In partnership with CBD Shopy
In the last couple of years, CBD has exploded in popularity in the UK. One in ten people are already using a CBD supplement, and many more say they’re curious about its potential wellbeing effects.
CBD is most often taken in oil or capsule form, but people are increasingly turning to CBD edibles as a tasty alternative.
On the market today, you’ll find CBD in sweets, gummies, chocolates, lollipops, and even chewing gum!
Here, we’ll explain how they work, why you may want to give them a try, and share a handy list of our top five CBD edibles available to buy in the UK.
Why choose CBD edibles?
While CBD oil is very popular, not everyone is a fan of the oily texture or the strong, earthy taste. Others find that the dropper bottles are messy, or inconvenient, or inaccurate at dosing their CBD. And for those who prefer to be inconspicuous, it can be tricky to use an oil on the go.
CBD edibles solve all of these problems. You can take CBD gummies quickly, easily and discreetly wherever you are. Each sweet contains a pre-measured amount of CBD, so you know exactly how much CBD you’re taking. And of course, the biggest pro for us – they taste great!
How do CBD edibles work?
First, what exactly is CBD? It’s short for “cannabidiol”, a chemical called a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. CBD is extracted from the oil of the plant and used to make CBD edibles, oils and other CBD products.
When you chew on a CBD edible, much of the CBD is absorbed into your bloodstream via the blood vessels in your mouth. Once in your system, the CBD acts on a system called the Endocannabinoid System, or the ECS.
Not many people know about this system, but it’s incredibly important. It keeps everything in your body in a state of balance, regulating your appetite, sleep patterns, reproductive system, pain perception and mood, to name just a few.
Your ECS is controlled by your very own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids. When you eat a CBD edible, the CBD behaves a lot like your own endocannabinoids. That’s why we think that CBD can affect things like sleep, pain and mood, too.
Best CBD gummies, edibles and sweets
Best CBD gummies, edibles and sweets
1 of 51. ZenBears CBD Gummies
These delicious CBD gummy bears are your favourite childhood sweets with a health-conscious spin. They're made with organic, non-GMO hemp, 100% vegan ingredients, and delicious natural fruit flavours, including elderflower, lemon, orange, raspberry and sour cherry. ZenBears CBD gummies contain broad-spectrum CBD, meaning that when the oil was extracted from the hemp plant, all of the THC was removed. You still get all the cannabinoids, vitamins, fatty acids and other beneficial compounds of the hemp plant, which amplify each other's benefits to create what's known as the entourage effect. Each ZenBear packs 20mg of CBD, extracted using the gold-standard CO2 method and manufactured in an ISO-certified facility. And unlike many CBD gummies, ZenBears are pharmaceutically coated with CBD to maximise absorption in the mouth. That means you get more CBD for your money, and faster!
2 of 52. cbdMD CBD Gummies
Established in 2015, cbdMD is a top American brand known for its unique hybrid, non-GMO farming method. This has led to their hemp being widely regarded as some of the best in the country, and now you can enjoy it here in the UK too. cbdMD's gummies are broad-spectrum and certified THC-free, so you can benefit from the entourage effect without worrying about THC. They're available in three strengths – 10mg, 25mg and 50mg, so they're perfect for new and experienced users alike. Like ZenBears, cbdMD CBD Gummies feature all-natural ingredients. They use organic fruit and vegetable extracts to create their tasty tropical, orange, strawberry and raspberry flavours, and they use vegan-friendly pectin instead of gelatin. cbdMD CBD gummies are available from CBD shopy one of the UK's leading CBD retailers.
3 of 53. Pollen Soothe You CBD Gummies
New York brand Pollen is fairly new to the CBD world, but they've already built a solid reputation since they were founded in 2019. Their CBD gummies are made from quality Kentucky hemp and include 10mg of broad-spectrum CBD in every tasty sweet. Pollen promises their Soothe You CBD Gummies will do just that. They're designed to promote a feeling of calm and serenity, and with broad-spectrum CBD, they'll also deliver the benefits of the entourage effect. They do contain trace levels of THC, but at <0.003% max, this is far, far below the legal limit. Soothe You gummies come in a cute milk-carton-style package and feature gorgeous flavour combinations like grapefruit and honey, cherry and orange, and strawberry and citrus – all natural, of course! Vegans can enjoy too, as they feature zero animal-derived ingredients.
