Gummies are one of the most popular ways to consume CBD. These colorful, fruity little treats are sold in a variety of flavors and strengths and can be found in dispensaries across the United States.
But why are they so popular? What’s so special about CBD gummies?
Why are CBD Gummies So Popular?
In 2020, the US CBD gummy market was worth over $1.6 billion, and it has been experiencing close to 30% annual growth since then.
CBD gummies are one of the most popular ways to consume CBD, and here are a few of the reasons why:
They are Easy to Use
CBD oils are not complicated, but consumers are always looking for easier and faster alternatives, and you can’t get much easier than CBD gummies.
Just open the bottle, grab a gummy, and chew. You don’t need to worry about specific amounts and just need a general idea of how many gummies you should consume at a time.
They are Tasty
CBD gummies, just like regular gummies, contain sweeteners (including artificial sweeteners, syrups, and pure cane sugar) and flavorings. They are often made from concentrated fruit juices and sugars, making them just as sweet and appealing as regular gummies.
CBD oil doesn’t taste bad. But if you give people the choice between a bottle of water and a bottle of Coca-Cola, most will choose the latter.
Humans are also naturally drawn to edibles with bright colors and fancy names. It’s hard to resist juicy multi-colored gummies dusted with sugar and labeled with tempting names like “green apple”, “mixed berry”, “blue raspberry”, and “strawberry lemonade”.
They Look Like Regular Gummies
CBD gummies are great for consumers who don’t want the world to know they are taking CBD.
Maybe you’re a private person. Maybe you just can’t be bothered to explain yourself every time you need to take a serving. Whatever the reason, CBD gummies require much less explanation and can be taken quickly and easily throughout the day.
Of course, if you have children or nosey friends, you’ll have to fend off even more questions, “Ooh, candy, can I have one?”
You Know Exactly How Much CBD You Have Taken
With CBD gummies, you know exactly how much you are consuming and how much you need to consume.
There’s no chance of accidentally taking a drop too much or too little. Just check the label, see how many gummies you need, and then consume that amount throughout the day. It’s a very precise and hassle-free way of taking CBD, which is why CBD gummies are often recommended for beginners.
They are Safe
CBD is generally well-tolerated, and you shouldn’t have any issues with CBD oils, CBD gummies, or many other forms. But there are a couple of exceptions.
Smoking hemp flowers, for instance, could increase health risks, while vaping is generally considered to be a safer alternative, it’s far from a problem-free ingestion method.
With CBD gummies, as with other edibles and oils, there are no significant risks involved.
Are CBD Gummies the Best Way to Take CBD?
CBD gummies certainly have their benefits, but they are far from perfect. After all, if gummies were the best way to consume CBD there would be no need for oils and other CBD products.
Firstly, CBD gummies are usually more expensive. There are more ingredients and processes involved, after all.
The price you pay will depend on the brand and the quality of the gummies, but it often equates to around 10 cents per mg of CBD.
That’s not to say that you can’t find cheap CBD gummies and expensive CBD oils, but if all things are equal, the gummies are often more expensive.
CBD gummies may also take longer to work and your body may not process the CBD as easily.
What Should you Look for in A CBD Gummy?
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for premium CBD gummies:
What Type of CBD Do They Contain?
CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant, but it’s not the only compound in that plant. There are cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. Many of these compounds are found throughout nature and may combine to produce something known as the “Entourage Effect”, whereby the compounds work together synergistically.
The type of CBD you consume will determine how much of these additional compounds are in the end product.
Full-spectrum CBD gummies contain all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. CBD is still the main constituent, but there are trace amounts of many other compounds, including THC.
Broad-spectrum CBD gummies also contain all of those compounds, but without the THC.
CBD isolate contains only CBD.
When buying CBD edibles and other CBD products, always double-check that you’re getting the right extract for you.
For instance, if you are sensitive to THC or receive regular drug tests, you may be better off with gummies made from broad-spectrum CBD or pure CBD isolate. If you want all of the plant compounds with no exceptions, look for full-spectrum gummies.
What is the Serving and Value?
All CBD products list their total CBD content, as well as the mg of CBD per serving. When buying CBD gummies, focus on the quality of the CBD, the total mg of CBD in the bottle, and the price.
How much are you paying per serving and per mg? Is that price reasonable or are you paying over the odds?
What Else Do the CBD Gummies Contain?
Most CBD gummies are made with just a few basic ingredients, including sweeteners, flavorings, a gelling agent, and CBD drops.
Some products combine other ingredients to improve the results or create a tastier and more appealing gummy.
For instance, many of the best CBD gummies use herbs like lemon balm and lavender, aiming to create more synergy and provide specific reactions.
Others use refined sugars and artificial flavorings to create something more like candy gummies.
If you want something healthy, look for minimal ingredients with no artificial additives or refined sugars. As for the additional herbs and plants, these are generally okay, but they can become problematic.
Many brands add these ingredients just so they can use them in their advertising or claim to offer a unique product. In reality, they use such small amounts that they are unlikely to make a difference, and then they charge an inflated price.
If your chosen CBD gummy uses these extra ingredients, make sure they’re actually doing something.
Are CBD Gummies Good For You?
If you’re taking CBD gummies made from premium CBD oil and without any refined sugars, there is no reason why they can’t form part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Most CBD gummies use only organic ingredients to play on the “healthy” angle.
Finding USDA Certified Organic CBD gummies gives you the extra third party certification to ensure it’s not just marketing ‘organic’.
Even if they do contain sugars and artificial flavors, the fact that you’re consuming them in very small quantities means the extra calories and sugars will be minimal.
Can CBD Gummies Get You High?
You won’t get “high” from taking CBD gummies or any other CBD edibles.
CBD is not psychoactive and doesn’t produce the same results as THC. Broad-spectrum and full-spectrum CBD gummies contain traces of THC and while this is not enough to make you high, it might be enough to trigger a positive drug test.
