The Best CBD Gummies of 2022
My experience & health philosophy
As a natural health trends specialist for over 25 years, with a penchant for researching, discovering and experiencing the latest breakthroughs in leading edge wellness products, my passion is sharing the best of the best in my columns.
From columns in Huffington Post to Thrive Global, Malibu Magazine to Longevity Magazine, and dozens of other print and online publications, my focus is always health and wellness, including attending workshops, healing retreats and med-spas.
What is CBD and why is it important?
CBD is a safe & non-intoxicating compound derived from hemp. CBD is not marijuana and it won’t get you high. CBD has become extremely popular due to its potential health benefits related to stress, anxiety, pain and sleep management.
But you’re a smart & sophisticated consumer, and you’re most likely familiar with CBD. And the reason you’ve landed here is to want to make a better buying decision. Therefore, the comprehensive outline of “what is CBD?” is located after the Best CBD Gummies of 2022 list.
How were the Best CBD Gummies of 2022 evaluated?
The Best CBD Gummies list was compiled after evaluating 45 different brands against 10 ranking signals. Those 10 ranking signals were:
- CBD gummy effectiveness
- CBD gummy taste
- CBD gummy ingredients
- Quality assurance system & COAs
- Transparency for CBD sourcing
- No FDA warning letters or lawsuits
- Company return policy & guarantee
- Company reputation & media trust
- Brand experience & mission
- CBD gummy cost & offerings
TOP PICK: Best Overall CBD Gummies of 2022
Sunday Scaries CBD Gummies infused with Vitamins B12 & D3
- RATING: 10/10
- Effectiveness: The winner here since stress just seemed to melt away after 2 gummies & 20 minutes
- Taste: Delicious & best tasting, slightly sweet gummy bears that weren’t “hempy”
- CBD Potency: 10mg Broad Spectrum CBD per gummy
- CBD Sourcing: Family owned farms outside Denver, Colorado
Sunday Scaries Highlights
Based on overall experience, Sunday Scaries CBD Gummies with Vitamins D3 & B12 were the best tasting & most effective CBD gummies.
The broad spectrum CBD combined with Vitamins D3 & B12 allow you to get the calming benefits of complimentary cannabinoid compounds while being THC-free. And it helps to know that both D3 and B12 are a staple for daily wellness.
Sunday Scaries follows a strict 3-step quality assurance system and provides transparency into their premium CBD provider: KND Labs. All of their products are tested at both the raw product and finished product levels using accredited third-party laboratories.
In addition, Sunday Scaries offers a 100% lifetime money back guarantee, which is superior to all of the other brands in consideration. No other CBD company has a 100% lifetime money back, satisfaction guarantee on their website. In addition, Sunday Scaries doesn’t require that you ship back the product to receive a refund. Their confidence in their own products was a notable win amongst their competition.
Sunday Scaries pricing is discounted through a monthly subscription. There are no contracts; all subscriptions are month-to-month and get free shipping plus other perks.
Sunday Scaries has also been featured in prominent publications like FORBES, Oprah, Well+Good and even the New York Post. To date, Sunday Scaries has not received any FDA letters and has a 5/5 rating with the Better Business Bureau.
About the company: Sunday Scaries was launched in 2017 by two friends & entrepreneurs, Beau Schmitt & Mike Sill, to help people manage and alleviate their daily stress & anxiety. Their mission is to make sure their customers never feel alone in their struggles. Sunday Scaries is also heavily involved with philanthropic projects with products that contribute to The Trevor Project and The Pink Agenda.
Curious? Check out Sunday Scaries CBD Gummies here
Runner Up: Best CBD Gummies of 2022
Penguin CBD Gummy Worms
- RATING: 8.5/10
- Effectiveness: Felt relaxed after 2 gummy worms and 30 minutes
- Taste: Slightly tangy and sour taste, sugar coated and sweet, for all your sour patch fans
- CBD Potency: 10 mg CBD isolate per gummy
- CBD Sourcing: Farms located in Oregon.
Penguin CBD Gummies Highlights
Penguin CBD was the runner up for best CBD gummies of 2022. The Penguin CBD gummy worms were both effective and delicious. The tanginess they provide is very unique among all the CBD gummies in consideration.
While the CBD isolate doesn’t provide the benefits of the other cannabinoids, it does guarantee there is no THC, which may be beneficial for some people.
Penguin CBD gummies are tested by third party labs, which are ISO 17025 accredited. This means Penguin products are made in a facility that has demonstrated they can operate competently and generate valid results.
Penguin CBD offers a 30-day money back guarantee. While a 30-day refund policy is industry common-practice, Penguin CBD goes a step further and offers prepaid shipping labels for all returns.
