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Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Our editors tested and selected the best CBD gummies based on our quality, safety, and transparency standards and their experiences with managing pain, anxiety, sleep, and stress.
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.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has a variety of potential health benefits and effects, with more research on the way. CBD gummies are easy to dose, portable, discreet, and come in various flavors, making them a good choice for people looking to try CBD for the first time.
Our editors have tested all the gummies in this article and provided feedback to help make choosing and buying the best CBD gummies a little easier. Read on for our top picks.
We chose these CBD gummies based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. Every brand and product featured has been vetted by our team for medical and business standards. Each CBD gummy in this article:
has been hands-on tested and reviewed by an editor, who received the gummies for free; all opinions are our own
is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
is made by a company that discloses the source of its hemp
contains no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA
As a part of our selection process, we also considered:
the company’s certifications and manufacturing processes
product potency
overall ingredients
indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
Where available, we’ve included special discount codes for our readers.
Use the following criteria when buying CBD gummies:
CBD source
The first thing to consider when purchasing CBD gummies is the type of CBD used.
CBD isolate is pure CBD, with no other cannabinoids. While isolates are good 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 as a result of the entourage effect, which means that cannabinoids have a greater effect combined than 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 it 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.
Potency
Doses vary widely across CBD products, and it 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 one available — generally 2.5–5 mg — and increase from there.
Ingredients
There’s 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, as experts aren’t sure how CBD interacts with vitamins, minerals, or supplements.
Third-party testing
Currently, the FDA does not guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter CBD products.
However, to protect public health, the FDA can take action against CBD companies that make unfounded health claims. It’s important to do your research and find a quality product.
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 20–60, and they’re 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 your “just right” dose. You can consume gummies daily, but keep in mind that the effects of a gummy tend to last 4–6 hours.
Store in a cool, dark place away from sunlight.
Some prefer ingesting CBD by eating edibles like gummies. CBD gummies are offered in a variety of potencies. But generally, it’ll be about 30–60 minutes before the results begin, although it can take longer.
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, making their way to your liver.
From here, your liver metabolizes the ingredients before entering the bloodstream again and then finally making it to your brain.
This is when the results are generally noticed. Although everyone’s experience with onset time may be different. 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 nonintoxicating, meaning it will not get you “high.” It’s generally recognized as safe, and there are few side effects, though they do occur occasionally.
Possible side effects
fatigue
diarrhea
changes in appetite
changes in weight
Research from 2017 suggests that CBD may interact with liver enzymes and interfere with metabolizing other medications or breaking down toxins. Always consult a clinician before using CBD products, especially if you take any medications or supplements.
Additionally, keep in mind that some research suggests that consuming CBD with high fat meals could increase your risk of side effects. This is because high fat meals can increase CBD blood concentrations, which can increase the risk of side effects.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid CBD.
CBD prices reflect the costs involved in producing these products, including the growing of the hemp and the extraction process. Quality control and third-party testing also drive up pricing, as does the fairly limited supply versus the significant demand.
The best CBD gummies are ones made by transparent companies with strong reputations, ethical practices, and testing standards, as well as overall positive reviews from users. The gummies featured on this list are considered to be some of the best available.
After consuming a CBD gummy, it can be as soon as 30–60 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, as gummies have to travel through your digestive system before the effects can take place. 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 per day, 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 of THC, but there is always a chance that trace amounts could be included, which can result in a positive drug test. Full-spectrum CBD does include all the plant’s cannabinoids, meaning it contains THC. To be sure there is no THC in your CBD gummies, select an isolate — also known as pure CBD — option.
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 2.5–5 mg of CBD. Evaluate any effects as you slowly work your way toward finding the right amount for you: your Goldilocks dose. Wait up to a full 2 hours before taking any additional CBD.
Consult a clinician before taking CBD, especially if you’re currently on any other medication.
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.
