CBD Coffee: Does it Work?

Updated May 27, 2022

There's no denying CBD has become a cultural phenomenon over the past few years, and it makes sense. CBD has many benefits and is incredibly versatile in both function and application. There's a reason why the U.S. legal market for CBD is expected to be worth as much as $47.22 billion by only 2028. New CBD products are hitting the shelves every day, ranging from CBD pillows to infused dog products. If you want something with CBD, there's a good chance you can find it. However, CBD coffee has us most intrigued out of all the products out there. It's been picking up momentum and is quickly growing into one of the industry's most popular facets.

And when you look at it, it makes a lot of sense. After all, when you dig into the numbers, it's no wonder why CBD-infused coffee is raising many eyebrows. The average American drinks between 2 to 4 cups of coffee every day. Last year alone, Americans consumed an estimated 3.3 billion pounds of coffee. So, to put it mildly, combining CBD and coffee is a match made in heaven. 

We here at Where's Weed wanted to go in-depth on precisely what CBD coffee is, how brands make it, its effects on those who drink it, and which brands we recommend our readers give a try. After all, we're all about connecting our readers with cannabis-related resources at Where's Weed. It's pretty much what we do best!  

What is CBD?

You may be wondering... what CBD is in the first place? What are its medicinal benefits? Does CBD help with anxiety? How does CBD oil make you feel? Is CBD safe? Can I easily find CBD near me? Let's begin with the basics before we move onto the ins and outs of CBD coffee.

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a cannabinoid found in both marijuana and hemp plants. Unlike THC, CBD oil is extracted from the hemp plant and used for its non-psychoactive properties that include a wide range of therapeutic medical benefits. Among other things, people most commonly use CBD oil for anxiety, depression, insomnia, inflation, and even more serious conditions such as epilepsy. Please note that we highly advise seeing a medical professional before you use CBD for medicinal purposes, especially if it's for a serious condition (similarly, consult a veterinarian before using CBD on your dog). It should also be noted, however, that CBD has so far been proven to be very safe. Small side effects such as nausea and fatigue have been noted, but they are fairly uncommon.

Is CBD Legal?

Yes, it is! Since the 2018 Farm Bill passage, CBD has been federally legal as long as it's derived from hemp and has less than 0.3 percent THC. However, while CBD may now be legal in every state, most products being distributed aren't FDA approved. That means that no governing body or organization is verifying that the CBD in these products is pure or that there's CBD in them at all! We suggest using well-known brands that have been proven effective and checking to see if a product has been third-party tested.

What is CBD Coffee?

So now that we've gotten the basics of CBD out of the way let's break down exactly what CBD coffee is and what it does for those who use it. CBD coffee is simply coffee infused with CBD oil. Because of coffee's popularity and accessibility, the infusion is an easy way to add CBD to your daily routine and gain the benefits of both CBD  and caffeine. Generally, brands dose CBD coffee at 5 to 10 mg per serving, but some companies make 20 mg servings (like the popular brand, Strava).

According to Strava's co-founder, Kevin Crowley, "roasting CBD coffee is a delicate process." For CBD to retain its desired benefits, you must add the oil after the coffee beans roast. The natural oils from freshly roasted coffee help the CBD oil seamlessly adhere to the beans. Once ground and prepared, the CBD and caffeine are both introduced seamlessly. Because of this, you can use CBD-infused coffee just like regular coffee - you can have a cup of joe, cold brew, espresso, or even a latte or cappuccino.

CBD Coffee Brands

One of our favorite CBD coffee brands is Strava Craft Coffee, based in Denver. Their coffee is available online, and they offer light, medium, and dark roasts with either 10 or 20 mg of CBD per serving. Additionally, they offer CBD coffee pods for both Keurig and Nespresso. Another one of our favorites is CBD Infusionz. Their products have all been third-party tested and are both gluten and animal-testing free.

Recently, more and more companies have been hitting the CBD coffee market. Fortunately, there's still a lot to try for now, and there are also plenty of other types of CBD drinks on the market, ranging from CBD tea to seltzer waters. While it won't offer the same benefits as CBD coffee, a CBD-infused seltzer (like Recess) still provides a refreshing way to add CBD to your day.

Side Effects of CBD Coffee

First and foremost, we must address that there aren't many studies covering the effects of CBD and caffeine. The few studies that have been conducted show mixed results that depend on dosage and individual preference. The biggest downside of CBD coffee is dosing. Because it's combined with caffeine, CBD coffee will affect each user differently. Because the effects and intensity are different for everyone, make sure you begin with smaller doses.

Especially if you're not used to drinking caffeine, CBD coffee can cause you to feel overly anxious; but if you aren't used to CBD, it can cause you to feel more lethargic than you'd want midday. There's also a slight chance you might feel nauseous, but that's generally a small risk. Furthermore, as we said before, please check with a medical professional if you're using CBD as a medical supplement or if you're taking other medications.

Benefits of CBD Coffee

Like other CBD products, infused coffee boasts an array of medical benefits. CBD is a stimulant that decreases anxiety and specific pains and aches in smaller doses. On the other hand, caffeine is a stimulant that causes alertness and jitters in higher doses. Combining the two has been found to cause alertness while decreasing the intensity of caffeine-related jitters and natural anxiety. However, the overall consensus is that opinions vary widely from person to person. While we're big fans, it might not be suitable for you - the only way to find out is to give it a try!

Check out our blog for more information on CBD and other cannabis products. We're all about keeping the community informed and the best products available, so please comment below if you have other CBD coffee brands you prefer.