A quick overview of top CBD gummies
- Best overall: | Skip to review
- If you want deeper sleep: | Skip to review
- For mild relaxation: | Skip to review
- For easing body tension: | Skip to review
- If you need to calm racing thoughts: | Skip to review
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has thoroughly examined and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We verify health claims, assess ingredients, and review each brand’s standing before featuring products and services on Healthline.
To compile the items on this page, we looked at all CBD gummies that met our vetting standards. We then personally tried several to refine our recommendations further. Read more about how we test CBD products.
Healthline’s selections for the best CBD gummies
How we picked the top CBD gummies
We chose these CBD gummies based on measures we regard as solid markers of safety, quality, and openness. As part of our CBD vetting approach, we evaluate:
- how the gummies are produced, including ingredients, formulation, and overall quality
- relevant third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business conduct
- available lab results, including confirmation of CBD type and purity
- marketing and therapeutic assertions
We also personally tried all the gummies featured here so we could report on how they helped with sleep, relaxation, and reducing racing thoughts.
Learn more about our CBD testing process.
What to consider when picking CBD gummies
Use the following factors when shopping for CBD gummies:
CBD origin
The primary factor when buying CBD gummies is the CBD type, which falls into three categories.
CBD isolate is isolated CBD without other cannabinoids. While isolates are suitable for those who want to avoid THC, the process removes flavonoids and terpenes present in cannabis. That means the final product won’t deliver the full spectrum of potential benefits.
Broad-spectrum products include most cannabinoids and other cannabis constituents but typically contain no THC.
Full-spectrum products can include the plant’s entire cannabinoid profile, including THC. Full-spectrum formulations generally provide the most therapeutic value due to the entourage effect, where cannabinoids work together to produce stronger effects than when taken alone.
Your best option is a full- or broad-spectrum product made from organic hemp cultivated in the United States. U.S.-grown hemp is regulated agriculturally and is limited to 0.3% THC or less.
Avoid products that don’t state the CBD type — for example, ones listing only “cannabis extract” — as they’re best skipped.
CBD strength
Potency varies widely among CBD products, and strength can depend on the CBD type. For instance, a 5-mg full-spectrum gummy may feel considerably stronger than a 5-mg isolate gummy.
If you’re unsure about dosing, it’s wise to begin with the lowest available dose — typically 2.5 mg to 5 mg — and adjust upward as needed.
Ingredients
There’s more to gummies than the CBD itself — other ingredients can differ a lot. Watch for additives like artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
You might also want to avoid high-fructose corn syrup, and if you follow a vegan diet or have allergies, choose products that suit those needs.
Look for gummies made with organic, non-GMO components, real sugar, and natural flavorings. Although some CBD gummies include vitamins or adaptogens, experts aren’t certain how CBD interacts with vitamins, minerals, or supplements, so it may be prudent to avoid such combined formulations.
Third-party lab testing
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently does not vouch for the safety, effectiveness, or quality of over-the-counter CBD products. Only Epidiolex has FDA approval; other CBD products do not.
That said, the FDA can act against CBD companies that make unsupported health claims. It’s essential to research and select a reputable product.
Review the Certificate of Analysis (COA) to ensure the product has been tested for contaminants like heavy metals, pesticides, and mold. The COA also verifies that the product contains the amounts of CBD and THC listed on the label.
Be skeptical of companies promising dramatic results, and remember that individual responses vary. What works well for someone else may not work the same for you.
If one product doesn’t suit you, try another with different ingredients or a different CBD amount.
How to use CBD gummies
Gummies typically come in jars of 20 to 60, with most containing 5 mg or more of CBD per gummy. If you’re new to CBD, start with a 5-mg gummy. Some gummies can be split in half to take 2.5 mg initially.
Allow up to 2 hours to feel the full effects; if you think you need more, adjust until you reach the right dose. Gummies can be taken daily, but their effects usually last 4 to 6 hours.
Store gummies in a cool, dark location away from direct sunlight.
How CBD gummies produce effects
Some people prefer taking CBD as edibles like gummies. CBD gummies come in various strengths. Typically, it takes about before effects begin, though onset can be slower for some.
When you eat a gummy, it’s first absorbed in the digestive tract. The active compounds then enter the bloodstream and travel to your liver.
Your liver metabolizes those compounds before they return to the bloodstream and reach the brain.
