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May 18, 2025

Cannabis, Alcohol, and Caffeine - How Do They Interact?

Home > Blog > Cannabis, Alcohol, and Caffeine - How Do They Interact?

Caffeine, THC, and ethanol are likely the most common psychoactive compounds you encounter daily. Maybe you start your day with a cup of coffee, unwind after work with cannabis, or have the occasional drink during happy hour.

On their own, each of these offers a unique and often pleasant experience when consumed in moderation. But what happens if you combine two or maybe all three of them?

That's precisely what we're going to cover in this article. Here, we'll dive deeply into the science of how cannabis, caffeine, and alcohol work individually, how they interact, and, most importantly, what that could mean for you.

How Does THC Work?

Basic Rundown

THC (derived from cannabis) mimics a natural molecule used by your body to regulate memory, appetite, and emotions. It can influence receptors in the brain to deliver psychoactive effects such as euphoria or relaxation.

Technical Rundown

Within the human body is a network of chemical messengers and receptors called the "Endocannabinoid System," or "ECS" for short. Researchers first discovered the ECS only recently while trying to figure out how tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive constituent of cannabis, "worked."

Unlike other systems, which are concentrated in a few organs, the receptors and messengers of the ECS are located virtually everywhere in and even outside the body (i.e., the skin). This is because the endocannabinoid system's role is to maintain homeostasis by regulating critical functions such as:

Sleep
Temperature control
Inflammatory responses
Immune responses
Appetite

And much more. Your body naturally produces compounds called endocannabinoids to carry out this job. Named after the Sanskrit word for "bliss," anandamide is one such endocannabinoid with a striking structural similarity to THC.

So, when you consume THC, it can bind to the receptors anandamide typically would, mostly concentrated in the brain, and as it does so, it elicits various effects: increased appetite, sleepiness, and even heightened senses.

How Does Caffeine Work?

Basic Rundown

Caffeine blocks the effects of a chemical produced in your body that makes you sleepy, while also increasing the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which can lead to increased alertness, energy, and focus.

Technical Rundown

Adenosine is an "inhibitory neurotransmitter," a chemical messenger between nerve cells (neurons) that blocks signals. It acts as a nervous system depressant that helps us unwind, and throughout the day, adenosine levels in the brain rise by the hour.

When you consume caffeine (whether it be in the form of tea or coffee), the compound acts as a nervous system stimulant: it binds to adenosine receptors, thus blocking adenosine's ability to slow down brain activity. Caffeine also increases nerve activity and triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and even adrenaline, leaving the consumer feeling more alert and energetic.

How Does Alcohol Work?

Basic Rundown

Alcohol (ethanol) essentially slows down brain activity, hence it's known as a depressant.

Technical Rundown

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter whose primary role in the brain is to "calm down" the nerves firing off in the central nervous system. High levels of GABA are associated with relaxation, while low levels are associated with increased anxiety. GABA also plays a critical role in motor control and vision.

Ethanol mimics GABA's effect on the brain, binding to GABA receptors and inhibiting neural signaling. When neural signaling is suppressed, the result can feel like a warm sense of calm or reduced social inhibition, often why people feel more relaxed or talkative after a drink. However, that same inhibition can slow reaction times, impair coordination, and dull mental clarity, especially as blood alcohol levels rise. Alcohol also activates the "reward" center of the brain, prompting a release of dopamine and serotonin (the "feel good" chemicals of the brain)- the chemicals responsible for feelings of pleasure and contentment.

Alcohol and Caffeine: How They Interact

As we covered before, alcohol is a depressant, and caffeine is a stimulant — two opposite ends on the spectrum of psychoactive compounds. So, what are the general effects of mixing these two?

Essentially, caffeine will reduce the sedative effects of alcohol... and that's it. According to the CDC, although mixing caffeine and alcohol may help you feel "more alert" while under the influence, caffeine doesn't negate the impairing effects of alcohol. Therefore, the risk with mixing the two is that you may feel less intoxicated than you actually are, and thus, you may drink more than you usually would.