Penguin CBD’s pricing is mid-tier, not the most expensive and not the least expensive. This is acceptable based on the quality of their CBD gummies and price per mg.
The company has also been featured in prominent publications like RollingStone, Merry Jane and Healthline. To date, Penguin CBD has not received any FDA letters.
About the company: Penguin CBD was founded in 2019 by Deep Patel with an enthusiasm to bring CBD to households everywhere.
Third Place: Best CBD Gummies of 2022
Batch CBD Gummies
- RATING: 8.5/10
- Effectiveness: Stress relieved after 1 CBD gummy
- Taste: very “juicy” fruit flavors like mango and raspberry
- CBD Potency: 25 mg full spectrum CBD per gummy cube
- CBD Sourcing: Farms located in Wisconsin.
Batch CBD Gummies
Batch CBD gummies placed third for best CBD gummies of 2022. Individual Batch CBD gummies are 25mg each, so the pectin-based cubes have a much higher potency than most.
Full spectrum CBD is used in Batch CBD gummies, which provides all of the cannabinoid benefits of the hemp plant. However, because Batch CBD gummies do contain full spectrum CBD, they may contain trace amounts of THC (<.3%).
All of Batch CBD’s products are tested internally first, using an HPLC machine which confirms the amount of cannabinoids in each batch. Additionally, each batch of CBD gummies is third-party verified before being sold to consumers.
Batch CBD also offers a 30-day money back guarantee, which is best practice. All of their customer service is based in the USA, which is a benefit.
Batch CBD’s pricing is in the premium tier, but that’s understandable considering their potency. On a cost per mg, they are certainly reasonable for a premium-level gummy. They also offer 60-day recurring subscriptions for 25% off, which is unique.
The company has also been featured in prominent publications like Discover Magazine, LeafReport and Forbes. To date, Batch CBD has not received any FDA letters.
About the company: Batch CBD was founded by three buddies, Dennis Mistrioty (CEO), Andy Gouyld (CFO) and Griffin (COO) with a focus on the entire supply chain.
Fourth Place: Best CBD Gummies of 2022
Sagely Naturals CBD & CBG Gummies
- RATING: 8/10
- Effectiveness: Calming sensation after 1 CBD gummy
- Taste: Very pleasant lemony flavor, not too “hempy”
- CBD Potency: 25 mg broad spectrum CBD per gummy
- CBD Sourcing: All products are manufactured in the USA using hemp grown in New England.
Sagely Naturals CBD Gummies Highlights
Sagely Naturals CBD gummies placed fourth for best CBD gummies of 2022. Each Sagely Natural CBD gummy not only contains 25mg of CBD, but also 5mg CBG and L-Theanine. L-Theanine is used in many over the counter relaxation and sleep formulas.
Sagely Naturals CBD uses broad spectrum CBD in their gummies, which allows you to enjoy all the complimentary cannabinoid benefits without the THC. CBG is known as CBD’s “sister cannabinoid” and may have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Their CBD Gummies are also expertly formulated by scientists and holistic naturopaths before they are 3rd party tested by either Eurofins Microbiology Laboratories in Wisconsin or Anresco Laboratories in California.
Sagely Naturals CBD offers a 30-day money back guarantee for their CBD gummies, which are confirmed via postmark. Unfortunately, Sagely doesn’t offer international shipping yet.
The company has also been vetted and approved for resale (for its CBD topicals) in CVS, Ulta and Walgreens, which supplements its stellar brand reputation.
About the company: Sagely Naturals CBD was founded by friends Kaley Nichol and Kerrigan Behrens with the primary goal of harnessing the life-changing benefits of broad spectrum CBD.
Fifth Place: Best CBD Gummies of 2022
NanoCraft Fruity CBD Gummies
- RATING: 8/10
- Effectiveness: Calming sensation after 1 CBD fruity gummy
- Taste: Cherry was my favorite, not too sweet
- CBD Potency: 25 mg broad spectrum CBD per gummy
- CBD Sourcing: Every NanoCraft product uses CBD from superior genetic hemp strains
NanoCraft CBD Gummies Highlights
While NanoCraft is better known for their topicals, they are obviously making significant strides in their ingestible portfolio, which is why they’re fifth on the list for best CBD gummies of 2022.
While NanoCraft also uses broad spectrum CBD in their gummies, their extraction process is notably unique. Instead of CO2 or ethanol extraction, which are the two most common extraction methods in the industry, NanoCraft uses a special cryogenic extraction process. This allows them to better isolate valuable cannabinoids in the hemp plant.
Every production run of NanoCraft CBD gummies is tested for accurate cannabinoids, essential fatty acids and terpenes. All final products are verified using third-party lab testing.