That’s when most people notice effects, though onset varies between individuals. Taking a gummy on an empty stomach may produce effects faster than taking one with a full meal.
Safety guidance and potential side effects
CBD is non-intoxicating, so it won’t produce a “high.” Experts generally consider it safe, though side effects can occur in some people.
Possible side effects
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- changes in appetite
- weight fluctuations
2017 research indicates that CBD may affect liver enzymes and interfere with how other medications or toxins are metabolized. Always consult a healthcare provider before using CBD products, especially if you take medications or supplements.
Additionally, some evidence suggests that consuming CBD with high-fat meals could raise the risk of side effects because such meals can boost CBD blood levels.
Avoid CBD if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Comparing the best CBD gummies we tested
CBD gummiesBest forTester-reported effectsCBD type and dose per gummyPrice and discount codesoverallgreat flavor, quicker sleep, less stress, mild pain relieffull-spectrum50 mg$49.99
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25% off your first order with “HEALTHLINE”if you want deeper sleepmore restful sleep, fewer interruptions, mild effectsbroad-spectrum
25 mg$54.99
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20% off with “HEALTHLINE”for mild relaxationreduced intrusive thoughts, improved focus, gentle calmfull-spectrum
25 mg$34.99
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35% off with “health35”for easing body tensionless muscle tension, general calmfull-spectrum
25 or 50 mg$49
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25% off with “HEALTH25”if you need to calm racing thoughtsfewer racing thoughts, relaxed mindsetfull-spectrum
30 mg$44
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Nuleaf membership discounts
Frequently asked questions about CBD gummies
Which CBD gummy brand performs best?
According to Healthline CBD gummy testers, Cornbread Hemp’s Full-Spectrum CBD gummies rank as our top overall pick. Testers noted these gummies helped lower stress and anxiety and improved sleep, and they praised the flavor for masking hemp’s taste.
What is the strongest legal CBD gummy?
The most potent gummies we recommend are the Cornbread Hemp Gummies, which can contain up to 100 mg of CBD and as much as 4 mg of THC.
If you prefer broad-spectrum options, we suggest CBDfx Mixed Berry Gummies, which offer up to 100 mg of CBD without added THC.
How long until CBD gummies take effect?
After eating a gummy, effects may start as soon as 30 to 60 minutes or may take a couple of hours to appear.
How do gummies compare with CBD oil?
Gummies typically take longer to produce effects than CBD oil because they must be digested first. If you want quicker absorption, opt for CBD oil.
How many gummies can you take each day?
That depends on the specific product. Some gummies are higher-dose and intended to be taken once daily, while lower-dose products may be taken incrementally as you determine the amount that works for you.
Do CBD gummies contain THC?
Some CBD gummies are THC-free, but trace amounts can still be present and may cause a positive drug test. Full-spectrum CBD includes all cannabinoids from the plant, which means it contains THC.
To ensure no THC is present, choose an isolate (pure CBD) product.
Is CBG more potent than CBD?
CBG is a minor cannabinoid and is not as abundant as CBD, so it’s generally not considered stronger. It’s most plentiful in young cannabis and hemp plants, while mature plants have higher CBD and THC levels.
Some 2022 research suggests that CBG may have a stronger effect on pain receptors in some contexts.
What are key benefits of CBG?
Research indicates cannabigerol (CBG) may have anti-inflammatory properties, act as an appetite stimulant, and potentially help with anxiety. It might also show promise for conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
However, additional research is necessary to substantiate these findings.
Takeaway
Cannabidiol (CBD) may offer health benefits, and gummies are a convenient entry point for those curious about CBD. Opt for full- or broad-spectrum products derived from organic U.S.-grown hemp, and verify third-party testing for quality.
Begin with a small amount — about 2.5 mg to 5 mg of CBD — and assess effects as you gradually find your ideal “Goldilocks dose.” Allow up to 2 hours before taking more CBD.
Talk with a healthcare professional before trying CBD, particularly if you’re taking other medications.
Healthline retains editorial control over this article. Any potential uses for the products listed are not claims made by the manufacturers. The information here is general in nature and is not a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages discussing treatment choices with your clinician.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act’s definition of marijuana, making certain hemp-derived CBD products with under 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. CBD products with more than 0.3% THC still meet the legal definition of marijuana and are federally illegal. State laws vary, so check state regulations, especially when traveling. Also note the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and product labels may sometimes be inaccurate.
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