Best CBD Gummies & Edibles 2024
CBD gummies are a discrete and delicious way to enjoy cannabidiol anytime, anywhere you go.
CBD, when taken in the right dosages, is said to provide relief from various symptoms. Most people take CBD oil for anxiety and stress, but studies have shown a wide range of conditions that can potentially benefit from CBD oil. The good news is that you don't even have to vape to enjoy the benefits and effects of CBD. Although vaping CBD is one of the most popular and effective ways to get your daily dose, there are a number of other ways, which include CBD edibles, usually in the form of gummies.
CBD gummies are a fun and discreet way to take cannabidiol. Let’s say you’re in a place where you are not permitted to vape. It might look awkward dropping a CBD oil tincture under your tongue in public. With these CBD-infused snacks, you can just pop them in your mouth anywhere you go without the stigma of using a hemp-derived product. If you prefer vaping it, see our full guide on how to vape CBD oil properly and effectively.
Why use CBD gummies?
Here are the most common reasons why people enjoy CBD gummies:
Gummies are convenient, tasty, and make precise dosing a piece of cake. In fact, taking CBD is as simple as eating a piece of candy, and who doesn't like candy? Gummies are innocent and discreet—which is ideal for beginners. Most importantly, they provide access to a range of benefits and effects that come with CBD that promote relaxation and balance. People often take CBD gummies for pain, anxiety, and stress management—some brands may even incorporate other ingredients, like melatonin, for an effective and natural sleep aid. High doses of CBD alone are said to help promote rest and better sleep.
The downside of gummies is that they are not as effective as vapes and tinctures in terms of bioavailability. The bioavailability of edibles is significantly lower since the CBD has to travel through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream. On the other hand, ingesting CBD provides a more controlled release with long-lasting effects. Apart from that, gummies are not so practical for extremely high doses since they generally contain 10-30 mg CBD each.
Most gummies generally contain sugar, which can be an issue for diabetics and people on carb-restricted diets. There are some that utilize sugar-free sweeteners. Some CBD gummies may also have a hemp-like aftertaste, especially if they incorporate full-spectrum hemp oil. If that’s an issue for you, stick with CBD isolate-based gummies or switch to a good CBD capsule or flavorless tincture.
Types of CBD gummies
Here are the three main types of CBD gummies available:
All CBD gummies (and CBD products in general) fall into three major categories; full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate-based.
Full spectrum CBD gummies
Broad spectrum CBD gummies
Isolate
Lastly, isolate-based CBD gummies are formulated with a powder that contains 99% pure CBD. Isolate gummies tend to taste better, but they don't tap into the full potential of the hemp plant. For the best possible results, a high-potency, full spectrum (or broad spectrum) gummy is going to be your best choice.
To learn more, see this guide to CBD isolate vs full spectrum CBD.
Hemp gummies vs CBD gummies
People often confuse hemp gummies with CBD gummies, but these are two different kinds of edibles. The main difference between them lies in the active ingredients: CBD gummies contain cannabidiol (often along with other cannabinoids) while hemp gummies contain hemp seed oil (and no cannabinoids).
Hemp gummies are often used as a dietary supplement, as hemp seed oil comes with its own long list of health benefits. But if you want to add CBD to your regime, make sure you double-check that you are actually buying CBD gummies. It should be clearly stated on the package as well as on the ingredient list.
Finding the best CBD gummies
First, you want to make sure you're purchasing from a reputable vendor. There are many products out there advertised as "hemp gummies." Many of them are actually scams! These gummies may contain synthetic chemicals or pesticides, or are made with hemp seed oil which doesn't even contain any CBD—don't fall for it. Always stick with brands that perform third-party lab testing and have positive reviews for their products. Some of them provide these lab test results on their website, so you can browse before you buy. If you're buying it in a store, check for a QC code that you can scan and obtain this information.
The prices for CBD gummies can be misleading. Not all gummies contain the same amount of CBD per gummy, or utilize the same quality hemp extracts. The good news is that if you break it down by price per milligram, it will make it easier to compare across brands. Just divide the price of the bottle by the total amount of CBD in mg. (You may need to first determine that by multiplying the amount of CBD per gummy by the number of gummies per bottle if the total is not already displayed on the label.)
Price ÷ total mg CBD per bottle = CBD price per mg
Example: If a bottle of gummies contains 300 mg CBD in total and it costs $59.99, the price per mg of CBD will be $0.20. Generally, the higher the quantity, the cheaper it will work out.