Escaping the burgeoning popularity of CBD has been almost impossible in recent years. It has made headlines and CBD-based products have flooded the market. With that boom has come increased interest in CBD’s potential health benefits. CBD oil is available in a variety of different forms and has become popular as a low-impact, accessible way of relieving a range of common conditions.
CBD gummies are an excellent way for buyers to add CBD to their daily routine without committing to new habits or having to deal with the social awkwardness of fielding questions about CBD. With fruity flavors and an easy way to control dosage, gummies offer a friendly way to tap into the benefits of CBD.
In this guide, we look at the topic of CBD in general and CBD gummies specifically, including its legality and safety. We’ll also give you our top picks for the best CBD gummies available today.
The Best CBD Gummies: Our Top Picks
Best Overall: CBDistillery
CBDistillery
Performance and quality by night or day.
Why We Picked It
To establish the Best Overall, we look for the right balance of cost, quality, and performance. CBDistillery’s gummies offer an excellent mix of all three.
CBDistillery offers two types of gummies: CBD Gummies and CBD Nighttime Gummies. Both are 30mg concentrations made with non-GMO, US-grown hemp that has been third-party lab-tested. They’re also gluten-free, allergen-free, vegan, and kosher. The product contains zero percent THC. Other ingredients include sugar, tapioca syrup, and natural flavors.
Each bottle contains a variety of flavors, such as raspberry-lemon, strawberry, and raspberry with 25 gummies per bottle.
The Nighttime gummies include an additional dose of melatonin as an active ingredient, which is a hormone that regulates the sleep cycle. These can be used in conjunction with CBDistillery’s other gummies to provide a day/night balance of CBD for better sleep regulation.
Keep in Mind
Not much choice on offer, but the two formulas are balanced for day and night use.
In a Nutshell
- Two varieties
- Gluten-free, allergen-free, vegan, kosher
- Non-GMO, US-grown
Best Value: CBDMD
CBDMD
Quality CBD gummies at an affordable price. Use code FAMILYLIVING for 15% off your order!
Why We Picked It
Buying CBD products on a budget isn’t easy, so we singled out a product for our Best Value category. In this case, we’ve chosen CBDMD’s gummies for the quality they offer at a reasonable price.
CBDMD offers two gummy products at two levels of concentration: 300mg (10mg per gummy) and 750mg (25mg per gummy). CBDMD’s CBD is US-grown, non-GMO, and third-party lab tested, and their gummies are vegan. Each bottle comes with a mixed array of flavors, including Tropical, Orange, Strawberry, and Mixed Berry. CBDMD uses broad-spectrum CBD, so the product contains undetectable levels of THC plus other cannabinoids.
Along with CBD as the active ingredient, this product also includes ingredients such as organic tapioca syrup, organic cane sugar, and organic fruit and vegetable juices for color.
For new users, CBDMD recommends starting with one or two gummies per day and then adjust accordingly. This makes it easy to establish your dosage and tailor it to your personal needs.
CMDMD’s 30-day satisfaction money-back guarantee helps to protect your investment, which is important for shoppers on a budget.
Keep in Mind
Good variety of flavors but only available mixed, so any disliked flavors will be wasted.
In a Nutshell
- Mixed flavors
- 300mg and 750mg concentrations available
- Non-GMO, US-grown
Best Selection: CBDFx
CBDfx
A variety of CBD options to suit every need.
Why We Picked It
Those who are new to the CBD gummies world may want the chance to try a variety of products. That’s why we’ve chosen CBDFx for its multiple flavors combined with its accessible options to suit a range of buyers.
CBDFx offers quite a few gummy products, including their standard gummies, melatonin gummies, and gummies flavored with turmeric and spirulina. Alongside its 300mg bottles of each, it also sells smaller, 8-gummy pouches available at an affordable price. CBDFx also bundles its gummies in several different CBD sets, including its CBD Snooze Set (containing topical cream and night mask) and On-The-Go bundle (including gummy 2x gummy pouches and 2x vape pens).
Each gummy is made from broad-spectrum, non-GMO, US-grown CBD. Unlike some gummies, CBDFx gummies are 100 percent vegan. Sample ingredients include tapioca syrup, pectin, and citric acid.
Unopened CBDFx products can be returned within 30 days of purchase for a refund, though customers can’t return opened items.