NanoCraft offers a 30-day money back guarantee, no questions asked.
The company has also been featured in prominent publications like MindBodyGreen, Entrepreneur and Surfline. To date, NanoCraft has not received any FDA letters.
About the company: NanoCraft was founded by buddies Todd Erwin and Stefan McKeller with the mission of creating exceptional CBD products while giving back to their communities.
The Best CBD Gummies of 2022 Ranking Signals:
1. CBD gummy effectiveness
The CBD gummy effectiveness was the most important ranking signal for the Best CBD Gummies of 2022 list. In an unregulated market, CBD company reputation is paramount. There are so many on the market, which can be confusing so it is important to make sure you get the absolute best quality for the best value.
In a recent study, over 70% of online-marketed CBD products didn’t contain the amount of CBD they claimed to contain. The result of this is a marketplace filled with ineffective, poorly manufactured products. Effectiveness is #1.
2. CBD gummy taste
Taste was the 2nd more important ranking factor. CBD oil tinctures and pills can get away with tasting earthy, “hempy” or like dirt because the ingestion process is so short. They’re either dropped under the tongue or swallowed immediately.
Contrastingly, the best method for CBD gummy absorption is sucking on them. With thousands of CBD gummies on the market, there is no reason you should be forced to suck on one that doesn’t taste delicious for 5–10 minutes. And many are so tasty it’s just like candy, but may not have the highest quality ingredients.
3. CBD gummy ingredients
Since CBD is taken by the public for a variety of reasons, supplemental ingredients were taken into consideration. The most popular reasons for people taking CBD gummies are anxiety, stress, sleep, pain and inflammation.
Supplemental ingredients included amino acids, vitamins and other botanicals. While artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners were not preferred, they were not a deciding factor for the final list because of the nature of confectionary products.
4. Quality assurance system & COAs
A prerequisite for being considered for the Best CBD Gummies of 2022 list was having a clear quality assurance system on the company website. Since the CBD industry isn’t regulated, industry-wide standards for quality & control do not yet exist. Therefore, it is imperative that every CBD brand develop & follow their own quality assurance systems.
Quality assurance systems should share the full process of product manufacturing, from raw product to finished product. Quality assurance should also indicate whether each product contains non-gmo ingredients, natural ingredients or organic hemp ingredients.
In addition, every finished product should have a clearly linked COA. COA stands for Certificate of Analysis and shows 3rd party lab results. These results should include cannabinoid composition (including THC content), microbial analysis, heavy metal analysis and pesticide analysis.
5. Transparency for CBD sourcing
The CBD used in products should be grown in the USA. While not a significant issue anymore, from 2015 to 2017, a large portion of US hemp was actually imported from China. In China, a primary use for hemp plants was soaking up the pesticides, toxins and heavy metals from the soil in between crop cycles.
Today most non-US grown hemp is imported from Canada. However, Canadian grown hemp is not grown under the same USDA regulations.
6. No FDA warnings letters or lawsuits
Over the past 3 years, 2019–2021, the FDA has sent out 48 warning letters to CBD companies who have made either: irresponsible medical & health claims or were caught selling CBD products that did not contain the amount of CBD stated on the packaging.
CBD litigation for false advertising, misrepresentation and health claims were also taken into consideration. Just recently, Clint Eastwood won a $6.1 million judgement against a CBD brand who falsely used his name and image to endorse their products!
7. Company return policy & guarantee
At the end of the day, each CBD brand needs to stand behind their product. If the product doesn’t work, then the customer should be entitled to a full, and easily attainable, refund.
At a minimum, a 30-day 100% refund policy was required for the Best CBD Gummies of 2022 list. The best refund policy among all 45 CBD brands reviewed was the 100% lifetime money back guarantee offered by Sunday Scaries.
8. Company reputation & media trust
It’s easy to “fake” media trust on a CBD website, and it happens all the time. When you go to a website, check whether the “Featured in” media icons link out to a website. Or simply Google “X Brand & FORBES.” What comes up?
If you can’t find a major publication discussing the CBD brand, that’s a red flag. The bigger and more authoritative, the better: FORBES, New York Times, New York Post, Entrepreneur, MindBodyGreen and other high caliber publications are all good signs that the company is reputable. Google the “Brand” with quotation marks followed by the media outlet associated with the placement to find the best results.
9. Brand experience & mission
This refers to the actual branding of the company. Does it appear whitelabeled or does the company have a personality. Do they have a unique perspective and mission?
Many companies are becoming more focused on social entrepreneurship. They are becoming interested in the social good and not just the pursuit of profits. Their mission as entrepreneurs in many cases is to produce environmentally-friendly products, serve an underserved community, or focus on philanthropic activities.
