UK's 5 Best CBD Gummies of 2022
CBD gummies are a delicious, edible form of the popular hemp-derived supplement. Like CBD oil tinctures, they’re used to support overall health and wellbeing.
However, the British market is filled with dozens of CBD-infused gummy products, making it difficult to choose one that suits your specific needs To help you make an educated choice, we put together this list of our top picks for CBD gummies and a buyer’s guide.
What are CBD gummies?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 133 cannabinoids, the main active compounds found in the cannabis plant. Unlike its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD is non-intoxicating, so it doesn’t make people “high.”
CBD gummies are made by extracting cannabidiol from hemp, a type of cannabis plant with low THC concentrations. In most cases, this extract contains pure CBD, but can also include other beneficial hemp compounds.
The CBD is then blended together with standard gummy ingredients such as sugar, glucose or tapioca syrup, citric acid, flavouring, and a jelly-like ingredient such as gelatin or vegan-friendly pectin.
Are CBD gummies legal in the UK?
Yes, CBD gummies are 100% legal in the UK, provided they meet specific requirements. Most notably, CBD products cannot contain more than 1 mg of THC per container.
That’s because THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid capable of causing the “high” associated with smoking cannabis. However, the small amount of THC found in hemp and finished CBD products is not enough to cause mind-altering effects.
Best CBD gummies for 2022
The gummies listed below have met CBD Shopy’s quality assessment criteria, made in consultation with medical cannabis expert Prof. Michael Barnes. None of the brands we discuss paid or offered any incentive to appear on our list.
ZenBears CBD Gummies
ZenBears CBD Gummies are a homegrown British brand with a no-nonsense approach to quality manufacturing, These bears are pharmaceutically coated with a potent dose of 20mg CBD per bear are vegan-friendly & THC-free (so you won't get high nor fail any drug tests).
The CBD is extracted in an ISO-certified facility from hemp grown using organic farming practices in Oregan, USA. These gummies are further tested by an independent third-party lab for potency and safety. Each gummy contains 20 mg of pure CBD with natural fruit flavour. There’s a total of 30 gummies (600 mg CBD) per jar.
CbdMD CBD Gummies
The CBD gummies from cbdMD are simple yet effective. They come in two strengths: 10 mg and 25 mg of CBD, with a mix of orange, strawberry, raspberry, and tropical flavours. This way, you can choose the potency that works best for you.
Unlike other brands, cbdMD uses broad-spectrum hemp extract for all its products. Broad-spectrum preparations are more effective than CBD isolate and contain all of the same beneficial ingredients as full-spectrum ones, minus THC.
These gummies are made with natural ingredients and do not contain any additives. Each bottle contains 30 gummies for a total of 300 or 750 mg of CBD.
About cbdMD
CbdMD is a major American CBD company known to sponsor athletes in a variety of sports, including surfing, MMA, and American football. The company sources its non-GMO, organic hemp from Kentucky and Colorado, two states known for high-quality hemp cultivation.
This hemp is grown with organic farming practices and undergoes extensive third-party testing for potency, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and other contaminants.
CbdMD uses the industry-leading CO2 extraction method to produce THC-free broad-spectrum hemp extracts.
CBDistillery™ CBD Gummies
If you’re looking for effective, tasty CBD gummies without any extra features, CBDistillery™ is an excellent choice. These gummies contain 30 mg of CBD isolate per piece, which means they have zero THC.
We like these gummies because of their high dose: most competitor products contain only 5-15 mg CBD, which might not be enough to provide a significant effect for many people.
Each bottle contains 25 gummies with a mix of delicious fruity flavours, including raspberry-lemon, raspberry and strawberry. These gummies are free of gluten, vegan-friendly, and contain only natural ingredients.
About CBDistillery™
The Colorado-based CBDistillery™ is one of America’s top CBD brands. Founded in 2016, the company offers high-quality CBD products including CBD oils, capsules, gummies, topicals, and isolates at affordable prices.
CBDistillery™ sources their non-GMO, organic hemp from Colorado, the leader of the American hemp industry. This hemp is extracted using the advanced CO2 extraction method and tested for cannabinoid profile (potency) and pesticides.
