woman sitting at a desktop and placing cbd gummies from a bottle in the palm of her hand

What are CBD Gummies and Should I Take Them?

Read on to learn what CBD gummies are, how CBD gummies are made, and important information to know when buying and using them.

CBD gummies are sweet, chewy candies infused with cannabidiol or CBD.

CBD is an extract of the hemp plant, a non-intoxicating breed of cannabis. It's one of a multitude of cannabinoids, the naturally occurring compounds in cannabis that interact with the human nervous system, often with beneficial effects. If you’re curious how CBD compares to THC, it helps to understand what Delta 9 THC is and how it differs from CBD.

Currently, cbdMD makes three different types of CBD formulas you can enjoy: broad spectrum, full spectrum, and Delta 9.

  • Broad Spectrum - A hemp extract that includes many of the active compounds found in the hemp plant without any traces of THC.
  • Full Spectrum - A low-potency hemp extract that includes many compounds found in the hemp plant with traces of THC. You can explore more options in our full spectrum CBD and CBD+THC product collection.
  • Delta 9 - A high-potency hemp extract that includes many compounds found in the hemp plant and is infused with.

How Are CBD Gummies Made?

Once the extraction process is complete, CBD is a crystal that can dissolve in an edible medium. While different companies add their CBD in different ways, cbdMD adds its CBD while the ingredients melt in bulk. Depending on the formula, gummies contain either CBD isolate or hemp extract with other cannabinoids.

What are the ingredients in CBD Gummies?

Pectin is the ingredient that gives gummies their distinct texture. Pectin occurs naturally in the cell walls of fruits, and in the traditional process of cooking fruit mash with sugar water, it leads to the gelling process that creates jams and jellies. In modern times, it becomes isolated to create even stiffer products, like jellybeans and gummies.

The rest of the recipe consists of sweeteners, oils, and flavoring, which vary by the manufacturer. cbdMD's gummies include organic tapioca syrup, cane sugar, fruit juice, and sunflower oil. Currently, each gummy bottle has a mix of natural and artificial flavors: orange, strawberry, mixed berry, and tropical, making each serving feel like a small treat.

For extra zing, there's citric acid and malic acid, which naturally give the tang to lemons and sour apples, respectively.

Once the CBD goes into the melt, the resulting gelatinous brew is extruded, cut into cubes or other shapes, and coated. The smooth coating on our gummies is wax drawn from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm, giving our broad spectrum CBD gummies their familiar texture and finish.

Buying CBD Gummies

When you're ready to purchase CBD products, you want to follow the same guidelines we offer on what to look for when buying CBD oil, along with broader advice from our comprehensive guide to buying CBD gummies. CBD extraction types include Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, and Isolate.

  • Look for CBD that's made from hemp rather than marijuana, preferably grown in the USA. It's the American government that set the 0.3 percent THC limit, as well as standards for farming and processing, so you know what you're getting. Under federal law, hemp with no more than 0.3 percent THC is legal at the federal level, and most hemp derived cbd products follow that standard.
  • State laws still vary, and some states restrict the sale of CBD edibles despite that being legal federally. In the UK, CBD products were legalized for over-the-counter sale in 2017 and must contain less than 0.2% THC.
  • Make sure that it has the right amounts of CBD and THC, if any. A good vendor will post the results of a third-party lab's test of their products, which will show levels of CBD, THC, and other relevant substances, and this can help lower the risk of unwanted surprises if you're taking cbd alongside medications, prescription medications, or other medications.
  • Steer clear of providers making claims about CBD having curative powers for pain, anxiety, or other medical conditions. There's some exciting research on these subjects that may yet bear fruit, but no one can (or is legally allowed to) make definitive statements.
  • A note about our packaging: The number of milligrams listed on the bottle covers the entire bottle, so to find out how much there is in each gummy, you divide by 30. Therefore, in the 300 mg bottle, there is 10 mg per gummy, and in the 750 mg, there is 25 mg per gummy. These gummies are generally well tolerated, but if you take medications, it's still smart to check with a healthcare professional.

