Coffee containing cannabidiol (CBD) may offer some benefits, but research is inconclusive. Some people report experiencing more energy and fewer jitters than with a typical cup of coffee.

The purported benefits come from caffeine, CBD, and the antioxidants and other chemicals in coffee.

Several recent studies suggest that coffee, caffeine, or a combination offer health benefits, especially with moderate consumption. Research into the purported benefits of CBD is ongoing and inconclusive.

Read on to learn about CBD coffee, its potential benefits, risks, and more.

Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

The process of making a pour over coffee.Share on Pinterest
Daniel Haug/Getty Images

Cannabis contains several different chemical compounds. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound in cannabis, which means that unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it will not make a person feel high.

CBD currently has FDA approval for use as an antiseizure medication to treat three specific conditions, but it has no other FDA approved medical use. However, ongoing research is assessing other potential benefits, such as anxiety relief and treating arthritis.

CBD coffee manufacturers claim that their product offers the benefits of CBD, as well as the benefits of coffee. Research increasingly suggests that moderate caffeine consumption may offer some health benefits and that chemicals in coffee may have health benefits.

It is important to note that the FDA does not regulate CBD as a medication in supplements, food, and drinks, including coffee. There is no guarantee that adding CBD to coffee offers any specific benefits.

Learn more about CBD in MNT’s dedicated hub here.

The FDA does not regulate most CBD products, including supplements such as CBD in coffee. For this reason, there is no guarantee that these products are safe, effective, or contain the quantities of CBD they claim to.

Additionally, the FDA continues to express concerns about unregulated CBD products.

No scientific evidence specifies the best CBD coffee or how to find the right coffee. However, the following guidelines may help a person make a safe decision:

  • Choose a company with a good reputation.
  • Only buy coffee that lists all ingredients and exact quantities of caffeine, CBD, and other ingredients.
  • Start with a small quantity, and pay close attention to how a person feels after drinking the coffee.

Learn what CBD to buy in our shopper’s guide here.

CBD products, including CBD coffee, do not contain significant quantities of THC. They may contain very small amounts of THC as a byproduct.

In the United States, CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC to be sold legally. This means that legal CBD is unlikely to get a person high, but could theoretically cause a person to fail a drug test for cannabis/THC.

Learn the differences between CBD and THC here.

Anecdotal reports include a wide range of benefits from CBD coffee, such as:

  • more energy
  • a reduction in the adverse effects of coffee, such as feeling jittery
  • weight loss
  • better sleep
  • reduced anxiety

Currently, scientific research supporting the use of CBD coffee stems from the proven benefits of coffee, not CBD. There is no recent, well-controlled research on the benefits of combining the two.

Learn whether caffeine is bad for you here.

Health benefits of coffee

Researchers have debated the health benefits of coffee for decades, but the advice has changed, and not all studies agree on the health benefits or risks of coffee.

Coffee contains antioxidants that may reduce inflammation and mitigate oxidative stress in the body. Additionally, the caffeine in coffee may offer several health benefits, such as improvements in cardiovascular health.

Over the short term, caffeine may improve mood, energy, and concentration.

Research suggests that coffee drinkers have lower rates of type 2 diabetes, certain types of heart disease, and certain types of cancer. While this is promising, research has not yet proven that coffee causes these benefits. Some other shared factors among coffee drinkers, such as being physically active, might explain the phenomenon.

Learn more about whether coffee is good for you here.

Health benefits of CBD

Several ongoing clinical trials are investigating CBD for use in treating anxiety, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other diseases.

According to a 2022 study, CBD can relieve pain, improve sleep, and regulate mood disturbance in people with musculoskeletal pain. However, the authors note that clinical evidence is lacking, and experts have not established clear dosage guidelines.

Research into CBD beyond epilepsy is both ongoing and inconclusive.

A 2018 systematic review looked at the potential benefits of CBD for noncancer chronic pain and found evidence supporting a small benefit. This means CBD may help to reduce chronic pain.

However, there is no evidence that CBD coffee offers similar benefits. As research continues, researchers may uncover evidence to support anecdotal claims of CBD’s benefits.

Learn more about CBD for cancer here.

The FDA suggests up to 400 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day, or about 4–5 cups of coffee, is usually a safe level of consumption.

There is no U.S. established safe consumption level of CBD when used in food or beverages. Its use in supplements, coffee, and other products is mostly unregulated. Therefore, the main risks and side effects of CBD coffee come from the fact that the FDA does not regulate this product.

For example, if a brand of CBD coffee does not contain the listed quantity of CBD, a person will not know how much they are consuming.

Some potential side effects include:

  • sleepiness
  • confusion
  • liver health issues
  • allergic reactions
  • interactions with other drugs

Although there are no absolute contraindications to using it, coffee is not safe for everyone. Caffeine can worsen some conditions, including:

Learn about CBD tea here.

CBD coffee is generally safe to try, but the effects vary from person to person. People interested in trying this product should first talk with a qualified healthcare professional, especially if they have preexisting health conditions or regularly take medication.

CBD can have similar effects to other medications, so it is important to monitor for side effects and drug interactions.