Keep in Mind
Newcomers may have to try a few products before they find their favorite.
In a Nutshell
- Three varieties of gummies to choose from
- Smaller pouches available
- Non-GMO, US-grown, 100% vegan
Best Flavor: Fab CBD
Fab CBD
A fruit mix of flavorful CBD.
Why We Picked It
Many gummy users are looking for a way to take CBD that doesn’t come with the bitter, earthy taste of CBD oil. Fab CBD offers great-tasting, fruit-flavored chews that offer a potent 25mg per serving of gummies. They contain CBD isolate derived from Non-GMO, US-grown hemp, and the CBD oil has been third-party lab-tested. As CBD isolate chews, they contain zero THC.
Each container contains 30 servings, with a serving size of one chew. Other ingredients included in the chew are cane sugar, tapioca syrup, and grape juice concentrate, with all ingredients being organically grown.
Keep in Mind
Only one flavor available (fruit).
In a Nutshell
- Fruit flavor
- Non-GMO
- 25mg per chew
How We Chose the Best CBD Gummies
To decide the best CBD gummies available on the market, we look at a range of key categories to give you a complete picture of the product.
Here are some of the ways we rate CBD gummies:
Quality
CBD oil quality can vary based on the quality of the hemp, the extraction methods used, and a few other considerations. We look at the quality of a brand’s oil, including where the hemp is grown, the method used for extraction, and considerations such as whether the product is non-GMO.
Independent Testing
Brands producing high-quality CBD ensure their CBD oil is third-party lab tested to verify their claims and to build consumer confidence. We consider this an essential component of legitimate CBD oil, so all of our top picks are independently tested for quality.
Reputable Brand
Although most CBD brands are still young, we look at the brand’s reputation to check that they care about their customers. As a consequence of the industry being in its early days, there are sadly many CBD vendors out there who are only looking to make money quickly.
Price
While the benefits of using CBD can be worth it, CBD oil doesn’t often come cheap, particularly if it’s of good quality. We help buyers on a budget figure out where to get their oil by looking at its price. That way, we can provide a clear picture of how the brand measures up, including whether it’s a worthwhile investment.
Customer Satisfaction
Customers ultimately decide the success or failure of a product, so we look at customer feedback to see how the product performs in the wild. Through feedback, we can also get a sense of popular observations about a product, such as whether it has an extraordinarily strong taste.
What is CBD?
CBD is a natural compound found in cannabis plants, which, historically, has been enough to land it in the illegal category alongside other cannabis-derivatives. But the recent push to legalize CBD for commercial and medical purposes has brought renewed attention to what CBD can offer.
CBD (cannabidiol) is found in the cannabis plant alongside high-inducing THC. Unlike THC, however, CBD’s effects on the body are much milder and even beneficial. CBD also isn’t psychoactive in the layman’s sense: it won’t produce the typical cannabis “high.”
Instead, CBD is a natural partner for the human body’s endocannabinoid system. This system intertwines with the other major systems of the body (such as the nervous system) to regulate our overall well-being. As the name suggests, its chemical neurotransmitters bear more than passing resemblance to CBD.
Preliminary research has shown that CBD can bind to the same receptors as the body’s native endocannabinoids, which gives it the ability to alleviate pain, control conditions like epilepsy, and potentially deliver a host of other benefits.
As CBD products are now legal for commercial purposes, CBD oil has attracted a huge amount of attention from the mainstream as an accessible way of improving general well-being and tackling chronic conditions in a milder way than potent prescription medications. All legal CBD on the market derives from hemp, which is a variety of cannabis low in psychoactive THC.
Benefits of CBD
We’ve already mentioned CBD’s compatibility with the human endocannabinoid system. While research is still in its early stages, certain benefits of CBD have already become clear and many more are under intense study. As a buyer, it can be hard to distinguish between marketing claims, anecdotal experiences, and scientifically-evidenced benefits.
Below, we highlight some common reported benefits of CBD and take a look at what the science says. Note that when taking CBD, you should always speak to your doctor for advice specific to your circumstances.
- Anxiety and depression: Preliminary research shows that CBD has the power to ease anxiety and promote sleep regulation over time. Many users also report success with taking CBD for depression and anxiety-related conditions. While research on this topic is still in its early stages, there seems to be a solid foundation to make CBD’s case as a means to tackle these conditions.