Another ranking factor was philanthropy. In addition to having a defined mission statement, does the company give back through philanthropic ventures? Is it involved in the community? These answers not only speak to the character of the CBD brand, but supplement its validity.
10. CBD gummy cost & offerings
CBD gummy price was the last ranking signal. While not a major factor, price was considered. At the end of the day, if the product works, tastes good and is from a respectable source, price is arguably negligible. In our current “experience economy” customer service is paramount.
Offerings refers to subscription programs. As more and more people are using CBD on a daily basis, having the ability to subscribe to a monthly CBD gummy program with value-added benefits was a minor ranking factor.
More about my personal health & wellness philosophy
The one underlying truth that has become my motto is: The future of healthcare begins with SELF-CARE and the future is NOW. The first place to start is to become the CEO of your own body. In the ever increasing challenges brought on by climate change, financial uncertainty and the pandemic, we are faced with the daily onslaught of increasing stress factors.
Here we are in 2022, and many have reached a boiling point where we need to augment our daily well-being with new and preferably natural ways to combat the hectic challenge and uncertainty of modern living. Social media expectations, information overload, unpredictability of the validity of news, digital isolation and more continue to plague the United States.
Life is filled with uncertainty and worries about the future. While many things remain outside our control, it has been discovered that mindset is key to coping with difficult circumstances and confidently facing the unknown.
I have been on a quest to find the best of the best in wellness, and most importantly dealing with my own issues of insomnia, anxiety and lack of energy. My desire has always been to experience vibrant health and radiant beauty well into my mature years.
Also, I am a super sleuth when it comes to living my best life NOW, in search of the perfect blend of natural and non-toxic ways to experience pleasure and avoid unnecessary pain and suffering.
The key is to learn how to navigate through these trying times in search of the most effective health cocktail to alleviate my own stress and especially insomnia.
I used to always find time to visit spas, to luxuriate in healing treatments and discovering the leading-edge breakthroughs in detoxing, while adopting healthy habits and sharing the most effective ones with my clients. But there is so much conflicting information now.
What to eat? From Keto to Paleo, raw to cooked, vegan to vegetarian, whole food/plant based, or pure carnivore, it has become so confusing following the so-called leading-edge experts. Every day there seems to be new medical information on why you should eat this and not that.
We are inundated with the latest gurus and bio-hackers that are telling us to do infra-red saunas, or cryotherapy, red light therapy, intermittent fasting, and even eliminating whole food groups.
According to all the so called experts, each one proclaims that their specific methods are the answer and they all seem to have conflicting protocols. It’s enough to make us want to go home, have a couple of glasses of wine and chocolate and then forget about it all!
However, the one thing that has become a staple in my natural wellness world protocol is CBD. Specifically, gummies. They have a soporific and calming effect on my nerves and feel gentle and safe. If you’re like me, you probably are also seeking some sort of comforting, natural elixir to soothe your soul, calm your nerves and have a sense of overall well being. That is the key to this information, to share the best quality for the best value and a trusted source.
CBD Gummy Information & FAQ:
What is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. CBD is a phytocannabinoid and natural botanical derived from cannabis plants. The cannabis genus has two species: hemp and marijuana. CBD that is derived from hemp is federally legal. CBD that is derived from marijuana is not federally legal.
Hemp, or “industrial hemp”, is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant that is grown specifically for industrial use. There are over 100 total cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. The two most predominant ones are THC (Tetrahydrocannibinol), the intoxicating compound, and CBD (Cannabidiol), its non-psychoactive and therapeutic sister. Hemp is high in CBD and very low in THC. Contrastingly, marijuana is very high in THC and low in CBD.
What are CBD gummies?
CBD gummies are usually candy-like edibles that are either chewy or jello-like. The most popular forms of CBD gummies are cubes, bears, worms, rings and stars. The base for CBD gummies is usually gelatin, corn syrup or pectin.
All of the CBD gummies in this evaluation are made with CBD derived from hemp and contain less than .3% THC by weight.
What should I expect when taking CBD gummies for the first time?
Every person is obviously different, and your personal experience with taking any form of CBD will be largely dependent on your tolerance, weight, experience with cannabis and metabolism.
CBD gummies should be sweet, so it’ll be like sucking on a Haribo gummy bear, peach ring or jelly candy. There will most likely be an earthy or hemp flavor somewhere in the experience, either at the beginning or in the aftertaste.
It’ll be a challenge not to chew, but it’s best to suck on the gummy and move under your tongue until fully dissolved. The CBD gummies on this “Best of” list are especially delicious, so they’ll be even more challenging not to gobble-up.
What does taking CBD gummies feel like?
Gummy products can feel very differently depending on what ingredients in addition to CBD are in the composition. CBD by itself will not get you high.
