That enhancement may be why more people are combining the drugs, but Ferre cautioned that doing so is a bad idea. 'So, any substance that releases dopamine, including THC, its effects are increased by caffeine.' Magnified marijuana

'Caffeine increases tremendously the effects of a psychostimulant, including THC and cocaine,' Ferre said. Indeed, one reason why people may like the combination of marijuana and caffeine so much is that caffeine can magnify the effects of dopamine released by marijuana. It just so happens that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, is also known to stimulate dopamine neurons throughout the brain, he said. This neurotransmitter is often called the 'feel-good' chemical, because it's responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. So, by blocking adenosine, caffeine changes peoples' moods and leaves them feeling more alert and awake.Ĭaffeine is also known to boost another neurotransmitter: dopamine, Ferre said. Adenosine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that it blocks other neurotransmitters that excite the neurons its activity thus leads to feelings of fatigue. Caffeine exerts its effects by blocking receptors in the brain for a neurotransmitter called adenosine, Ferre told Live Science.

Coffee buzz hits hours later