What Happens When You Mix Caffeine and Cannabis?

Some studies indicate that using caffeine together with cannabis could produce effects that differ from taking either substance on its own. There may also be potential hazards to consider.

Some commercial products already pair caffeine with two primary cannabis constituents, CBD and THC.

Before combining them, it’s important to know how caffeine and cannabis might interact, what effects mixing them can produce, and what risks could arise.

Continue reading to find out more about possible interactions between caffeine and cannabis and the side effects and dangers of using them together.

Do caffeine and cannabis cancel one another out?

Investigation into how caffeine and cannabis interact is still limited. Nevertheless, taking the two simultaneously may lead to effects that are distinct from using them separately.

Caffeine typically functions as a stimulant, whereas cannabis can act as either a stimulant or a depressant. In practice, caffeine tends to make most people feel more energized, while the effects of cannabis vary and many users report feeling more relaxed.

It might therefore seem plausible that caffeine could neutralize cannabis’s effects, or vice versa — for instance, that a bit of cannabis might reduce coffee-induced jitters.

However, to date there is no evidence showing that the two substances directly negate each other.

»Learn more:The Effects of Cannabis on the Body

What happens when you mix caffeine and cannabis?

Although no proof confirms that cannabis and caffeine cancel one another out, a small study examined the combined influence of caffeine and cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis compound, on participants’ subjective feelings.

About 2 hours and 20 minutes after consuming caffeine and CBD, study participants did not report any notable shifts in how they felt.

An altered ‘high’

One study evaluated squirrel monkeys that were given THC, the cannabis component responsible for the psychoactive “high.” The animals could self-administer additional doses of THC.

Researchers then administered varying amounts of MSX-3, a compound that produces effects similar to caffeine. When the monkeys received low doses of MSX-3, they self-administered less THC. In contrast, higher doses of MSX-3 led them to take more THC.

These findings imply that low levels of caffeine might enhance the high and reduce cannabis intake, while larger amounts of caffeine could have the opposite impact, prompting greater cannabis use.

More research is needed, as this small experiment was performed only in animals.

Effects on memory

Caffeine makes many people feel more awake. Some people drink coffee, tea, or energy beverages each morning to rouse themselves or to boost focus when they feel tired or distracted.

Some research also suggests caffeine can aid working memory. Cannabis, conversely, is known to impair memory.

A study on rats investigated how combining caffeine with THC influenced memory. The findings indicated that mixing caffeine with a low dose of THC appeared to impair working memory more than a higher THC dose alone.

Because this research involved rats, it’s uncertain how directly these outcomes apply to humans. Still, the results hint that caffeine might amplify THC’s effects.

Are there immediate dangers to combining caffeine and cannabis?

So far, there have been no documented cases of severe or life-threatening effects specifically resulting from mixing caffeine and cannabis. That said, it doesn’t rule out the possibility that risks exist.

Individuals can react differently to both caffeine and cannabis. If you consider combining them, first understand how your body responds to each substance independently. If you are sensitive to cannabis, for example, pairing it with caffeine could produce an uncomfortably intense high.

If you choose to use cannabis and caffeine together, follow these precautions to reduce the chance of an adverse reaction:

• Start small: Use smaller amounts of each than you normally would on their own.
• Move slowly: Allow plenty of time for the combination to take effect before consuming more of either substance.
• Monitor intake: It’s easy to lose track of how much caffeine or cannabis you’ve consumed, especially when mixing them. Keep tabs on your amounts.

Very large doses of caffeine can cause serious effects such as seizures, dangerously high blood pressure, and fast heart rate. Fatalities have occurred from consuming excessive quantities of caffeine.

Most importantly, pay attention to how your body and mind respond. If you notice unusual symptoms after mixing caffeine and cannabis, seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Could there be long-term consequences of using cannabis and caffeine together?

It’s uncertain whether combining caffeine and cannabis produces long-term effects. However, if caffeine lessens cannabis’s perceived effects for some people, that could prompt increased cannabis consumption.

Repeatedly using larger amounts of cannabis over time can raise the risk of developing a substance use disorder.

Watch for signs of a substance use disorder, such as:

• needing more cannabis to achieve the same effect (tolerance)
• continuing to use cannabis despite negative effects or a desire to stop
• spending a great deal of time thinking about or obtaining cannabis
• prioritizing maintaining a steady supply of cannabis
• missing work, school, or important events because of cannabis use

Bottom line

Experts haven’t yet fully determined how caffeine and cannabis interact in people. Effects likely differ among individuals, and your personal sensitivity and tolerance to each substance will influence how they combine.

Because current research suggests caffeine may intensify a cannabis high for some users, it’s wise to be cautious when using them together until you know how they affect you.