Examples:
- If the CBD gummy contains trace amounts of THC, then you may experience psychoactive effects (ie: feeling high).
- If the CBD gummy contains an amino acid like L-Theanine, then you may experience feelings affecting mood, emotion and sleep.
- If the CBD gummy contains turmeric, then it may better help with pain and inflammation.
CBD offers a cool, calm sense of relief. CBD’s feeling is more closely related to the removal of a feeling versus the stimulation of a feeling. Contrary to THC, which makes you feel high, CBD blocks receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, which could help to remove symptomatic feelings of pain by quelling anxiety.
Think of CBD more like Advil. Advil doesn’t stimulate you; it removes pain & inflammation. CBD won’t stimulate you, but it may help to remove feelings of stress & anxiety.
*Disclaimer: this is purely conversational and should never be construed as medical advice.
Why are CBD gummies a good way to take CBD?
Taking CBD gummies is an easy & delicious way to enjoy the health benefits of CBD. When compared to dropping a CBD oil tincture under the tongue, CBD gummies are also more discrete.
When taking gummies with 10mg of CBD, it’s also much easier to scale up incrementally to achieve the desired effects from dosing.
Dosing is also easier as long as you buy from a trusted CBD company. In a recent study, over 70% of CBD products on the market were mislabeled. Trustability is key.
What’s the best way to eat CBD gummies?
The best way to eat CBD gummies is to suck on them so they can dissolve in the mucous membrane of your mouth. The goal is to absorb the CBD from the gummy sublingually instead of passing it through your digestive system where it may lose potency.
Why should I suck on the CBD gummies?
For best results, sucking on the CBD gummies is recommended before swallowing. Through sucking, more CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream through your sublingual tissue (ie: the tissue under your tongue).
According to Healthline, sublingual dosing may help CBD enter your system faster with a higher absorption rate which should increase effectiveness.
Is it bad to just chew CBD gummies?
Not necessarily. But, if you chew and swallow CBD gummies immediately, then you may lose a fraction of the CBD potency due to first-pass digestion. The hardest part for me is to resist the temptation to gobble them up, like real candy, since they are so tasty but most effective when absorbed through the mucous membrane of the mouth.
First pass digestion refers to the fractional loss of potency because of the CBD being absorbed into the bloodstream through the gut wall or liver.
How many CBD gummies should I take?
The great thing about CBD gummies is that they’re easy to dose. Typically first time users take 10–30mg of CBD, then start to increase dosing as needed.
Each person is different, but with most CBD gummies ranging from 10mg to 25mg each, leveling up for effectiveness is a simple task.
How soon will I feel the effects of CBD gummies?
Many people report to feel the effects of taking CBD gummies within 20–30 minutes. That was my personal experience and the sentiment among many CBD brands I reviewed.
But, everybody and their symptoms are different, so results will vary. The great thing about CBD gummies: it’s easy to pop a couple more to find your desired relief.
How long do CBD gummies effects last?
Safest answer: 2–6 hours. Ultimately, this question has many answers depending on how much CBD you took, how you took it and other outside “life” variables. Outside “life” variables can include:
- Diet: did you just stuff your face with a box of Cheez-its and now can’t feel anything but your belt holding on for dear life?
- Exercise: did you just run 5 miles and burn 1000 calories?
- Alcohol: are you finishing up bottomless mimosas and just trying to find your phone and keys?
- THC: did you just smoke and start to notice how soft your carpet is?
That being said, a good general rule of thumb is that the effects of taking 20–50mg of CBD should last from 2–6 hours when going about.
How long do CBD gummies stay in your system after taking them?
CBD gummies can stay in your system for a wide range of time based on a handful of variables. Typically CBD stays in your body for 2–5 days. However, some people can have CBD stay in their system for 3+ weeks.
The length of stay is dependent on how much CBD you’ve used, your body composition & metabolism, how often you use CBD, the method of ingestion and whether you took the CBD with food. A full stomach could slow the digestion process.
Can CBD gummies show up on a drug test?
CBD might show up on a drug test for a variety of reasons which include: product quality, differentiation errors and testing methods.
- Product quality: if you buy from an unreliable source or untrustworthy company, the CBD product could contain trace amounts of THC. This is also likely with full spectrum CBD products.
- Differentiation error: some drug tests can’t tell the difference between cannabinoids. CBD could show up as THC, which is not federally legal.
- Testing method: There are numerous types of testing methods, all of which provide different types of threshold outcomes (ie: urine, hair, blood, saliva, etc…)
Therefore, if your job & income depend on passing a drug test, it is recommended not to take CBD.
Can I overdose from taking too much CBD?