CBDistillery’s products have been positively reviewed by thousands of satisfied customers.
Buyer’s guide to choosing the right CBD gummies
If you want to choose the best gummies, there are some factors to be aware of. Above all, you’ll want to be certain you’re getting a high-quality product that matches your CBD dosage needs and other preferences.
We’ve put together a quick guide to help you choose the right CBD gummies.
What types of CBD gummies are there?
CBD gummies can be made with regular or vegan-friendly ingredients. Like all CBD products, they’re available in three formulations: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate.
What strength should I take?
CBD strength refers to the concentration of CBD in your gummies. Better known as potency, this number is usually expressed in milligrams (mg) per gummy. Roughly speaking, CBD potencies can be divided into low (1–10 mg), medium (11–30 mg), and high (30+ mg).
There’s no consensus on the best dosage of CBD gummies due to a lack of scientific evidence. Besides, the correct dosage depends on multiple factors, such as body weight, tolerance, and the type of product you’re using.
The only official dosage recommendation comes from the FSA, which suggests a maximum daily intake of 70 mg CBD. We’re not aware of any risks from exceeding this limit.
Having said that, people new to CBD should start as low as possible. You can take one gummy or even half and assess how you feel. If you don’t notice anything, you can gradually increase the dosage until you start to feel the desired effects.
Do you want the entourage effect?
As discussed above, whole-plant hemp extracts are superior to CBD isolate due to the entourage effect. If you want to maximise the benefits of CBD gummies, you should opt for full or broad-spectrum products.
However, keep in mind that dosage matters as well. A high-dose CBD isolate gummy will likely be more effective than a low-dose full-spectrum one.
Important factors to consider for safety & quality
The British CBD industry is mostly unregulated, so it’s important to be careful when choosing products. We consulted with medical cannabis expert Prof. Michael Barnes to create our quality assessment criteria for selecting the best CBD gummies.
Here’s how we judge the quality of CBD products.
- Lab reports - Reputable CBD brands have their products tested by a third-party lab to confirm their potency and safety. These tests should be easily accessible by customers.
- Organic hemp - High-quality CBD products are sourced from organic, non-GMO hemp cultivated in regulated jurisdictions like Europe, UK & the U.S.A.
- Extraction method - The way CBD is extracted from hemp affects the effectiveness and safety of the final product. That’s why we look for brands that use ethanol or CO2 extraction, the two leading CBD extraction methods.
- Manufacturing standards - We look for CBD companies certified by international organizations like ISO and GMP, which confirms adherence to strict quality, safety, and consistency standards.
- Customer satisfaction - What people say about a brand and its products is also important. We take this into account by looking at customer reviews of CBD brands.
- Industry association - We look for companies active within the CBD & hemp industry, working together with associations, researchers, and doctors.
- Price - Although cost doesn’t necessarily reflect quality, it’s still an important factor to consider. We look for brands that offer effective CBD products at affordable prices.
CBD gummies vs oil
CBD oil and gummies differ in their absorption. CBD oil is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through blood vessels under the tongue, while gummies have to pass through the digestive system and liver before the CBD is absorbed.
Due to this, CBD oil has higher bioavailability (the proportion of a substance you take that is absorbed and has an effect) than gummies and also takes less time to kick in.
However, gummies have the advantage of convenience. Whereas CBD oil can feel like taking medicine, gummies taste more like candy. They’re also easy to use, can be used on the go, and provide precise doses of CBD.
Final Thoughts
If you’re shopping for CBD gummies, we’re sure our list has something that suits your needs. Before we let you go, here are some important tips to keep in mind.
It’s always best to consult your doctor if you’re taking CBD, especially if you’re using it for the first time. This is even more true if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have a serious medical condition, or take any medications.
Also, be aware that CBD and medical cannabis are not the same. In the UK, medical cannabis requires a doctor’s prescription and is used to treat specific disorders.
High-street CBD products, on the other hand, are considered food supplements. That’s why they’re available over-the-counter and cannot make any medical claims.
