense, and digestion slows. CBD's effect on the body involves an entirely different set of receptors, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors, in a way that helps restore balance (homeostasis) (Sallabery & Astern., 2018).    

How to Make CBD Coffee 

Of course, you'll always have the option of purchasing CBD-infused coffee beans or ground coffee. But will you get the full effect of their combined potential? That depends. When you brew CBD coffee, there's no way to know how much CBD makes it to your cup (compared to the amount left behind). Plus, coffee on its own doesn't have enough of what your body needs to help ensure cannabinoid absorption, a source of fat. CBDistillery® CBD oil tinctures are made with a blend of naturally cultivated hemp extract and fractionated coconut oil (MCT oil), a heart-healthy fat that helps improve CBD's bioavailability. While there's no single method of adding CBD to hot or cold beverages that appeals to every coffee drinker, you have several options. 

Add CBD Oil Directly to Your Cup  

The easiest way to add CBD to your coffee (regular coffee or decaf) is to add a serving (or partial serving) directly into your cup. Just shake the bottle, measure, and stir. If you prefer drinking your hot coffee black, you may want to continue stirring occasionally to redistribute the oil. For coffee drinkers who prefer cream, half and half, or non-dairy creamer, the small amount of MCT oil lingering on the surface is hardly noticeable. If you're concerned about adding the natural flavor of hemp to your morning brew, consider using a tincture made with flavorless, odorless CBD isolate. 

Blend Your CBD Oil with Liquid Coffee Creamer or Milk  

Making your own CBD coffee creamer gives you full control over your ingredients. You can add CBD to any flavored creamer you have on hand. If you're out of liquid creamer, try almond milk, oat milk, or reconstituted powder. You can make a single serving or enough to last several days. The choice is yours. However, if you make a large batch, shake or stir your creamer before each use to help ensure an even distribution of cannabinoids. If you plan on spacing a single serving over several cups of coffee throughout the day, you may also find it helpful to know that a 1ml serving is about 20 drops. 

Make CBD-infused Bulletproof Coffee  

A favorite of people enjoying a ketogenic lifestyle, bulletproof coffee is a moderate to high-calorie caffeinated beverage with the fat low-carb dieters need to fuel their day and curb food cravings (Jackson et al., 2021). To make bulletproof CBD coffee at home, pour a cup of freshly brewed coffee into your blender. Then add 1 tsp-2 tablespoons of butter or ghee, 1 tsp-2 tablespoons of coconut oil or MCT oil, and your desired amount of CBD oil. Blend for 20-30 seconds until frothy. If you don't have a blender, you can get the same effect using a large mug and a hand-held milk frother. 

Could You Benefit from CBD Coffee?  

Based on the responses of nearly 2000 CBD users, most survey respondents report favorable results using CBDistillery® hemp-derived CBD products for better sleep (89%), relaxation, and pain after physical activity (84%). An impressive 89% also say CBD helps calm their mind, and 88% tell us that CBD helps with mild or temporary anxiety. 

Although there's little scientific data confirming CBD helps balance the effects of coffee, many CBD users find the anecdotal evidence quite intriguing. CBDistillery® CBD Oil Tinctures make it easy to determine if CBD coffee is right for you. You can also use your CBD oil tincture to add the health and wellness potential of hemp-derived compounds to baked goods, DIY skincare products, soups, sauces, and candy recipes. For faster cannabinoid absorption, hold a serving beneath your tongue for 10-20 seconds, then swallow. 

To learn more, visit CBDistillery® to find answers to frequently asked questions, read our #CBDMOVEMENT Blog, or download our Ultimate CBD User Guide, the #1 resource guide for CBD users. Then consider browsing our selection of CBD oil tinctures, topicals, softgels, gummies, and CBD skincare products. All CBDistillery® CBD, CBDA, CBN, CBG, and hemp-derived THC-infused products are third-party tested, leaping bunny certified, and backed by a no-risk guarantee. 

References 

Ashton, L. (2022) CBD and Caffeine: Why You Should Mix CBD with Your Morning Coffee. 

Gunter, M. (2022) 22 Coffee Consumption Statistics and Facts in 2022: Fascinating Data! 

Jackson G, Crampton K, et al. Impact of Coffee Containing Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil and Ghee on Markers of Cellular Inflammation In Young Healthy Humans. 5(2) Curr Dev Nutrition 1127. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzab061_011 

Rubiero J, Sebastiao A. (2010) Caffeine and Adenosine. 20(1) J Alzheimers Dis S3-S15. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-2010-1379 

Sallaberry C, Astern L. (2018) The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator. 34(6) JYI 48-55. https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator 

Severini C, Derossi A, et al. How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Coffee? Effects and Processing Operations, Extraction Methods, and Variables. PDF