According to the National Institute of Health, there are 10 sub-categorizations for overdose. The top 3 “most popular” meanings for overdose refer to compulsive drug use, suicidal gesture and adverse reactions to recreational use.
To date, no study has demonstrated a lethal overdose in the top 3 categories by taking pure CBD. That being said, taking too much CBD can cause adverse reactions, which may include side effects such as: diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue and drowsiness. As Mark Twain said “Too much of anything is bad.”
In general, CBD is well tolerated in humans and side effects aren’t common. The World Health Organization reports “to date, there is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” The National Institute of Health also stipulated that CBD quantities up to 1500mg/day are reportedly well tolerated in humans.
What is the difference between CBD gummies and CBD oil?
CBD gummies are the confectionary “solid” product that can be infused with either full spectrum CBD oil, broad spectrum CBD oil or CBD isolate. CBD oil is the liquid form of CBD, that provides a higher concentration of CBD per ml.
CBD oil can either be dropped directly under the tongue for fast & efficient absorption or added to food & drink products like smoothies, coffee, cooking oil and cookies.
Is CBD the same thing as marijuana?
CBD is not the same thing as marijuana. CBD is a chemical compound that can be derived from either the hemp or marijuana plant. Both hemp and marijuana are in the cannabis family, however CBD derived from hemp is federally legal.
Is it safe to take CBD gummies?
Yes, it is safe to take CBD gummies however always buy from a trusted source. The best way to verify a trusted source is by checking COAs, customer reviews, top publisher websites (Medium, NYTimes, Time, Guardian), and the 10 ranking signals used for this article.
*Disclaimer: when introducing CBD to your routine, it’s always recommended to consult with your medical professional
What are the potential side effects of taking CBD gummies?
The potential side effects for CBD are most commonly: diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue and drowsiness. However, CBD may interact with various prescription medications differently, so always consult with your physician before making medical decisions.
Do CBD gummies have an aftertaste?
Some CBD gummies have a sweet aftertaste and some have a bitter hemp aftertaste. This will largely depend on the composition of the gummy. If the gummy was sprayed with CBD oil to increase its potency, then it will likely have a bitter, “hempy” taste.
If the gummy was infused, then like most candy gummies, the aftertaste should be sweet or slightly sour.
What should I expect as a first time CBD gummy user?
CBD gummies are a great way to introduce CBD into your lifestyle. They can be taken discretely and dosing is simple. The best way to take CBD gummies as a first time user is to take 20–30mg on an empty stomach while you’re not stimulated in another way (high or drunk). Be aware of other substances that you may be ingesting and follow the guidelines. I have noticed that my tendency is to eat them like candy, and I need to be mindful of the fact that they are a supplement.
Suck on the gummies for about 20 minutes until they fully dissolve. This will help the CBD get absorbed into your bloodstream faster through your sublingual tissue.
Within 20–60 minutes of taking the CBD gummies you should feel a general calming sensation. You should feel more balanced with clearer focus. One of the most common feelings after taking CBD is the reduction of racing, stressful thoughts. CBD won’t get you high or impair your motor skills so it’s safe to continue going about your normal routine.
Why might CBD gummies not work?
There are a handful of reasons CBD gummies may not work for someone on the first try. The largest reasons for this include: incorrect dosing, body composition, low-quality products, failure to give it enough time or external stimulates.
It’s normal to not feel anything the first time trying CBD gummies. Since CBD isn’t a stimulant and acts as a symptom-remover, CBD can actually be felt better when you stop taking it.
The most effective way to feel CBD, that I’ve found, is to take CBD regularly for a week and then stop taking it abruptly. It’s easier to feel the returning feelings of unease and stress that come rushing back once CBD has been removed from your daily routine.
What are full spectrum CBD gummies?
Full-spectrum CBD gummies contain all the essential oils, cannabinoids and terpenes from the hemp or marijuana plant. This also includes a threshold for THC, so be careful if you’re sensitive because THC is psychoactive and will get you high.
What are broad spectrum CBD gummies?
Broad spectrum CBD gummies contain all the essential oils, cannabinoids and terpenes from the hemp or marijuana plant without the THC content. Broad spectrum CBD has had THC removed through the extraction process, so broad spectrum CBD will not get you high.
What are CBD isolate gummies?
CBD isolate is CBD extracted in its purest form. CBD isolate only contains CBD and does not contain any of the supplemental essential oils, cannabinoids or terpenes. While CBD isolate is great, many believe that the entourage effect of the essential oils, additional cannabinoids and terpenes is notably important for the effectiveness of the CBD itself.
However, unlike full spectrum CBD and broad spectrum CBD gummies, CBD isolate gummies don’t produce the entourage effect. The entourage effect is when all the cannabinoids & terpenese work together symbiotically to promote increased efficacy.
