Best CBD Gummies - 2019 Buyer's Guide and Top Picks

People are taking CBD (cannabidiol) to help relieve pain, improve sleep, and treat anxiety. They are buying CBD capsules, oils, vapes, and edibles to achieve this relief. And while clinical research on the efficacy of CBD across applications is limited, anecdotal evidence is strong.

But it’s hard to know what CBD gummies to buy. Especially in the edible category where everything looks tasty. It’s also hard to know how much to take, how long they take to work, and what brands are best.

So, let’s talk about CBD gummies. In this article we’ll explain to you what these edibles are, how to pick the right one for you, and how to get a proper dose.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in cannabis. It exists in marijuana and hemp. We’re focused on CBD as a derivative of the hemp plant. Cannabinoids like CBD work by empowering your endocannabinoid system to regulate physiological and cognitive functions like appetite, anxiety, mood, pain-sensation, and inflammation.

• You can read more about how CBD works here
• You can read more about the benefits of CBD here
• You can learn more about the types of CBD products here

If you talk to someone who has studied cannabis, they will tell you that cannabinoids (or phytocannabinoids, in plants) were part of the human diet for a very long time, dating back centuries. Your body even produces its own cannabinoids that are called endocannabinoids. Adding cannabis derivatives to your wellness plan gives your body more cannabinoids to use.

Benefits of CBD

People are taking hemp-derived CBD because it is an easy-to-use dietary supplement that may offer the healing potential of cannabis without the high. Many of us have heard of the medical applications of marijuana but we can’t get high each time we feel an ache or get overwhelmed. CBD-infused gummies simplify the delivery process and can ease many people into their first experience trying CBD.

Our Top CBD Gummies Picks

How to pick the right CBD gummies

Edibles are a mainstay of the cannabis community. They are a discrete and tasty option that many people love. CBD edibles come in many forms, too. There are gummy bears, chocolates, caramels, and hard candies, to name a few. The great thing about CBD gummies, specifically, is that you can achieve a relaxing feeling without the psychoactive effects of a gummy that contains THC.

But the tricky thing about gummies is knowing how much to take. We have said that CBD works differently for everyone, and this is especially true for edibles.

When it comes to edibles, your metabolism is another variable in the equation. CBD gummies take effect when they are digested, and everyone metabolizes food at different rates.

If you digest slowly, a gummy may take a while to work but the relief can linger for a long time. For others, an edible may hit them quickly and dissipate soon. Everyone is different.

The best way to vet a CBD brand is to:

• Look for test results: All brands should post recent, detailed test results on their website. Because testing is unregulated and irregular, Remedy Review does its own testing. If we have recently tested a product and it passed, you’ll see the Remedy Review Seal.  
• Call the brands: A brand should stand by its product. Some brands offer full refunds if you’re not satisfied. If it’s hard to get ahold of a real person at a cannabis brand, move on to another. There’s plenty of caring people out there who want to help you get better.
• Do some math: Look closely at price and CBD content on edibles. If you’re buying gummy bears that have 1mg of CBD each you might need to eat 20 to feel any relaxation. If you’re taking CBD to sleep, you don’t want to eat a bag of gummy bears before bed.

To help us compile this buyer’s guide we spoke with

• Product managers
• Consumer advocates
• Patients and consumers

The common theme of all our conversations is that buyers need to be careful. You should do your research and try multiple brands. CBD as a market is growing much faster than regulations or oversight. It’s up to consumers to protect themselves.

Note

You should consult a professional when making decisions about your health, especially if you have a pre-existing medical condition. You should also know that despite strong anecdotal evidence to support the impact of CBD, clinical trials are limited and these products have not been evaluated by the FDA. We aim to be a measured voice, to help you get good info. But our advice is editorial—not medical. Talk to your doctor.

Our Review Methodology

People are taking CBD gummies for sleep, pain, and anxiety. They are looking for relief. We believe products with this kind of health potential should be safe and of great quality. We also believe the brands that make edibles should be transparent.

We also understand comparing brands is difficult. That’s why we want to point out 6 Core Principles that you can use to easily review CBD oil brands. Use these key differentiators to make simple, personal decisions about what CBD brand is right for you.

These are the 6 things we believe customers should use to compare CBD brands and find the best CBD gummies.

But this information only provides a foundation. We’ve added an additional layer of scrutiny to the buying process.

Once you narrow your list of brands, consider some other things.

Is the CBD gummy full-spectrum or an isolate? We believe full-spectrum products have greater therapeutic value. Some people talk about the “entourage effect,” or multiple cannabinoids working together. Experts we talk to support the idea of whole-plant therapy. Look for brands that believe in full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD.

Does this brand operate in a state where marijuana is legal? States that have legalized marijuana have more standardized regulations. The industry in these places has infrastructure and processes in place. States that only allow limited cultivation of industrial hemp simply have less resources to scrutinize product development. 

Do I want a brand that does one thing great or has everything I need? Consider product diversity. Some people like to shop brands who have a very narrow expertise. Other people like access to a wide variety of CBD products all in one place. The main thing to look out for is white labeling. Is the company who sells everything accountable for the manufacturing of those products or are they a storefront?

Does this brand have assistance programs and military discounts available? Medicine and supplements are expensive. We like seeing brands who make access to their products easier.

How much CBD is in a gummy?

First, it’s important that you understand product concentrations.

Concentrations vary from 1 mg CBD per gummy to 25 or 50 mg each.