Using CBD Gummies

CBD gummies are certainly a tastier way to get your CBD than capsules or tinctures and give you a sugar bump to boot. They can also be more graceful to consume in public than either of those, which look more like you're taking medicine, or vapes, which can annoy your neighbors, and they fit easily into a broader routine of premium CBD products like oils, capsules, and topicals.

For that reason, many people enjoy taking them along to work, on trips, or anywhere outside the house. Popping a gummy or two before a stressful event can help you keep your cool.

Keep in mind, though, that when you eat your CBD, it takes longer to work its way into your bloodstream than if you used a tincture, patch, or vape. If you want it to hit at a specific time, give yourself at least an hour to absorb it fully.

If you're just beginning to use CBD, start slow, no matter how delicious they are. We recommend taking a couple of gummies a day for a few weeks to gauge how your body's reacting to it fully. You can always add more if you need to. If you're consuming CBD for slleep support or overall sleep quality, a consistent evening routine may also help with sleep difficulties. Before taking CBD, check that the product has a third-party Certificate of Analysis that verifies CBD potency and checks for contaminants. Many over-the-counter CBD products are unregulated, and the FDA does not regulate over-the-counter CBD products for wellness claims.

Gummies can also be a great supplement to other like a twice-daily capsule or a nightly dropper of CBD PM, our CBD oil tincture with melatonin, or even full spectrum CBD gummies with THC for sleep. You can use it for an extra boost if you feel a greater need that day for CBD's natural benefits. Although CBD is generally well tolerated, use extra caution when taking CBD with medications, including prescription medications and blood thinners.

Which cbdMD Gummy Is Right for You?

Depending on the desired support and benefit, you may find certain CBD gummies better-suited for your wellness routine than others.

Sleep and Calming

Sleep is one of the most crucial pillars of wellness, but it isn't always the easiest to achieve a good night's rest, and CBD's potential benefits may include better sleep and improving sleep quality. Those who need some help in catching Zzz's should look no further than our CBD Sleep Aid Gummies. They are loaded with soothing herbs, melatonin, L-theanine, GABA, and our Superior Broad Spectrum hemp extracts – making it easy for you to put the “sweet” in sweet dreams while supporting improving sleep. A 2023 trial found CBD may help with improving sleep quality, though further research is still needed.

CBD Gummies for Stress Relief & Wellness

These multitasking gummies give you a daily dose of CBD while ALSO providing other wellness benefits! Our CBD Immune Boost Gummies are infused with vitamins to support your immune health with Vitamins C, D, E, Zinc, and Selenium. You can also try our CBD Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies to pair your daily CBD with the digestive benefits of apple cider vinegar (without the vulgar taste of an ACV shot). Last but not least, our CBD Calming Gummies are perfect for anyone looking to Zen out by pairing herbs, ashwagandha, and multiple cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, and CBN) so you can enjoy the ultimate feeling of calm, similar in spirit to our full spectrum calming CBD + THC gummies designed for relaxation.

Full Spectrum Gummies

Use the widest range of cannabinoids available (with just a touch of THC) and get the FULL hemp experience with FULL spectrum gummies. Enjoy the same potential benefits as our broad spectrum formula but on a higher level. In full spectrum formulas, those trace amounts stay far below intoxicating levels in CBD-focused products. This is CBD+THC done right, and you can choose from options like our strong Delta 9 THC gummies for deeper relaxation or max dose nano Delta 9 THC gummies for fast-acting effects.

CBD gummies are non-intoxicating, with no psychoactive properties that cause a high, which sets them apart from some cannabis products and medical cannabis.

Have you ever heard of the entourage effect? How about experiencing it? Level up your wellness even more with our high-potency full spectrum Delta 9 THC gummies. Each gummy gives you 10 mg of Delta 9 THC and 50 mg of CBD; this is one way cbd works with the endocannabinoid system to support feel-good balance, similar to our balanced Delta 9 THC Elevate gummies with equal parts CBD and THC.

Have You Tried CBD Edibles?

CBD gummies can be a discreet and delicious way to get your CBD intake. As always, consult your doctor before using hemp gummies or any CBD product.