What are some other top CBD gummy brands you recommend?
In addition to Sunday Scaries being my top pick, I enjoy other brands such as CBDmd, Charlotte’s Web, Fab CBD, Cheef Botanicals, CBDfx and CBDistillery.
- CBDmd makes well rounded CBD topicals and massage oils.
- Charlotte’s Web has fantastic CBD creams for skin revitalization.
- Fab CBD makes effective CBD sleep gummies.
- Cheef Botanicals has premium CBD flower (for smoking)
- CBDistillery has a great CBD pain cream
- CBDfx makes CBD vape pens that have good customer reviews
- Joy Organics has calming CBD softgels with curcumin
- Exhale Wellness has highly rated delta 8 gummies that have great customer reviews, but be careful because these gummies will get you high.
Is CBD a natural botanical?
Yes, CBD is considered a natural botanical because it is derived from a plant and used as an additive to ingestibles, topicals and beauty products. More specifically, CBD is known as a phytocannabinoid.
Are CBD gummies gluten-free?
Most CBD gummies should be gluten-free because they do not contain wheat, rye or barley. Gluten-based ingredients are not commonplace for confectionery manufacturing. However, CBD gummies may not be gluten-free certified if they are manufactured in a plant that also produces gluten-based products.
Are CBD gummies considered CBD edibles?
Yes, CBD gummies are considered CBD edibles. Other CBD edibles include CBD candy, CBD cookies, CBD brownies, CBD protein bars and CBD gum.
Do CBD gummies help with anxiety?
Harvard Health, the New York Times and National Institute of Health have all reported that CBD may help with symptoms of anxiety or that a majority of people are taking CBD for anxiety-related issues.
Clinical trials for CBD use as a proven remedy for anxiety are still underway, which is why CBD is not an FDA approved substance for anxiety. Therefore, while the most common use of CBD is related to helping with anxiety, no medical claims can be made.
Do CBD gummies help with stress?
Preclinical and clinical studies do show CBD may possess a wide range of therapeutic benefits which includes symptoms related to stress.
While no medical claims can be made yet, many people have introduced CBD into their daily routines to manage their stress levels.
Do CBD gummies help with sleep?
It’s been estimated that 42% of Americans take CBD to improve their sleep. Additionally, a study recorded by the National Institute of Health showed that 66.7% of patients improved their sleep scores within the first month of taking CBD.
Many CBD sleep gummies and CBD oils are also available on the market. FabCBD makes wonderful nighttime CBD sleep gummies with natural flavors and Sunday Scaries makes a very effective CBD and CBN sleep oil called Big Spoon. According to their website, Big Spoon is made with a special CBD extract that includes an enhanced CBN profile for added effectiveness.
Is CBD the same thing as CBN?
There are over 100 cannabinoids in the hemp plant. CBD and CBN are just two of them. CBN is different from CBD in that it has shown to have sedative properties. While more research is needed, it’s been suggested that CBN could help with symptoms of insomnia.
Will CBD gummies cause drowsiness?
One of the common side effects of CBD is drowsiness, most notably after taking large quantities (>300mg). When taking CBD gummies, make sure to check the other ingredients. Many new sleep-inducing CBD products have recently hit the market and incorporate melatonin, GABA, L-Theanine and Lemon Balm into their formulations, which also cause drowsiness. Natural botanical ingredients like lavender and aloe can also cause drowsiness.
Do CBD gummies help with pain relief?
One study suggested that anxiety wasn’t the primary reason for Americans taking CBD, but instead it was pain. In one study, 64% of Americans were taking CBD to combat pain.
What additional benefits do CBD gummies have?
It has also been suggested that CBD may play a future role in suppressing drug addiction. Through regulating the body’s neuronal circuits, CBD may be able to reduce addictive behaviors. No medical claims can be made yet as clinical trials are still underway.
Will CBD gummies get me high?
They could. If the CBD gummies are formulated with full spectrum CBD, then trace amounts of THC will be present in the gummy. In addition, the <.3% threshold is based on weight, not percentage of overall cannabinoid composition.
A traditional candy gummy bear weighs 2–3 grams, which is 2000–3000 milligrams. Therefore, if the legal threshold of hemp-derived THC is <.3% by weight, the gummy bear could legally contain 6–9mg of THC. 6–9mg of THC per gummy is a substantial amount of allowable THC.
Do CBD gummies contain THC?
If the CBD gummies contain a full spectrum CBD oil then yes. If the CBD gummies contain broad spectrum CBD or CBD isolate, then they should not contain THC.