- Sleep and Insomnia: Through regulating sleep and promoting feelings of relaxation, CBD appears capable of tackling conditions like insomnia. This is compounded by its ability to fight anxiety and depression, two conditions that form a negative feedback loop with sleep disorders.
- Chronic pain: Evidence to date suggests that CBD can ease pain and inflammation, and therefore tackle chronic conditions like arthritis. CBD topicals are able to target specific areas, but other methods can fight pain systemically by absorption into the bloodstream.
- Epilepsy: CBD’s ability to control the effects of epilepsy has led to its highest-profile success stories, and the epilepsy drug Epidiolex remains the only CBD product that the FDA has approved as a marketable treatment.
What are CBD Gummies?
CBD gummies present an easy and effective way for users to take CBD oil. They’re a popular option with newcomers or those who want a regular hit of CBD without having to think about their dose in detail.
Gummies can be made from a variety of ingredients and some will contain animal products, so vegans and vegetarians will need to read the label. In consistency and flavor, they resemble gummy bear candies. Additive ingredients tend to include fruit juices, sugars, and syrups.
Gummies cover a wide range of concentrations, from as low as 5mg up to 30 or 40mg per gummy. Along with concentration, it’s also important to note the serving size to establish the right dose.
One of the big advantages of gummies over other CBD products lies in the taste. Many people don’t enjoy the taste of CBD, as it has an earthy, bitter flavor. Gummies come in a variety of flavors, much like their candy counterparts. Users can choose their preferred flavor or buy a bottle of mixed flavor gummies, depending on their preferences.
Gummies have a few other advantages, too. CBD remains a misunderstood compound, for now, so many users prefer their CBD use to be discrete to avoid awkward questions or judgment. Gummies resemble gummy candies, so there’s little indication they’re a CBD product. Like their candy inspiration, they’re also portable and convenient. Compared with CBD products like vape liquids and tinctures, this makes gummies unintrusive, subtle, and easy to incorporate into a routine without developing new habits.
Will CBD Gummies get me High?
It’s hard to separate cannabis from its reputation of causing a “high.” After all, this is the trait responsible for its criminalization. However, CBD represents only a component of cannabis and doesn’t, by itself, produce the cannabis high. This high is caused by CBD’s sister compound, THC.
CBD doesn’t lead to the kind of dramatic psychoactive effects seen from THC. However, it’s not quite that clear-cut. Many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC. You may see these labeled as containing “full-spectrum” CBD. This tiny amount of THC isn’t enough to cause psychoactive effects, but it may be detectable in drug tests, meaning some users will need to ensure they opt for isolate CBD only.
The products we’ve selected for this guide only include hemp-derived CBD. Products high in THC remain federally illegal and saleable CBD oil can’t by law be derived from high-THC strains of cannabis like marijuana.
Are CBD Gummies Safe?
While we’ve established that CBD won’t produce a high, we haven’t answered another basic question: is it safe?
As yet, CBD hasn’t been the subject of rigorous, long-term studies on its safety. These have been made all but impossible by the historical legal status of cannabis products. However, CBD’s short-term safety seems relatively sound. Side-effects are rare and mild when reported and CBD’s effects on the body are subtle.
One particular safety consideration concerning CBD gummies relates to their storage. Users with pets or small children should take every precaution to ensure they store gummies out of reach. Children, in particular, may mistake gummies with candy.
Side Effects of CBD Oil
While THC has made cannabis famous for its obvious psychoactive effect (the iconic high), CBD is a dramatic contrast. Unlike THC, it’s low-impact and its effects are much more subtle. This means that in rare cases where users experience side effects from CBD, these tend to be subtle, as well. The relative soft touch of CBD has made it a popular alternative to powerful prescription medications, which often come with potent side effects.
Among the reported side-effects of CBD oil are:
- Dry mouth: It’s believed that CBD may tell the endocannabinoid system to reduce saliva production, which can lead to dry mouth for some users.
- Decreased blood pressure: There are reports that CBD can reduce blood pressure. While desirable in some cases, sudden drops in blood pressure can cause undesirable effects, like dizziness and light-headedness.
- Diarrhea: There’s some anecdotal evidence that CBD may interact with human bowel function, which can cause conditions like diarrhea in some users.
- Appetite changes: The “munchies” sometimes associated with cannabis may find their origin in CBD, as it may play a role in boosting an individual’s appetite.
