Mixing Marijuana: How Cannabis Interacts with Melatonin, Caffeine and Alcohol

Many of us consume a variety of substances to help keep us sane in this crazy life: coffee to wake us up and be productive; alcohol, to celebrate or to relax; and melatonin, one of the most common over-the-counter sleep aids for sleepless nights.

But how do these interactions play out as more and more people use cannabis?

Coffee

According to experts, the majority of Americans consume some type of coffee beverage on a daily basis. That’s millions of people who rely on a cup of coffee every day. And the number of people using marijuana continues to rise.

The euphoric bliss that comes with the combination of coffee and marijuana is unique. Many believe the origins of the combination of coffee and marijuana began in Amsterdam, where the cannabis cafe culture thrived for many decades.

Whether you’re drinking a commercial coffee beverage infused with THC or CBD, or taking a few hits from your vape after your morning coffee, it’s hard to describe why this blend feels so good. The caffeine content in coffee stimulates the central nervous system, preventing you from getting tired and providing a much-needed mental and physical boost of energy. Cannabis can have similar effects in the human body.

Photo by Chad Madden via Unsplash

However, everyone reacts differently to the combination. Some find that consuming CBD with coffee helps moderate a heavy dose of caffeine, while boosting it with THC can increase alertness and energy. A 2013 study suggests that the combination can improve cognitive performance by providing better focus while the user also enjoys the medicinal benefits of cannabis.

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In another study, researchers found that both marijuana and caffeine cause increases in dopamine levels through different mechanisms. The results suggest that this increase in dopamine, when taken at the same time, could be responsible for the increase in feelings of happiness and euphoria.

Both cannabis and caffeine are natural compounds. The combination of the two is generally safe and well tolerated by most people as long as you don’t consume excessive amounts of coffee as it can cause palpitations.

melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that the body naturally produces in response to darkness. It helps regulate the circadian rhythm, the body clock that tells us when it’s time to sleep or wake up.

In the evening, when it is dark, humans have the highest natural melatonin level. This is a signal for us to get ready for bed. However, millions of people struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep. Melatonin is also one of the easiest over-the-counter supplements available to help people sleep.

According to studies, consuming marijuana naturally helps increase melatonin levels. So it’s not surprising that so many rely on marijuana to help them fall asleep and stay asleep. There’s even a market for sleep-specific cannabis products because they work so well against insomnia.

Photo by Lux Graves via Unsplash

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Consuming melatonin and marijuana at the same time can make you extremely sleepy, sleepy, and sedated. This isn’t necessarily dangerous as long as you don’t take too much melatonin (experts recommend between 1 and 5 mg per dose). To date, there are no known dangerous interactions between the two, but it is advisable to proceed with caution.

Individuals who rely on cannabis to fall asleep due to pain or other medical conditions that prevent them from achieving decent eye closure are advised to speak to their doctor if additional sleep aids are needed. Rather than combining the two, which can lead to increased sleepiness upon waking in the morning, you may be better off with a stronger cannabis product or dose without having to mix any substances.

alcohol

Ahhh… alcohol. The most popular legal and addictive drug society has today. There’s nothing wrong with a few glasses of wine or a few bottles of beer at the end of a stressful work week.

Mixing it with cannabis makes relaxing even more enjoyable: the combination of the two can provide a deep calm that will help you forget all the stress. But if you are a heavy drinker, which is usually defined as consuming more than 4 or 5 drinks in two hours, mixing with cannabis is not recommended. According to the World Health Organization, alcohol is responsible for over 200 different diseases. In addition, drinking and driving costs around 10,000 people their lives every year.

Mixing a few glasses of alcohol with a few hits of weed occasionally is generally safe in moderation. However, it’s always safest to mix the two when you’re in the comfort of your own home and don’t have to worry about driving. But getting overly drunk or stoned when you mix the two can be dangerous and even lead to power outages.

Cannabis has also been shown to help reduce the incidence of liver cirrhosis and minimize next-day hangovers. For many people who are experienced cannabis users and know how to drink responsibly, mixing the two substances occasionally should be fine.

When it comes to non-psychoactive CBD, when combined with alcohol, there can be an increase in drowsiness when both are consumed in high doses. If you’re interested in mixing CBD with your glass of wine, it’s always recommended to buy from reputable manufacturers, especially ones that can provide you with a certificate of analysis so you know exactly how much you’re consuming. Always choose a product that is high in CBD and low to no in THC to increase the safety of the experience.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.