Key takeaways
- When looking for CBD gummies and other products, it’s important to consider the sourcing, ingredients, third-party testing, and CBD potency.
- If you’re new to CBD, cut a 5 milligram (mg) gummy in half so you can see what effects you feel at 2.5 mg. Wait for up to 2 hours to feel the full effects.
- Cornbread Hemp’s Full Spectrum CBD gummies are our top pick, and CBDfx Mixed Berry Gummies are best for people looking for THC-free CBD products.
The cannabidiol (CBD) world can feel huge and complicated, but products like CBD gummies make it more approachable for some folks.
CBD gummies are easy to dose, portable, and discreet. They also come in various flavors, making them a suitable choice for people new to CBD. Not to mention, they can be beneficial for various health concerns.
Testing CBD gummies
Our team has tested CBD gummies since 2022, and we retest and report back on a variety of gummies to evaluate the flavor, experience, and effects.
We have evaluated more than 150 CBD gummies to ensure the test results are current, show no contaminants, and contain only allowable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels.
Then we test what passes. Our editors and staff have tried all the gummies in this article and provided feedback to help make choosing and buying the best CBD gummies a little easier. These six products rank as the best CBD gummies in our book.
We selected these CBD gummies based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. As part of our CBD vetting process, we consider:
- how the CBD gummies are made, including ingredients, composition, and overall quality
- applicable third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results, including those that confirm the CBD type and purity
- marketing and therapeutic claims
We also personally tested all the gummies on our list to share our experience of how they helped us sleep, relax, and be productive by calming racing thoughts.
Learn more about how we test CBD.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the products on this page, we considered all the CBD gummies that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further. Read more about how we test CBD products.
It’s best to use the following criteria when buying CBD gummies:
CBD source
The first thing to consider when purchasing CBD gummies is the type of CBD, which features three specific types.
CBD isolate is pure CBD, with no other cannabinoids. While isolates are suitable for consumers who want to avoid THC, this extraction method strips away the flavonoids and terpenes found in cannabis. This means the end result won’t provide the full range of health benefits.
Products made with broad-spectrum CBD contain most cannabinoids, plus other cannabis compounds, but they generally don’t contain THC.
Products made with full-spectrum CBD can contain all the plant’s cannabinoids, including THC. Full-spectrum products provide the most therapeutic benefits due to the entourage effect, meaning cannabinoids have a greater effect combined than when consumed alone.
The best bet is to go for a full- or broad-spectrum product made with organic hemp grown in the United States. Hemp grown in the United States is subject to agricultural regulations and can’t contain more than 0.3% THC.
Any product that doesn’t specifically say what type of CBD was used — for instance, listing only “cannabis extract” as an ingredient — is probably one to avoid.
CBD potency
Doses vary widely across CBD products, and potency may depend on the CBD source. For example, a 5-mg full-spectrum CBD gummy may feel a lot more potent than a 5-mg CBD isolate gummy.
If you’re unsure what dose to look for, the best bet is to start with the lowest available — generally 2.5 mg to 5 mg — and increase from there.
Ingredients
There is a lot more to CBD gummies than just CBD — other ingredients can vary widely. Pay attention to additives like artificial ingredients and preservatives.
You may also want to avoid high fructose corn syrup, and if you’re vegan or have allergies, look for products that match those needs.
Consider CBD gummies made with organic, non-GMO ingredients, real sugar, and natural flavorings. Although you can purchase CBD products that contain vitamins or adaptogenic herbs, it may be best to avoid these. This is because experts are unsure how CBD interacts with vitamins, minerals, or supplements.
Third-party testing
Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter CBD products.
However, to protect public health, the FDA can
Take a look at the COA and make sure the product has been tested for contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and molds. You can also use the COA to verify that the product actually contains the amount of CBD and THC that the label says it does.
Beware of any company that promises extreme results, and remember that results may differ. A product that works well for a friend or family member may not have the same effects for you.
If a product doesn’t work for you, consider trying another with different ingredients or a different amount of CBD.
Most gummies come in packs of 20 to 60, dosed at 5 mg or more of CBD per gummy. If you’ve never tried CBD, start with a 5-mg gummy. Some gummies can be cut in half, so you can start with 2.5 mg.
Wait up to 2 hours to experience the full effects, and if you feel like you need more, experiment until you find a dose that’s just right. You can consume gummies daily, but keep in mind that their effects tend to last 4 to 6 hours.
Lastly, remember to store gummies in a cool, dark place away from sunlight.
Some prefer ingesting CBD by eating edibles like gummies. CBD gummies come in a variety of potencies. But generally, it’ll be about
When you eat a CBD gummy, your body will first absorb it in the digestive system. Next, the active ingredients can move into your bloodstream, reaching your liver.
From here, your liver metabolizes the ingredients before entering the bloodstream again and finally getting to your brain.
This is when people generally notice the results, although everyone’s experience with onset time may differ. Of course, if you eat a CBD gummy on an empty stomach, you might notice results faster than if you take it with a full stomach.
CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning it will not get you “high.” Experts generally recognize it as safe, and there are few side effects, though they do occasionally occur.
Possible side effects
Research from 2017 suggests that CBD may interact with liver enzymes and interfere with metabolizing other medications or breaking down toxins. Always consult with a clinician before using CBD products, especially if you take any medications or supplements.
Additionally, keep in mind that some
If you’re pregnant or nursing, avoid CBD.
The most potent CBD gummies we recommend are the Cornbread Hemp Gummies, which contain up to 100 mg of CBD and up to 4 mg of THC.
If you prefer broad-spectrum CBD, then we recommend CBDfx Mixed Berry Gummies, which feature up to 100 mg of CBD but no added THC.
After consuming a CBD gummy, it can be as soon as 30 to 60 minutes or up to a couple of hours before the effects kick in.
It may take longer to notice the effects of CBD gummies compared with CBD oil. Gummies must travel through your digestive system before the effects can occur. If you’re looking for faster absorption, go for CBD oil.
This will depend on the product you choose. Some CBD gummies come in higher doses and are meant to be taken only once daily, while others are less potent, meaning you can slowly take more as you get used to CBD and find the result you’re looking to achieve.
Some CBD gummies are free from THC, but there’s always a risk that they contain trace amounts, which can result in a positive drug test. Full-spectrum CBD includes all the plant’s cannabinoids, meaning it contains THC.
To be sure there’s no THC in your CBD gummies, select an isolate — also known as pure CBD.
Unlike CBD, CBG is a minor cannabinoid, so it’s not as potent as CBD. It’s most abundant in young cannabis and hemp plants, while mature plants have less CBG and more CBD and THC.
As far as strength in effects, some 2022 research finds that CBG may exert more influence on pain receptors.
According to research, cannabigerol (CBG) may offer anti-inflammatory benefits, act as an appetite stimulant, and help with anxiety. It may also be effective in the treatment of conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), Huntington disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Cannabidiol (CBD) may have health benefits, and gummies are a great place for CBD-curious folks to start. Stick with full- or broad-spectrum products made with organic hemp grown in the United States, and be sure that whatever you buy is third-party tested.
Start slowly, enjoying enough of a gummy to ingest 2.5 milligrams (mg) to 5 mg of CBD. Evaluate any effects as you slowly work your way toward finding the right amount for you, known as your “Goldilocks dose.” Wait up to a full 2 hours before taking any additional CBD.
Consult a clinician before trying CBD, especially if you’re currently taking any other medication.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
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 legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so 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.