That being said, labeling requirements aren’t always in-line with legislation and testing thresholds. While a label may say “0% THC,” gummies may contain under the “Limit of Quantity” testing from a lab or <.3% by weight and still considered compliant.
A good commonplace example of this is Tic Tacs. While the company has advertised its emphasis on low calorie mints, they are 90% sugar. Since the serving size is 1 mint, which is .49g of sugar, the FDA allows them to label 0g sugar on the label because it is under .5g.
Are CBD gummies legal in the USA?
Yes, CBD gummies using CBD derived from hemp are legal in the USA. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived CBD was reclassified from a Schedule 1 substance to an agricultural commodity. CBD derived from hemp is legal at the federal level.
Please note: state and county regulations are constantly changing with minor nuances, so always check with your local laws.
Can a senior citizen or person under 18 take CBD?
Everyone, including senior citizens, should check with their physician before taking CBD, especially if they are taking medications. CBD may interact with specific medications, so always consult your medical professional.
It’s not recommended for persons under the age of 18 to take CBD. While it’s not illegal to sell to persons under 18, it is also best practice for CBD companies to have disclaimers regarding this policy on their websites.
Are CBD gummies cruelty-free and Vegan?
The top 5 CBD gummies on this list are cruelty-free. They are not tested on animals. Concerns like this are evidence of positive progression in the CBD market. As CBD users become more educated, more high-quality standardizations will start to take place.
Gelatin-based CBD gummies are not vegan, but many vegan gummies are available in the CBD market. Look for pectin-based formulations.
Should someone take CBD if they are pregnant or breastfeeding?
CBD should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Research is still in its infancy, so the short term and long term effects of CBD are still unknown.
Where can I buy CBD gummies?
CBD gummies are available online and at regional retail locations. Because of the “grey” status connected to CBD ingestibles, most national big box retailers like Target, Walgreens and Walmart have not yet started stocking their shelves with CBD gummies. However, you may be able to find CBD topicals on their shelves as regulations are more defined for that vertical.
Can I take CBD on an airplane?
Yes, the TSA allows flying with CBD products that do not contain over .3% of THC on domestic flights. That being said, all final decisions are ultimately up to the TSA agents on-site.
It is not recommended to fly internationally with any CBD products due to Customs & foreign policies regarding CBD.
CBD Information References
- ISO/IEC 17025 standards: https://www.iso.org/ISO-IEC-17025-testing-and-calibration-laboratories.html
- High perfomance liquid chromatography in pharmaceutical analyses: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15629016/
- The Pharmacological Case for Cannabigerol: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33168643/
- Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity: https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RL32725.pdf
- Where Does America Get Its Hemp From? https://wayofleaf.com/hemp/where-does-the-u-s-get-its-hemp-from
- Warning Letters and Test Results for Cannabidiol-Related Products: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/warning-letters-and-test-results-cannabidiol-related-products
- Clint Eastwood Wins $6.1 Million CBD Lawsuit: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/03/movies/clint-eastwood-wins-cbd-lawsuit.html
- What You Need to Know About L-theanine: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/201708/what-you-need-know-about-l-theanine#
- Turmeric — Uses, Side Effects, and More: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-662/turmeric
- Reasons for cannabidiol use: a cross-sectional study of CBD users, focusing on self-perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep problems: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7893882/
- Penn Study Shows Nearly 70 Percent of Cannabidiol Extracts Sold Online Are Mislabeled: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2017/november/penn-study-shows-nearly-70-percent-of-cannabidiol-extracts-sold-online-are-mislabeled
- Sublingual and Buccal Medication Administration: https://www.healthline.com/health/sublingual-and-buccal-medication-administration#uses
- First Pass Effect: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551679/
- How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-cbd-stay-in-your-system
- Classification of overdose/self-poisoning presentations to an accident and emergency department: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3692635/
- CBD statistics 2021: https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/cbd-statistics/
- CANNABIDIOL (CBD) Critical Review Report: https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf
- Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22129319/
- Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
- What Are the Benefits of CBD? https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/style/self-care/cbd-oil-benefits.html
- Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
- Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326553/
- CBD vs CBN: What’s the Difference? https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/cbd-cbn-what-is-difference
- Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/
- FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
- Cannabidiol as an Intervention for Addictive Behaviors: A Systematic Review of the Evidence: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4444130/
- Tic Tac: https://www.riteaid.com/shop/tic-tac-fruit-adventure-200-mints-3-4-oz
- US Department of Agriculture 2018 Farm Bill: https://www.usda.gov/farmbill
- TSA Security Screening: What Can I Bring? https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/medical-marijuana
FDA & Medical Use Disclosure: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These products are not for use by persons under the age of 18, and should not be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s always recommended to consult with your physician before use, especially if you have a serious medical condition or use prescription medications.
