What our morning routines include varies from person to person. Some like to work out in the morning, others prefer to catch up on the news, or prepare breakfast. The one thing many of us have in common? A morning cup of coffee.

It’s hard to mess with routine! People tend to like routine. Personally, I cherish the auto-timer on my coffee maker, starting that warm, smoky drip of freshly ground Colombian Dark Roast, precisely at 6:45AM, every morning.

When did we come into this whole new concept of routines as a way to improve ourselves? New additions regularly appear: protein coffees to help us get a good kick of protein before we are even fully awake or, the more recently trending habit of adding CBD to coffee.

But does this work? Why do people do it? What do they get out of it?

All good questions you should certainly ask.

So, let’s break it down.

Wait, they’re putting what in their coffee?

If you haven’t heard of CBD or seen billboards, commercials, advertisements, postings, etc., about CBD oils, tinctures, salves, or vapors, you almost certainly will soon. Talk of CBD seems to be everywhere right now.

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a compound extracted from the hemp plant. For clarity: CBD and hemp are NOT the same as THC and marijuana.

THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is a psychoactive compound found in marijuana plants that creates a euphoric high in those who use it. Cannabidiol (CBD) does not have any psychoactive properties. It does not affect the chemistry of the brain.

No one is getting high off of CBD in coffee. It’s not possible.

So, what is the attraction?

CBD oil has achieved significant notoriety within the last few years for its profoundly positive effects on the human body. Some take it regularly, others take it only episodically. Its potential to aid opioid addiction has also been identified. It is not only a non-addictive substance that can potentially curb anxiety-induced opioid cravings, but it has also shown significant promise in easing inflammation and pain in the body. Inflammation and pain are often the reason why so many individuals end up taking opioids in the first place. What if we were able to replace those addictive substances?

Especially when we consider that while coffee is just the kick many of us need to give us an edge on the day, CBD might also be good. Many of us drink coffee because it can give us the energy to really get moving and handle the day. But what about those jitters, that nervous stomach, the touch of anxiety, the headaches, and all the other little symptoms and side effects of drinking coffee?

CBD has the potential to help level some of those. Smaller doses can provide a needed touch of balance and stability, to accompany the kick of caffeine energy so many of us crave.

Does it work?

Taking CBD with your coffee is similar to adjusting to taking CBD as a dropper or tincture- it takes some finagling to figure out the perfect dose for you.

Although many experts have come to an agreement of sorts on a general standard (25mg of CBD taken twice a day), they have also agreed that there is no one size fits all solution.

Every human body is different and will react to the chemical differently, depending on weight and height, method of consumption, the strength of the oil, the size of the dose, the need for taking it, and so on and so forth.

The safest method is to start small and increase in small doses until an ideal quantity is found for you. It is safe, as long as you follow instructions and monitor doses. This really is not rocket science.

What are the benefits of a CBD cup of coffee?

People like to take CBD with their coffee for a few different reasons. For starters, it can help alleviate the stomach aches or nervousness often associated with caffeinated beverages. Caffeine can be strong; it can cause jitters and put us on edge, when all we really want is to feel awake and alert. CBD can help provide a hint of soothing smoothness to that cup of coffee.

It can also be subtly and naturally integrated into daily routine. Not everyone likes having to remember to reach over and grasp the small vial of oil in the morning and then again in the evening.

We’re more likely to remember to grab a cup of coffee on the way out the door; which is why adding a dropperful of CBD is an almost perfect method. Integrating new routines into our old routines helps the new habits stick.

Ingesting CBD can bring about more prolonged effects, when compared to inhalants, as a method of consumption. Although inhalants can be mighty quick to enter the body, they can be just as quick to exit.

When CBD is consumed through the mouth and into the digestive system, it takes longer for the oil to be absorbed into the stomach, intestines, and so forth. It also takes longer to leave and allows the oil to work more profoundly on healing the body.

The longer it remains in your body, the longer it will work on healing, fixing, and mending you.

Can I get in trouble for adding CBD to my coffee?

With the passing of the Farm Law of 2018, it became legal at the federal level, for farms to grow hemp to produce CBD oil.

However, it still isn’t federally legal to sell CBD infused food or drinks. This does not mean you cannot add CBD to your own coffee. You simply should not buy a drink that comes with CBD already in it.

Alright, I’m caving- so how do I figure out how it works for me?

Start off by finding the right seller. This is not always easy. If it sounds cheap, it probably is. Good CBD oil with a strong potency is going to cost more. A corner liquor market might not be the ideal place to start. Find a facility that specializes in hemp, either online or in your local area.

Ask questions. Common sense should tell you that a seller who wants to give you as much information as possible is far more reliable than a clerk who simply tells you to read the label. How much should I take? How strong is the concentration? What effects might I experience? What is the THC level?

You should even ask questions to which you already know the answer: Is it legal? Is it the same as marijuana? Should I take it for anxiety? See what they say. If they’re in tune with the knowledge you already have, that’s a good sign.

Many standard bottles come in about a 25mg CBD concentration; most industry professionals will recommend one dropper, twice a day.

Pick a Sunday or Saturday, or a non-work day if you have a more traditional schedule. Start small, put about half a dropper into your coffee, then go about your day as normal. See how it felt. If you didn’t feel anything, up the dose to ¾ of a dropper, then one full dropper.

Avoid going too high, because too much of anything isn’t going to be ideal. Remember that CBD oil is not going to be some strong kick in the pants. It’s subtle, but good. Take mental notes of how it seems to affect you, decide whether it’s what you’re looking for, and be proud of yourself for taking the time, performing the research, and finding yourself among those seeking the best way to start the day.

By Kyro CBD

Written By Marina Turea