- Few studies have explored the relationship between cannabis and caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the body, while cannabis (in many cases) sedates you, though some types can act similarly to stimulants.
- When combined, caffeine may enhance the psychoactive and memory-impairing effects of cannabis, essentially lowering your weed tolerance. Some people enjoy these results, but others experience heightened anxiety and unpleasant side effects. If you’re interested in lowering your weed tolerance to save money at the dispensaries, you can also try taking tolerance breaks or using low-THC products.
Wondering if you can safely take your full-spectrum CBD gummy with your morning cup of joe or smoke a joint while sipping some caffeinated cola? Many other medical cannabis patients have asked the same questions.
Cannabis and caffeine make a mysterious mixture: Few studies have explored their combined effects. Your experiences may also differ from others based on the types and amounts of each substance you consume as well as your sensitivity levels to both.
Generally, mixing cannabis and caffeine won’t cause much concern, but it can potentially lower your THC tolerance and increase the probability of adverse side effects. Learn more about the unique cannabis-caffeine buzz with insights and advice from TeleLeaf.
The Individual Effects of Cannabis and Caffeine
Before discussing the potential impact of mixing cannabis and caffeine, let’s take a closer look at what each substance does when you consume it on its own.
How Caffeine Affects You
Caffeine belongs to a group of drugs known as stimulants. And yes, caffeine is a drug—it’s the most widely used drug in the world.
A majority of people start their day with a caffeinated beverage like coffee because it makes you feel more awake and focused. Caffeine jumpstarts your mind and body by increasing activity in the brain and nervous system. Its effects kick in quickly—in as little as 5 to 30 minutes after consumption—and last long—for some people, up to 12 hours.
Most doctors and health organizations recommend adults keep their caffeine consumption under 400 mg a day.
If you exceed that, you may experience some unpleasant side effects, such as:
- Muscle tremors or “jitters”
- High heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature
- Headaches
- Sleeplessness
- Anxiety and irritability
- Dehydration
- Frequent urge to urinate
Chronic caffeine consumption can lead you to develop caffeine tolerance and dependence. While you can shake caffeine dependence after a week or so, you may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms including fatigue, headaches, and anxiety.
Caffeine Content of Different Drinks
The strength of caffeine’s effects depends on how much you consume. Not all caffeinated drinks contain the same amount, and some product labels can be misleading.
Here is the average caffeine content for some of the most popular energy-boosting beverages (per 8 ounces):
- Teas – Not all teas contain the same amount of caffeine; black tea typically has 47 mg while green tea has about 28 mg.
- Coffee – Most 8-ounce coffees will contain about 96 mg of caffeine. More concentrated forms, however, contain much more caffeine in a smaller volume. A one-ounce shot of espresso, for example, usually contains 64 mg of caffeine.
- Sodas – Not all sodas are caffeinated; citrus sodas and root beers typically aren’t. Cola drinks often contain smaller amounts of caffeine, about 22 mg in an 8-ounce serving.
- Energy drinks – These types of drinks vary most widely in caffeine content since each product is unique. Some may contain around 72 mg. Energy shots (highly concentrated doses of caffeine) can contain much more, anywhere from 215 mg to 400 mg or higher.
Also, note that “decaf” (decaffeinated) drinks may still contain small amounts of caffeine.
How Cannabis Affects You
Cannabis produces its effects by interacting with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates important internal functions such as:
- Pain
- Sleep
- Memory
- Mood
- Appetite
The cannabinoids present in cannabis, which mimic your body’s built-in endocannabinoids, bind to receptors spread throughout the brain and body to trigger certain responses.
For example, cannabis can:
- Relieve chronic pain
- Promote sleep
- Uplift mood
- Produce a euphoric “high” (if the cannabis product contains THC)
- Regulate inflammatory and immune system responses
You can’t describe cannabis with a single word like you can with caffeine. The name “cannabis” encompasses hundreds of strains and products that all produce unique therapeutic effects.
Most cannabis products act as depressants, meaning they help you relax; but several types of cannabis can produce stimulating effects similar to caffeine.
For example:
Overdosing on cannabis is rare, and no one has ever died from a cannabis overdose. That said, it’s possible to “green out”—consume more cannabis than your tolerance can handle. If you green out, you may experience adverse side effects such as nausea or anxiety.
As with caffeine, you can also develop a high tolerance to weed (meaning you’ll need to use more over time to achieve consistent results). To remedy this, many cannabis users take periodic tolerance breaks, or T-breaks, to maintain a practical and effective weed tolerance.
Mixing Cannabis and Caffeine: Do They Cancel Out?
Caffeine stimulates the mind and body; cannabis (generally) relaxes them. Would taking both together simply level you out to a normal state of energy?
Some researchers have tried to answer this question, but currently, no one can draw any conclusive answers. They do have a few theories, though.
Here are some potential general outcomes of a cannabis-caffeine combo:
- Caffeine could possibly amplify the effects of cannabis, meaning you can achieve your usual results by taking less.
- Using greater amounts of caffeine could have the opposite effect, however; it may encourage you to use more cannabis than usual.
- Caffeine may also increase the potential memory-impairing effects of cannabis.
Clinical studies can only tell you so much about the lived experiences of real users; much of the information above comes from animal studies, not humans.
To supplement these gaps, listen to what many real people have to say about combining cannabis and caffeine:
- Some users who mix cannabis and caffeine describe a “synergistic” effect: the cannabis mellows you out while the caffeine prevents any potential drowsiness the cannabis might cause.
- For others, though, the combination leads to heightened anxiety and overstimulation, side effects that both substances can cause individually in large enough doses.
Even with research and firsthand accounts, you won’t know exactly what to expect the first time you mix cannabis and caffeine.
Your experience will depend on a variety of factors; before mixing cannabis and caffeine, consider:
- The type of cannabis you plan to consume
- The caffeine content of your preferred drink
- Your sensitivity levels to both substances
- How much of each substance you plan to consume
Potential Benefits and Risks of Low Cannabis Tolerance
Caffeine may lower your weed tolerance; having a lower tolerance to cannabis means that you don’t have to consume much to achieve a strong high.
This can have both advantages and disadvantages for some users:
- Use less, buy less – Having a lower tolerance can save you money at the cannabis dispensaries. You won’t have to buy as much product because you won’t use as much.
- Higher risk of adverse side effects – A low tolerance makes it easier to consume more cannabis than you can handle. It may be even harder to predict potential outcomes when using caffeine to lower your weed tolerance.
Instead of mixing caffeine and cannabis to help lower your tolerance, try these effective alternatives:
- Take a T-break
- Use high-CBD, low-THC products to reset your tolerance
- Tightly monitor your cannabis doses and treatment schedule
TeleLeaf: Medical Marijuana Made Simple
Overall, cannabis and caffeine together may benefit some users, but not all. For more personalized guidance, speak to a licensed medical marijuana clinician; they can help you predict how your body will react to cannabis and other substances.
You can find a medical marijuana physician who truly gets you with TeleLeaf.
Sign up for your same-day appointment and we’ll do the hard work for you. With TeleLeaf, you can virtually connect with one of the best medical marijuana healthcare providers in your state, all from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
Obtain your medical marijuana recommendation, renew your medical card, and receive individualized advice about the best cannabis products and dosages for your healing journey. Get started today.
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https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/caffeine
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https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/caffeine
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https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372
Healthline. “A Simple Guide to the Endocannabinoid System.”
https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system
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https://www.healthline.com/health/effects-of-cannabis-on-body
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https://www.healthline.com/
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https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
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https://www.healthline.com/health/caffeine-and-marijuana
Dr. Chance Miller 
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