Who Shouldn’t Take CBD?
While most supplements are safe in moderation, there are a few people who should avoid taking CBD before consulting a doctor. These people are likely to be more vulnerable and should seek advice particular to their personal situation.
- Pregnant women: Pregnant women are advised to avoid a long list of drugs, food, and drink while pregnant, and the developmental impact of CBD isn’t known. In the interest of caution, pregnant women should consider CBD off-limits.
- Children: As in fetal development, the long-term developmental impact of CBD isn’t yet known. While pediatric epilepsy cases have brought attention to CBD’s benefits, no children should take CBD unless advised by a medical professional.
- Those taking prescription medication: Prescription medications can have potent and unpredictable effects when mixed with other substances. While CBD is only subtly psychoactive, anyone using prescription medication should first speak to their doctor.
Generally, CBD users should always speak to their doctor before taking CBD.
Is CBD Legal?
CBD’s legality is still a confusing issue for some shoppers, so newcomers may be seeking some reassurance about CBD’s legal status.
On a federal level, the use of hemp and hemp-derived products (CBD oil included) became legal for commercial purposes as of the 2023 “Farm Bill.” This removed these items from the DEA-regulated scheduled substances and into the commercial space. Some restrictions still apply: any CBD oil sold must contain less than 0.3 percent THC and high-THC strains of cannabis (such as marijuana) remain illegal. Hemp appropriate for CBD oil extraction can only be legally purchased from licensed growers.
However, it’s down to the FDA to regulate the marketing of drugs and supplements for health purposes. The FDA has only approved one medical case for CBD to date, which is the epilepsy drug Epidiolex. Many vendors continue to sell CBD oil while making it clear that its medical applications aren’t yet backed by the FDA.
State laws mean the legal status of CBD varies across the US, despite its legality at the federal level. If you’re getting into CBD, it’s important to check your local laws before you buy.
Considerations when Choosing CBD Gummies
To choose the right CBD gummies for you, you’ll need to keep a few key considerations in mind. Below, we lay out some things to think about when choosing a product.
Remember that if you decide CBD gummies aren’t for you, there are a variety of other CBD products to choose from. This includes topicals, vape liquids, and tinctures, to name a few.
Body Weight
Body weight plays a key role in determining the appropriate dosage of CBD oil for you. A heavier body typically needs a higher concentration or a larger dose, with the inverse being true for lighter customers. CBD gummies make controlling the dose easy, as each gummy contains a specific amount of CBD oil and adjusting the dose up or down to your body weight can be achieved by eating a larger or smaller serving. You can also upgrade or downgrade to a product that has more or less CBD per gummy.
CBD Concentration
CBD concentration tells the user how much CBD they’re getting per dose of the product. Per-gummy doses typically vary from 5mg to around 40mg on the upper end, with concentrated doses being better suited to heavy customers or those who have built up a tolerance.
Gummies also allow you to control a dose through serving size. If you feel you need a larger dose to feel the effects, you can make your serving size larger and consider upgrading to a more concentrated gummy for future purchases.
Gluten-free and Vegan
Customers with specific dietary needs will have to take care when buying CBD gummies. Gummies can contain a wide variety of ingredients, including gluten or animal products like gelatin. However, many vendors sell gummies to suit vegans and vegetarians, and many are also suitable for those with intolerances. Be sure to check the full list of ingredients before you make your purchase.
Full-Spectrum vs. Isolate
There are two chief methods of extracting CBD from hemp, with the two outcomes being full-spectrum CBD and crystalline isolate. Some users will need to ensure they choose the right kind of CBD oil. Full-spectrum CBD contains trace amounts of THC which, while unable to cause a high, may show up in drug testing. Some buyers may simply be uncomfortable with the idea of consuming THC. In either case, buyers who want to avoid THC should opt for crystalline isolate products.
Independent Testing
Independent testing by a third-party lab is essential if you want to verify a manufacturer’s claims about the quality of its CBD. In such a young industry, there’s not much in place to weed out unscrupulous sellers, so consumers need to beware when making a purchase. Independent testing is one of the best tools buyers have to help them find legitimate sellers.
Related Resources
For more CBD resources, check out our other in-depth guides:
- The Best CBD Capsules
- The Best CBD Oils
- The Best CBD Topicals
- The Best CBD for Cats
