It's taken a while. But, CBD has become part of the common conversation. New mothers talk about. Senior citizens want to try it. Parents with children afflicted with neural conditions beg for it. People you would not connect with weed, ganja, or pot are looking for its reputed benefits in CBD-infused coffee.

Cannabidiol (CBD) long took second place to the THC that produces the psychoactive experience. But, as cannabis legalization expands from state to state, the conversation has changed for several reasons:

There are the genuine, research-documented medicinal benefits of CBD.

There is the centuries-long anecdotal history support for its positive effects

There is a push by cannabis advocates that blurs the definition of proven and rumored benefits.

With opinions often cherry-picking the research and anecdotes, it’s sometimes difficult to discern the values. Take the discussion over cannabis CBD and coffee.

What does CBD do?

The biochemical mechanism of action has not been determined. Unlike THC, CBD does not bind with neurotransmitter receptors to excite or normalize transmission.

CBD apparently end runs other aspects of the human Endocannabinoid System (ECS). It appears to influence hormone deployment and reduce the reuptake of anandamide keeping more of this “bliss molecule” in the system.

Whatever the mechanism of action, CBD:

Reduces anxiety

Reduces involuntary muscular tremors and spasms

Improves sleep

Reduces chronic pain

Increases neuroprotective properties

CBD does not cure anything, but research is interested in its possible role in Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and cancer metastasis. It may treat symptoms related to these conditions, but it is misleading to think it has curative properties.

5 reasons you should try cannabis CBD and coffee:

With this explanation in place, you may want to consider enjoying your coffee with CBD or even matching quality coffees with different CBD-derivatives.

1. Reduces caffeine jitters. Caffeine produces jitters in coffee drinkers. Even regular coffee drinkers will admit their nerves take a hit when they have had too much. And, of course, they would not switch to decaf.

CBD has proven anxiolytic properties reducing general anxiety, social anxiety, and caffeine excess. Caffeine blocks your system from the sedative effects of adenosine, the neurotransmitter that tells your body to sleep. Conversely, CBD increases the flow of adenosine to help with sleep. In theory, then, caffeine and CBD cancel each other out.

2. Doubles antioxidant powers. Antioxidants reduce oxidation, the normal chemical process that creates unstable and damaging molecules. Antioxidants protect the body’s cells and DNA from the damage. This action improves cellular regeneration and reduces aging.

Now, there are many nutritional ways of consuming and increasing your antioxidant benefits by improving your diet and your intake of helpful vitamins. But, both caffeine and CBD have antioxidant properties which could justify your pairing their intake.

3. Cut your bets. Since CBD has energizing benefits, it can reduce your coffee consumption. If CBD can produce the felt perception of well-being and comfort, then you don’t need so much coffee.

CBD alters mood because of its influence on the flow of serotonin. And, improving energy and mood is the most prominent justification for increased caffeine consumption. However, this is a question of finding balance if coffee consumption puts your health at risk.

4. Ingested control. Because ingested CBD works slower than smoked CBD, you can conscientiously moderate your intake of CBD-infused coffee finding the balance that’s right for you throughout the day.

You also can prepare hot or cold CBD drinks with decaf coffee to master your caffeine consumption.

5. Socially acceptable. There’s little scandal in taking your CBD in your coffee. It beats the stigma of smoking cannabis in public. You can carry a thermos full or a cooler with cold coffee drinks without much notice.

5 cannabis coffees you might want to try:

1. Willie’s Remedy. American music icon Willie Nelson has his own line of CBD-infused coffee. His whole bean coffee will deliver a 5mg dose of CBD in every eight-ounce cup. Willie’s branding also labels other products that include THC-infused properties.

2. Green Roads Gourmet. Green Roads’ offers an African-based and bold coffee in broad spectrum CBD. It contains coffee grounds from beans soaked in pharmaceutical-grade CBD. Each of the 16 servings in your 8-ounce bag contains 10.5 grams of CBD.

3. SteepFuze. Hemp-derived CBD products are readily available online. SteepFuze offers a variety of Ethiopian-originated coffees in grinds or whole beans with 360-grams of CBD per 12mg bag.

4. Peace and Wellness Focus. Strava Craft Coffee offers this hemp-derived CBD coffee with a much lighter dosage at 30mg per 12-ounce whole bean bag. They emphasize their CBD oil is rich in amino acids, vitamins B1, B2, and D, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, minerals zinc, calcium, and magnesium.

5. Pot-O-Gold: Using award-winning PureCBD™ Gold Label by CannaWest, Pot-O-Gold comes in pods for your coffeemaker. It’s a non-GMO, pesticide-free, Arabica blend.

Here’s my personal takeaway

Personally speaking, I enjoy a cup of well-brewed black coffee in the morning and occasionally with cream after a fine dinner. I love Cuban, Columbian, Arabica, and Ethiopian coffees, and many years ago I spent $75 for a demitasse of Louisiana coffee with chicory at Arnaud’s in New Orleans. But, I can’t abide the trends that add artificial flavors. Who needs pumpkin spiced brew?

I like my beer, even craft beers on the amber side. But, I cannot accept the current drive to infuse beers with raspberry, strawberry, jalapeno, and other flavors. I am a guy who likes his potato chips kettle-cooked without flavors coated on.

So, despite some medical problems and given the fact that caffeine and CBD are self-contradictory, I am not inclined to mess with my coffee.