JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. (420CanNews) — As part of early morning rituals, there’s a unique phenomenon that has gained popularity among potheads: wake ‘n’ bake. The term refers to starting the morning with a combination of weed and coffee, setting the tone for a relaxed and productive day ahead.
Coffee has caffeine, which revs up the central nervous system to feel energized and alert. But marijuana contains THC, which causes a chill, relaxed feeling by engaging the endocannabinoid system. Even though immediate effects go in different directions, research shows these two compounds actually overlap in their influence on brain chemicals. Despite the differences, weed and coffee share some common ground when it comes to their effects on neurotransmitter systems.
How Weed and Coffee Affect the Brain’s Endocannabinoid System
A research study led by Dr. Marilyn Cornelis at Northwestern University tracked how coffee influenced levels of endocannabinoids – chemicals that regulate appetite, mood, and memory. It found that coffee and weed push this system in opposite directions.
During the three-month trial, 47 coffee drinkers abstained for 30 days before steadily increasing their intake. Blood tests at each stage revealed that drinking four cups a day in the second month and eight cups daily in the third month dramatically lowered endocannabinoid levels. This matches the idea that coffee puts the brakes on the endocannabinoid system.
On the flip side, smoking marijuana makes endocannabinoid levels go up. This likely explains why marijuana gives people the “munchies” – it cranks up appetite by boosting these appetite-related neurotransmitters. So while coffee suppresses the endocannabinoid system, marijuana activates it.
Is It Harmful to Combine Weed and Coffee?
It would be safe to presume that consuming a small amount of weed together with your coffee would be great given the potential health benefits that both weed and coffee may have on their own. The truth is that while it may be safe for most people, not everyone can use it. This is why.
Coffee and THC both increase the levels of dopamine in our bodies. Dopamine can increase emotions of joy and euphoria, but too much of it at once can cause agitation, anxiety, and paranoia. Additionally, caffeine and THC both raise your heart rate and blood pressure.
How Does Caffeine Affect Your Weed’s Potency?
In order to assess the effects of combining weed and coffee on squirrel monkeys, a study was carried out back in 2014. The Journal of Neuroscience reported the study’s findings.
The ability to self-administer cannabis whenever desired was offered to the monkeys. They simply needed to pull a lever. Low doses of a chemical that is similar to caffeine made the monkeys less inclined to go for the THC. However, they appeared to use that lever more frequently when they were given large amounts of caffeine.
In 2018, a study performed by Marilyn Cornelis from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine appeared to support similar findings. This time, the researchers looked at the effects of combining weed and coffee on individuals. It was discovered that the more caffeine people ingested, the less cannabis their bodies could absorb.
Coffee-Steroid Link: Exploring the Potential Benefits for Health and Disease
Beyond the effects on neurotransmitters, coffee consumption has also been linked to the metabolism of steroids. Dr. Cornelis discovered that certain metabolites associated with steroid excretion increased with coffee consumption. This finding suggests a potential connection between drinking coffee and the elimination of steroid compounds from the body, which could have implications for diseases such as cancer.
As National Coffee Day approaches, it’s worth exploring this power duo. While caffeine and cannabis may seem like an unlikely pairing at first glance, their effects on neurotransmitter systems offer an intriguing synergy. The wake ‘n’ bake combination of coffee and marijuana presents an alternative way to kickstart the day, harnessing the energizing properties of caffeine and the relaxing influence of cannabis.
There are many more new ways of doing morning rituals, but THC-infused coffee holds promise for those seeking a unique and personalized experience.
As cannabis use becomes more accepted, this unlikely duo may grow in popularity as people discover new, balanced morning rituals.
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— Story Filed By 420CanNews Staff
Here’s More Information on the Topic:
What Happens When You Smoke Weed and Drink Coffee?
https://bloommedicinals.com/cannabis-education/what-happens-when-you-smoke-weed-and-drink-coffee/
What Are the Effects and Risks of Mixing Cannabis and Caffeine?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/marijuana-and-caffeine
What Happens When You Mix Caffeine and Marijuana?
https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-and-marijuana
