Mixing weed and caffeine is a popular choice for many people, with some interesting results. There is a lot to be said about mixing cannabis and energy drinks or other caffeinated beverages, especially since many companies now produce products that include both. Before cannabis became mainstream, cannabis enthusiasts would come up with creative ways to combine cannabis oil and coffee. Is this safe?
Marijuana and its Effects
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a cannabinoid that’s derived form the cannabis plant. There are many types. There are 113 cannabinoids in cannabis, including tetrahydrocannabinol, and 120 terpenes. These can have a variety of psychological and physiological effects.
The two main types of properties that most people are familiar with are the psychoactive cannabinoid THC (delta9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD). CBD, which is the main component of marijuana, is responsible for relaxing effects. THC, on the other hand, is responsible for side effects such as anxiety, euphoria and hallucinations.
THC is what makes marijuana so addictive. It stimulates the brain’s part that responds to pleasure activities like eating and sex. THC triggers the release a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger), called dopamine. This chemical messenger is associated with mood, pleasure, reward and motivation.
You can smoke dried cannabis leaves or make tea from them. You can also smoke electronic cigarettes with vape pens or dabs.
Related reading:
- Long Term Cognitive Effects of Marijuana Use
- Fact or Fiction: Marijuana Kills Brain Cells
- Mixing Weed & Antidepressants
Caffeine and its Effects
Caffeine, a natural stimulant of the central nervous system (CNS), is known to prevent drowsiness by blocking the action on receptors of adenosine. It also increases energy and decreases drowsiness. You can find caffeine in many substances such as coffee beans, tea leaves and kola nuts.
Synthetic caffeine can also be used in medicine, food, and beverages. Synthetic caffeine is found in many pain relievers, cold medications, and other over-the-counter energy-boosting medicines.
Red Bull and Bang, , as well as energy drinks such as Red Bull and , as well as snacking gums and energy-boosting gums, contain synthetic caffeine. The caffeine content of different drinks can vary, with some beverages containing as much as 200 mg (mg).
Caffeine can have side effects that may include:
- Increased energy
- Diminished drowsiness, sleepiness
- Urination
- Heartburn
- Calcium absorption is inhibited
- An increase in blood pressure
A caffeine overload can be identified by:
- Restlessness
- Shakiness and jitteriness
- Trouble sleeping or insomnia
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Rapid heart rate
- Dehydration
- Anxiety
- Dependency is the need to take more to achieve the same effects, or to avoid side effects like headaches.
What Happens When You Mix Weed and Caffeine?
Although both marijuana and caffeine have their side effects, how do you combine them? Many people consume marijuana and caffeine, which are both popular compounds.
Older studies have shown that THC in cannabis can negatively impact short-term memory in rats. However, caffeine has been shown to increase short-term memories. Preclinical studies also examined the effects of caffeine and cannabis on rats.
Combining low doses with caffeine and marijuana produced memory deficits comparable to those experienced by rats who were given high doses. THC-induced memory deficits were also not reversed by caffeine. 1
Because caffeine is a stimulant, and cannabis can cause stimulation or inhibition, individual effects may differ. People have reported anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and other unpleasant side effects from marijuana use. The combined effects of caffeine and cannabis products such as coffee can cause unpredictable results.
However, caffeine and marijuana can have side effects based on individual effects.
- Heart rate increases
- Headache
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- High blood pressure
- Confusion or disorientation
- Impaired judgment
- Upset stomach
Although more research is needed on the effects of the combination, researchers also suggest that THC and caffeine can cause side effects. This could be due to the interaction between adenosine (the place where cannabis and caffeine act in the body) and the cannabinoid system (the place where they interact with each other). 2
The interaction of the two substances could occur in the hippocampus. This is the area of the brain that houses receptors for the cannabinoid and adenosine systems. The brain’s hippocampus plays an important role in memory and learning. 2
Combining cannabis with caffeine may cause cognitive impairment. This mechanism could explain the potential dangers of cannabis-caffeine combination, but further research is needed to confirm it.
Help for Cannabis Addiction
Both caffeine and marijuana seem to have different effects on memory. The former can cause more damage than the latter. The combination of marijuana and caffeine can have unpredictable side effects.
Long-term marijuana use can lead to addiction and other serious health problems. While cannabis isn’t addictive like stimulants or opioids, it can make a person dependent on the drug for their emotional and physical support. They may eventually become unable to function well or happily without it.
Synthetic weed is also becoming more popular due to drug dealers’ creative production methods. Many drugs, including marijuana, sold on the streets are often laced in other toxic chemicals that can increase the chance of side effects such as overdose or even death.
Now is the right time to seek help if you or someone you care about is addicted to marijuana or any other drug or alcohol. Our Florida and New Jersey addiction treatment centers provides comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment that can help clients recover mentally and physically.
For more information on our services, call All In Solutions Treatment Centers at 855-762-3796.
Sources:
- National Library of Medicine – Combined effects of THC/Caffeine on Working Memory in Rats
- ResearchGate – Caffeine and Adenosine Modulation of Cannabinoid Influence on Cognitive Function
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