CBD gummies are a tasty way to ingest cannabidiol, a compound from the cannabis plant sought for its potential to support relaxation, mood, healthy joint mobility, and normal inflammatory response, among other benefits.
These gummies are a good option for beginners wary of the distinct grassy, hempy taste associated with ingesting CBD oil. While CBD gummies are popular for their taste and convenience, it's crucial to remember that the CBD industry remains something of a wild west. It’s important for your own peace of mind to ensure you are choosing products from reputable brands.
What Are The Benefits of CBD Gummies?
Infused with CBD oil, these gummies hold the potential wellness properties of CBD in a bite-sized treat. Here are some potential health benefits associated with the best CBD gummies:
CBD for Inflammation: Supporting Normal Inflammatory Response
CBD's potential role in supporting a healthy inflammatory response has been central to multiple scientific investigations.
In a comprehensive review by Mechoulam et al. (2007), the therapeutic prospects of CBD, especially its anti-inflammatory properties, were highlighted, shedding light on the vast potential of this cannabinoid for chronic pain and ailments related to inflammation [1].
CBD for Sleep: Supporting a Healthy Sleep Cycle
Many things contribute to tossing and turning at night, including stress, unrest, and physical pain. In 2019, The Permanente Journal performed a study in which they gave 72 people experiencing sleep issues just 25 mg of CBD each day. Within one month, 66.7% reported better sleep [2].
CBD for Mood: Potential Relaxation Benefits
CBD's ongoing studies hint at its potential to support mood regulation, especially by influencing the endocannabinoid system, which plays a key role in managing our fight or flight response [2,3].
For those seeking to extend the benefits of mood regulation into their personal and intimate experiences, consider the use of CBD intimacy gummies, and THC gummies for sex, which are infused with natural pleasure-enhancing ingredients like maca root and epimedium, to enhance relaxation and connection during such moments.
CBD for Joint Health: Supporting Joint Mobility
CBD has become a popular choice among individuals seeking to support healthy joint mobility, especially in the context of CBD Gummies for joint pain.
And while there isn't FDA approval for over-the-counter or online CBD products to relieve pain, the anecdotal accounts speak for themselves.
However, there are also studies that highlight the health benefits of CBD in this particular area.
For instance, a study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine highlights that CBD significantly reduces chronic inflammation and pain in some mice and rats [4]. Another study published in the European Journal of Pain found that topical CBD application may help reduce pain and improve sleep for people with osteoarthritis [5].
CBD for Pain: Supporting Pain Management
One of the primary reasons individuals turn to cannabis-derived CBD products is the compound’s potential role in pain management.
Studies are discovering CBD's potential in reducing chronic neuropathic pain, such as multiple sclerosis, which is often difficult to treat [6]. While all this research is exciting, it's still important to approach CBD as one tool among many for pain management.
CBD for Brain Health: Possible Neuroprotective Benefits
Exploring CBD's benefits goes beyond pain relief. Many now use CBD gummies for nerve pain not just for immediate relief but also for CBD's potential neuroprotective effects, adopting a holistic approach to health that values overall well-being alongside symptom management.
One of the emerging areas of research regarding CBD is its potential neuroprotective properties. The nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, plays a pivotal role in bodily functions. Protecting it is crucial for overall health and wellness.
A study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology investigated CBD's effects on neuroinflammation and its potential protective effect against the early inflammation-induced death of neurons. Their findings suggest that CBD may offer neuroprotection against inflammation's detrimental effects in a certain neurodegeneration phase [7].
CBD in the health and wellness space still requires much more research and human studies to understand the exact mechanisms and practical applications of these early studies.
Benefits of Hemp Gummies
If you're interested in CBD gummies for relaxation, stress relief, or sleep support, you might also be curious about hemp gummies. While they both come from the hemp plant and have similar names, they are not the same.
CBD gummies contain cannabidiol, or other cannabinoids, which may provide wellness benefits. Hemp gummies, on the other hand, are made from nutrient-rich hemp seed oil, which does not contain cannabinoids. Hemp gummies focus on delivering nutritional benefits, which may offer support for heart, skin, and immune health.