Now, we're not your parents or some D.A.R.E. speaker. You won't hear us saying, "Just say no to espresso martinis and white Russians." Obviously, it is possible to enjoy caffeine mixed with alcohol moderately and responsibly, but overdoing it can result in a not-so-great outcome.

TLDR: When mixing caffeine with alcohol, just keep in mind that you might be more impaired than you think you are.

Caffeine and THC: How They Interact

Is there any better way to start your day than a warm cup of coffee sweetened with some THC Syrup? We're not sure, but we're more than open to suggestions.

There's a good reason why cafés, from Amsterdam to Austin, offer drinks that meld caffeine and cannabis together—they're an excellent pairing! (Fun fact: there is even a cannabis strain named Caffeine.)

For many, especially sativa enthusiasts, pairing THC with caffeine can help "balance" these compounds out, blending the relaxing properties of cannabis with the stimulating effects of coffee or tea.

Although there isn't much research available on the topic of mixing THC with caffeine in human subjects, a 2012 study on rats found that a low serving of THC with a moderate serving of caffeine yielded similar effects on memory as a higher serving of THC.

Mixing cannabis and caffeine doesn't have the same potential risks as mixing alcohol and caffeine. Although there is minimal research on the topic of mixing "weed" and caffeine, many cannabis enthusiasts love the combination because it brings the focus and energy of coffee or tea, paired with the relaxing effects of THC. You'll find plenty of people sharing their experiences combining the two on Reddit.

So if you're interested in taking THC and caffeine for a test run, just start low and slow. We recommend a spoonful of THC-infused Agave mixed into a latte, or an ORCA Energy pill, containing a microdose of THC and caffeine for a quick boost.

Alcohol and THC: How They Interact

The question here is not "Can you mix THC and alcohol?" but "Should you mix THC and alcohol?" Just like how there can be complications that arise from mixing too much alcohol and caffeine, there can be setbacks from mixing alcohol with THC.

Effects of Consuming THC After Alcohol

If one consumes THC after drinking alcohol, the effects of the THC might intensify. This is because ethanol "thins" the blood down, and would increase the rate at which blood transports THC to the brain.

For example, if a 25mg gummy is your "sweet spot," eating one after having some drinks may increase the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed after consumption. Thus, in this instance, mixing alcohol and "weed" may push you unnecessarily over your limits for THC.

Effects of Consuming THC Before Alcohol

On the other hand, consuming alcohol after cannabis may slow down the effects of alcohol. With this effect comes the risk of overindulging in alcohol, along with the consequences of doing so.

Anecdotally, you will probably hear many cannabis enthusiasts talk about the "spins" after mixing THC and alcohol. Basically, "the spins" refers to a sensation of dizziness paired with "spinning" vision.

So yeah...not a fun time.

Again, we won't tell you what to do and what not to do. Will having a single beer with a gummy throw you into the spins? Most likely not. But if you're drinking a lot and mixing that with cannabis, you're most likely not going to have a good time.

So if you're wondering, "Is mixing 'weed' and alcohol bad?" The answer is that when mixing alcohol and "weed," the risks can greatly outweigh the rewards.

And if you're asking, "Is mixing 'weed' and alcohol dangerous?" The answer is that mixing weed with alcohol has the potential to be dangerous.

Because of the unpredictability of mixing the two, you will often find that some venues that serve both will either let you choose only alcoholic beverages or THC beverages, but not allow both to avoid patrons from mixing THC and alcohol.

The Bottom Line

In American culture, caffeine and alcohol have been the most easily accessible psychoactive compounds for quite a while. But with greater accessibility of legal, hemp-derived THC, it's good to know whether mixing these psychoactive compounds is right for you and the associated risks of doing so.

In summary:

Caffeine + your normal serving of THC = pretty safe
Alcohol + your normal serving of THC = risky

We hoped this blog helped clear the air a bit on the topic of blending THC with caffeine or alcohol.

Until next time!

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.