CBD’offee (CBD & Coffee?)
Caffeine as we all know, is a well-known antioxidant-rich stimulant with both attention-boosting effects and mild cognitive-enhancing abilities. It spikes our energy levels when they’re lying low, and it enables us to focus our attention on what’s in front of us.
It is also reported to be good for your overall heart health and comes with several cardiovascular benefits….in moderation that is.
Coffee is additionally said to help cellular damage caused by either aging or pollution and boost your ability to burn fat. But how does caffeine really work? On a more technical note, caffeine gets its energy boosting qualities by blocking the adenosine receptors in our bodies. This is what causes us to feel sleepy. How this works is this chemical in our brains and bodies widens our blood vessels as well as other things such as keeping a steady heartbeat.
These adenosine levels are at their highest late in the night and early in the morning, which is exactly why a nice cup of coffee works wonders in getting us ‘on-point’ in the mornings.
CBD has many other claims, however it is seen as a polar opposite in many ways.
For example, CBD is said to indirectly boost the adenosine levels in our brains and bodies causing us to feel more relaxed and anxiety-free.
Confused yet as to why this is a good thing?
How do we know that they don’t counteract each other? And if one is working to block the adenosine levels while the other wishes to increase it who wins?
CBD & Caffeine combines
CBD and caffeine both help to reduce free radicals in the body that can lead to disease and cell damage and they are both proud containers of mood-boosting components. Among other things, these aid in boosting our serotonin levels, which are known as our ‘mood enhancers’.
A neuroscientist reported that adenosine acts as a central nervous system sedative. So while caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors, CBD tries to delay the neurons’ ability to ‘re-uptake’ adenosine. So what happens when the two join forces?
Well adding CBD to your morning coffee might actually help you do away with the caffeine jitters that sometimes come with a strong coffee intake. In fact, CBD can help you fight off quite a few of coffee’s side effects on the body which can be nausea, stress, restlessness, insomnia and bowel problems etc.
So basically CBD allows you to take benefit from the positive effects of caffeine and do away with the negative effects.
Stopping coffee and finding another anti-oxidant may be easier, however for some this isn’t an option.
TIPS:
Make sure your brew is sub 70 degrees. CBD loses is effectiveness with prolonged heat exposure, especially at high heats.
Doses under 10mg are not seen to be as effective as those around 10mg and upward.