Main Benefits of Hemp Gummies:
- Essential vitamins and minerals
- Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
What Do CBD Gummies Do to Your Body?
CBD interacts with the body through the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is intricately tied to our central nervous system. This system plays a key role in regulating a variety of bodily functions, including mood, pain perception, and appetite.
Effects of CBD Gummies
After taking CBD gummies, people's experiences can vary considerably.
For many, there's a noticeable sense of calm, a deeper relaxation, and even sleepiness. Some may find relief from persistent discomforts or chronic pain. Yet, for others, the impact might be subtler, manifesting as a mild shift in mood.
Most individuals begin to feel the effects of CBD gummies within 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. As for how long the effects last, it's typically in the range of 4 to 8 hours, although this can vary based on factors like metabolism, body weight, and dosage.
Do CBD Gummies Work?
CBD gummies work, but you have to make sure you're buying real CBD gummies.
The number one way to make sure your CBD gummies work is to take a look at the 3rd party lab tests. 3rd party lab tests are conducted by an outside agency that verifies the active ingredient, CBD, and other cannabinoids in the product. It will also indicate the CBD potency (the mg of CBD in each gummy).
For example, we've attached our 3rd party lab results for our 45 MG full spectrum CBD Gummy Squares below.
These lab tests verify that, indeed, one of our 45 mg gummy squares contains a total of 2.00 mg THC (under the legal THC limit of 0.3%), 43.97 mg CBD, and 49.58 mg total cannabinoids (a total that accounts for 5.61 mg of full spectrum cannabinoids like CBG, CBG, and more).
By viewing 3rd party lab tests, you'll be able to verify, based on cannabinoid content, whether or not your CBD gummies will work.
Do CBD Gummies Get You High?
No — as CBD is non-psychoactive, hemp-derived CBD products don't induce the same “high” as you would experience with THC-focused products. However, full spectrum CBD products will contain trace amounts of THC (required by law to contain less than 0.3% THC). This amount of THC in a CBD gummy is very small, but if you decide to take a large dose of a full spectrum CBD product, the likelihood increases that you could experience mild psychoactive effects.
If you are concerned about experiencing a high or consider yourself to be THC sensitive, opt for a THC-Free Broad Spectrum CBD extract instead.
CBD Gummies: Side Effects
While negative side effects of CBD gummies are not common, here are some signs to look for that may be considered an adverse reaction to CBD:
- Dry mouth
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Low blood pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Remember, these are not considered common reactions to CBD and are most commonly seen in individuals unfamiliar with nutrient-dense foods or herbal medicine or who are new to CBD. Always prioritize safety and informed decision-making when considering CBD products.
Taking CBD gummies made with high-quality ingredients in healthy individuals is perfectly safe. Negative side effects with the use of CBD gummies are highly unlikely as CBD is a compound that has been shown to be commonly well-tolerated and non-toxic.
Factors to Consider When Choosing CBD Gummies
When searching for the best CBD gummies to fit your needs, you might be enticed by a special fruity flavor or a unique gummy shape. But there is more to consider, including extract type, strength, and quality assurance.
Extract Type
The three most popular hemp extracts today are isolate CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD, and Full Spectrum CBD. These three extracts boast high CBD content but often differ in their capabilities, nutrients, and quality.
A CBD isolate extract contains the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) and nothing else. It's the most widely available CBD extract because manufacturers can typically purchase it at a lower price.
Isolate CBD can often help products attain higher concentrations of CBD. But higher concentrations don’t mean much if that CBD hasn’t been proven to be high quality, as verified by proper quality assurance (lab testing) measures.
The majority of CBD gummies that you'll find online will be made with CBD isolate powder. This is likely because customers are often so excited by CBD gummies that they don’t take the time to verify the type of CBD being used.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD is the newest extract to hit the market and falls somewhere between Isolate CBD and full spectrum CBD. It contains all of the beneficial cannabinoids with the exception of THC.
Isolate CBD is the most processed form of CBD, while broad spectrum is less processed, and full spectrum features whole plant matter. Broad spectrum CBD goes through a special extraction process in order to eliminate tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), leaving the bulk of CBD's original cannabinoids untouched.
