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CBD gummies are convenient and discreet and may have benefits for sleep, anxiety, and pain. Here, we review the best CBD gummies from Cornbread Hemp, Medterra, CBDistillery, and more.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
Medical News Today only includes CBD gummies that pass our rigorous vetting criteria. We regularly update our recommendations and switch out gummies that no longer pass with alternatives we think our readers will love.
Some of the things we look at include:
Ingredients: MNT chooses products containing safe and high-quality, clearly labeled ingredients. They should also state the source of their hemp.
Dosage: MNT selects products that clearly state the CBD dosage and THC content.
Third-party labs: MNT chooses products that must undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Available certificate of analysis: MNT selects companies that demonstrate transparency and share a product’s certificate of analysis (COA) after receiving its third-party lab results. A COA demonstrates that the product is free from pesticides, heavy metals, and mold.
Reputable: MNT chooses products from businesses that adhere to industry best practices. For example, we consider customer reviews, if a brand has received Food and Administration (FDA) warnings, and whether they make unsupported health claims.
Safeuse: MNT selects products in which manufacturers recommend a safe dosage and how to take it.
Price: MNT will choose products available for a wide range of budgets. Where available, we provide discount codes.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
Before purchasing CBD gummies, a person may wish to consider the following:
Hemp source: People may think about buying from companies that source hemp responsibly. Several companies use hemp grown in the United States, whereas others use hemp from other countries.
THC content: Hemp products with less than 0.3% THC are legal on a federal level. It is essential to check the THC content of a product before purchasing.
Unproven medical claims: The FDA has only approved one CBD prescription drug for medical use. The FDA states that people who buy CBD products claiming to treat serious conditions such as cancer, mental health conditions, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease should not delay receiving care from a healthcare professional.
COA: Products should have a COA detailing the ingredients and contaminant testing results. If a COA is unavailable on a company’s website, a person may wish to contact the company to read the certificate before purchasing a product.
CBD resources
Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on CBD.
Consuming CBD gummies and other edibles can be an easy, tasty, and discreet way of ingesting CBD. Some common reasons for taking CBD gummies include managing pain and seeking relief from anxiety or depression.
Read on to find out how CBD gummies can help these common issues.
CBD may help reduce pain sensations in the body, including neuropathic pain. It may also limit inflammation in conditions such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS).
The endocannabinoid system affects the central nervous system and how the body responds to internal and external stressors.
CBD works with other cannabinoids to bind to cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system. However, CBD does not cause a person to become “high.” There are two primary cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors, which are present in the central nervous system and the brain, and CB2 receptors, which increase expression after injury and inflammation.
Gummies may contain one of three main variations of CBD. These are:
Full-spectrum CBD: This contains all the phytochemicals that occur naturally in the cannabis plant, such as various other cannabinoids, terpenes, and oils. It also includes a trace amount of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a “high.” THC binds to and may activate CB1 receptors, leading to the effects of this compound.
Broad-spectrum CBD: This contains all the phytochemicals in the cannabis plant but no THC.
Due to a lack of regulation, companies and consumers sometimes confuse these terms — particularly broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate — and use them incorrectly.
Companies that manufacture CBD gummies usually state the best use for them on their websites or product packaging.
Some brands claim a person can take the gummies anytime during the day. Others suggest taking the gummies either at night or in the morning.
Dosage
There has been very little research into how much CBD an individual should take. Companies tend to state a recommended dosage on the label of their CBD products and suggest starting at a low dose. It is important not to exceed this dosage and to lower it or stop taking CBD immediately if a person experiences any side effects.
People should consider the milligrams of CBD in each dose. Most CBD companies suggest starting with a small dose and gradually increasing it as necessary.
Individuals should not exceed the recommended dose listed on the product packaging.
A person should consult a doctor before taking any supplements. This is particularly important with CBD gummies. CBD can cause liver problems in some people and may affect male reproductive systems.
In addition, to avoid the risk of potentially harmful interactions, people who take prescription medications should check with a healthcare professional before using CBD gummies.
CBD gummies are a convenient and discreet way of ingesting CBD and can be worth the expense if they relieve mild symptoms of anxiety, stress, or help ease sleeping problems — and early research suggests they can.
However, their effect on people will depend on the dose and type of CBD. Higher doses will produce more noticeable effects, but they may not suit people new to CBD.
Some options from our range of the best CBD gummies include:
These options offer various flavors, doses, and CBD types. Some are also suitable for smaller budgets.
Full-spectrum CBD contains THC, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that work together to affect the body’s endocannabinoid system, which may make this type of CBD more effective.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains the same compounds as full-spectrum, but it does not contain any THC, making this a good option for people who wish to avoid the psychoactive element of CBD.
CBD isolate, on the other hand, only contains CBD.
A high potency, full-spectrum CBD gummy may be best for pain and anxiety, although scientific research backing up CBD use for pain is limited. Learn about the best strongest CBD gummies.
Many reviewers find CBD gummies are effective for lifting the mood and managing stress, and taking CBD in gummy form is convenient and discreet. A person will have to evaluate the effectiveness of CBD gummies depending on their needs and expectations.
Consuming CBD gummies is an easy and discreet way of taking CBD for pain relief, depression, anxiety, or other health issues. Many CBD products are on the market, and some may be better than others.
The FDA does not approve any over-the-counter (OTC) CBD products. A person should research multiple brands and products before making a purchase.
People should also consider the type of CBD a product contains.
People new to CBD may wish to start with a low dose option, such as 5 mg, and increase their intake slowly as their symptoms require.
People should look for companies that provide proof of independent, third-party laboratory testing to ensure their products contain the listed ingredients.
Anyone looking to use CBD for anxiety or depression should speak with a healthcare professional first. This is because CBD could interact with other medications they are taking, such as prescription anti-anxiety medications.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
De Gregorio D, et al. (2019). Cannabidiol modulates serotonergic transmission and reverses both allodynia and anxiety-like behavior in a model of neuropathic pain. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30157131