If a bag of gummies has 500mg of CBD in a 30 count bottle, you can get an estimate of the number of milligrams per gummy bear. In this case about 17 mg in each.

Other times you will see brands list the milligrams in a “serving.” Often a serving correlates to one CBD gummy.

Take time to get your dose right

Dosing guidelines are limited. The best advice is to start low and work your way up to a dose that is right for you. One online resource suggests 1-6 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of body weight. So a 200-pound man might take 20 to 120 mg of CBD. This could be broken out through the course of a day.

Consider concentration when dosing for different conditions. Dosing for anxiety (regular, lower doses) may be very different from dosing for sleep (single, higher doses). That’s not medical advice. It’s what we hear from people who use CBD.

Dosing is the #1 question brands get. It’s the question we get most often. This point can’t be overstated: there is no clear or prescriptive answer.

How your body reacts to CBD is unique. How your body reacts to edibles is especially unique. Also, whether you want to “feel relaxed” or simply take a daily supplement is up to you. A capsule may give your body cannabinoids that steadily absorb into your body over time. A CBD vape you’ll feel right away. Oils are closer to vapes in how quickly they work, but they take time to get into your system. Don’t immediately take more. The impact of CBD may be cumulative.

How to find the best CBD gummies

Like most other CBD edibles, gummies are made by breaking down industrial hemp plants and extracting their valuable active compounds. Heat is an important factor in this process, but temperatures that are too hot can degrade the amount of CBD that actually makes it into a gummy. Temperatures should not exceed 200 °F during the creation of CBD-infused gummies, although it’s very hard for consumers to find out how a particular product was specifically made. If you’re serious about your CBD consumption, contact reputable brands or search their websites to see if they have information about how their CBD gummies are produced.

Other than purchasing from a company that properly heats their CBD, here’s what else you can look for when choosing a CBD gummy that’s right for you:

• Non-GMO products with organic sugars, flavors, and natural colors
• Third party testing, which provides an accurate description of ingredients
• Clearly stated CBD potency so you know how many milligrams are in each gummy
• Whether the CBD was extracted from hemp or marijuana (each one is a different strain of cannabis, but marijuana has more THC)

CBD Gummies—What’s Real and What’s Fake

There’s a lot of misleading information on the internet that makes it even more confusing to find important details pertaining to CBD products. For example, several different websites claim that CBD gummies will take effect in a certain time frame. Some say it can take up to 2 hours, while others say you won’t feel anything from CBD until 4 to 6 hours after consumption. Clearly, there are some discrepancies that need to be addressed.

The real answer is that everyone has a different metabolism, and there is no guarantee that CBD will have a certain effect on you. Generally, you can expect CBD gummies to work faster on an empty stomach than after eating a big meal, but it could take anywhere from half an hour to 3 hours (possibly more) for your endocannabinoid system to absorb all of the CBD.

Once you eat a CBD gummy, it may not always be apparent when it has started to work. CBD doesn’t necessarily elicit a particular feeling, instead it reduces unwanted symptoms for a sense of overall well-being. The effects from a CBD gummy can last for hours, but exactly how long will depend on the potency of the product and how quickly your body absorbs the compound.

FAQs about CBD gummies

Is CBD safe?

According to the World Health Organization, CBD “is generally well tolerated, with a good safety profile.” Side effects of CBD are rare and minor, but you should speak to your doctor about how CBD may interact with any medications you’re currently taking.

Are CBD gummies legal in the United States?

In a word, yes, but there can be some confusion depending on where you live. For the majority of the country, it is legal to sell and purchase CBD hemp extract as long as the THC percentage is less than .3%, and you’re at the age of 18 or older.

Will I get high from eating CBD gummies?

No, CBD gummies are different than edibles made from marijuana and they will not get you high. There is little to no THC in these small treats. You may feel a sense of relaxation or notice that your symptoms have been alleviated, but you will not have any psychoactive effects like other THC-heavy edibles.

How many CBD gummies should I eat?

The answer to this question is going to be different for every person, and it will also depend on the type of gummies that you use. If you are new to CBD, start with gummies that have a smaller percentage of CBD, and only take one at a time. You won’t feel the effects of CBD until your digestive system has started to break down the gummy. For this reason, it’s important that you don’t ingest too much CBD at once. It won’t start to take effect until some time afterward, and after you eat a gummy there’s really no way to undo the digestive process once it has started.

Will I fail a drug test if I eat CBD gummies?

Drug tests are looking for THC, and CBD contains no more than 0.3% of THC. This makes it highly unlikely that you would test positive for marijuana on a drug test. Most CBD is derived from hemp plants rather than marijuana plants, which further decreases the likelihood that THC would affect a drug test. However, if you consume a massive amount of CBD, there is a chance that trace amounts of THC are present in your urine. This could result in a false positive, even though no amount of CBD produces psychoactive effects like THC. According to the U.S. Drug Test Center, as long as you take less than 2,000 mg of CBD in a day you should be safe.

If you’re still worried about a drug test and want to stay on the safe side, you can ensure that you’ll pass with THC-free gummies and CBD isolates. These products only contain cannabidiol, rather than other terpenes and cannabinoids from the cannabis plant.

Where can I buy CBD gummies?

It’s easy to find CBD hemp products all over the internet, just make sure that you are doing your research before purchasing anything that you intend to eat. Lab test results and accurate ingredient lists are a good place to start. This way you’ll know exactly how much CBD is going into your body, along with anything else that was used to make the gummies.