Full Spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD is the market's least processed form of hemp, often called the "whole-plant" extract. Full spectrum extracts are essentially the leaves, stalks, and flowers of the hemp plant squeezed into a bottle! Therefore, this extract features the over 100+ beneficial cannabinoids of hemp working together to maximize effects.
Strength
It’s important to know which strength CBD gummies will best suit your individual needs and experience level. Our Neurogan CBD gummy squares come in select doses to suit CBD fans of all experience levels. See our dosing guide for CBD gummies below:
- 1350MG: At 45 mg per square, it’s perfect for those with prior CBD experience who can handle a potent dose. Those with no experience to CBD, can start with a half gummy.
- High Potency 3600MG: At 120 mg per square, it's the highest potency CBD gummy on the market. For experienced CBD users only, use with caution. Available in three flavors: Wild Berry, Fresh Watermelon or Watermelon and Wild Berry.
Quality Assurance
Houston, we have a problem. The word on the street is that finding CBD you can trust is becoming more and more difficult as it gains popularity. In order to separate the good from the bad, you'll need to make sure the CBD gummies you buy are certified and tested.
For example, if you find CBD gummies on Amazon, it's likely they weren't produced within quality standards. The two most important measures you'll want to check for are that your CBD gummies are produced in a GMP-certified facility and that they are third-party laboratory tested.
Purchasing gummies from GMP-certified manufacturers helps you know that your gummies are safe, while third-party laboratory testing helps you ensure your CBD gummies contain CBD.
The Pros and Cons of CBD Gummies
CBD gummies have been praised by many for the joyful experience they provide those looking to benefit from CBD. However, they do have both pros and cons:
Pros of CBD Gummies:
- Pre-dosed: Each gummy has a consistent, pre-measured amount of CBD in each gummy.
- Portable and discreet: Easy to carry around and perfect for on-the-go use without drawing attention.
- Great taste: Comes in a range of flavours to suit everyone’s preferences.
- Longer-lasting effects: The effects of CBD gummies may last longer compared to CBD tinctures or oils due to a slower absorption rate.
Cons of CBD Gummies:
- Lower absorption rate: Due to digestion, gummies may not be absorbed as effectively compared to an oil or tincture (which are absorbed directly into the bloodstream).
- Slower onset time: Effects may take longer to kick in compared with other CBD products.
- Difficult to adjust dosage precisely: If you are needing to increase your dose by very specific MG, this can be hard to do as gummies usually come in fixed doses.
How CBD Gummies Can Benefit You
CBD gummies have undoubtedly carved a niche in the wellness world, combining the potential therapeutic properties of CBD with the familiarity and pleasure of a sweet treat.
From their potential to support a calm mind and mood regulation to offering a potential respite from discomforts, these gummies offer an accessible and enjoyable way to harness the benefits of CBD.
As with any supplement, it's crucial to research, choose quality products from reputable sources, and consult with healthcare professionals about usage. But for those seeking a tasty, convenient, and fun way to incorporate CBD into their daily routine, gummies could be a game-changer.
Resources:
- Mechoulam, R., Peters, M., Murillo‐Rodriguez, E., & Hanuš, L. O. (2007). Cannabidiol–recent advances. Chemistry & biodiversity, 4(8), 1678-1692.
- Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series. The Permanente Journal, 23.
- Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836.
- Xiong, W., Cui, T., Cheng, K., Yang, F., Chen, S. R., Willenbring, D., ... & Zhang, L. (2012). Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 209(6), 1121-1134.
- Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain, 20(6), 936-948.
- Langford, R. M., Mares, J., Novotna, A., Vachova, M., Novakova, I., Notcutt, W., & Ratcliffe, S. (2013). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of THC/CBD oromucosal spray in combination with the existing treatment regimen, in the relief of central neuropathic pain in patients with multiple sclerosis. Journal of neurology, 260, 984-997.
- Pellati, F., Borgonetti, V., Brighenti, V., Biagi, M., Benvenuti, S., & Corsi, L. (2018). Cannabis sativa L. and Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoids: Their Chemistry and Role against Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Cancer. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 1491.