4 of 54. Provacan CBD Gummies
Provacan is a UK brand that prides themselves on their expert-led approach to making safe, effective, high-quality CBD products. They work closely with industry bodies, they're meticulous about manufacturing standards, and they personally test every single batch in-house. Provocan's commitment to quality is obvious in its products, with their CBD Gummies getting rave reviews from customers. They make the gummies using EU-grown hemp known for its potency, and they use strict extraction and processing methods to maintain the hemp's integrity. Unlike the other gummies on our list, Provacan's gummies feature full-spectrum CBD. That means that nothing, not even the THC, was removed from the hemp oil during processing. With all the chemicals of the oil present, you'll get the full power of the entourage effect, while staying under the legal limit for THC content. Each CBD gummy has 10mg of CBD. With all-natural, vegan ingredients and natural fruit flavourings, they can be used by everyone to promote a sense of wellbeing and calm.
5 of 55. CBDistillery CBD Gummies
CBDistillery is one of the most trusted CBD brands in the US, and for good reason. As one of the only companies to achieve the coveted U.S. Hemp Authority certification, they've proven that they consistently go above and beyond when it comes to safety and quality. CBDistillery cultivates their organic, non-GMO hemp in their native Colorado, the centre of the US CBD movement. Luckily for us, their super-popular CBD Gummies are available here in the UK too! CBDistillery's gummies are made with CBD isolate, which means they don't contain any other compounds from the hemp plant, including THC. While they do lack the entourage effect, they make up for it with 30mg of CBD per gummy – the most potent pick on our list. You might expect them to be the most expensive, too, but the company is known for their commitment to keeping prices affordable. Gram for gram, these CBD gummies are among the best in terms of value. As you'd expect from such a popular brand, CBDistillery's CBD Gummies taste great too. They come in three delicious flavours -- raspberry, raspberry-lemon, and strawberry – and they're made with all-natural, vegan, gluten-free ingredients.
CBD FAQs
Are CBD edibles legal in the UK?
Yes! This is a common misconception about CBD, but under United Kingdom law, CBD edibles and other CBD products are legal to buy as long as they meet two conditions:
The CBD must come from approved strains of hemp with less than 0.2% THC content.
The container must have no more than 1mg of THC in total.
THC is another cannabinoid found in hemp. You might know it as the chemical that gets you high if you smoke cannabis, but don’t worry – you won’t get high from CBD edibles! Those legal limits for THC content are designed to fall well below the amount you’d need to feel any psychoactive effect.
Many CBD edible brands remove the THC from their products altogether, so if you prefer to avoid it, look for a brand that says “CBD isolate” or “broad-spectrum”. However, make sure to buy from a brand that publishes third-party lab reports so that you can verify the THC (and CBD) content for yourself.
All five of our recommendations for CBD edibles in the UK freely share their independent lab reports, so you can rest assured you’re buying a fully compliant CBD product.
Are CBD gummies good for anxiety?
There’s lots of anecdotal evidence from people who say that CBD relieves their anxiety. Scientists are still studying this, but so far research suggests that CBD can in fact help. One scientific review found that CBD reduced anxiety symptoms in conditions like Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Two more studies showed that CBD reduced anxiety by calming key areas of the central nervous system responsible for emotion.
Will CBD gummies help me feel less stressed?
Again, many people say that they do, but scientific research is still catching up. So far, it’s thought that CBD might help by reducing levels of cortisol, AKA the stress hormone. It might also help by addressing some of the things that contribute to stress, like anxiety, depression or poor sleep.
Do CBD gummies help with pain?
Lots of people swear by CBD for their chronic pain. It may help by altering both the physiological pain signals and your psychological experience of them. In one study, researchers discussed how CBD could relieve pain thanks to its proven anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic effects. In this animal study, it was found that CBD reduced not just the perception of pain, but also the anxiety it caused.
Do CBD gummies help with sleep?
CBD is not a sedative or hypnotic, like the sleeping pills you might get from a doctor. However, it’s believed to support sleep in a number of ways. Scientists think that it may directly influence hormones involved in sleep, like serotonin and GABA. It may also help indirectly by addressing problems that cause poor sleep, like stress, pain, and anxiety.
How long do CBD gummies take to start working?
When you eat a CBD edible, some of the CBD is absorbed in your mouth and quickly enters the bloodstream. It should take about 30 minutes to feel the effects. You should note that any CBD that doesn’t get absorbed in the mouth will have to pass through the digestive system. This means it will take longer to enter the bloodstream, and you’ll lose some along the way. For maximum bio-availability and fast action, be sure to chew your CBD sweets or gummies thoroughly before swallowing.
Can CBD edibles harm you?
CBD is a safe supplement for most people, so CBD edibles are unlikely to be harmful. Some people report mild side effects like nausea or drowsiness, but these are uncommon and tend to resolve quickly. If you find the side effects intolerable, you should be able to relieve them by lowering your dose. CBD is known to interact with some medications and can affect how well they work. If you’re taking prescribed medicine, always speak to your doctor before taking CBD edibles to check if they’re safe for you.
Can children take CBD edibles?
While CBD is not harmful for most children and it’s not illegal for them to have, we’d strongly advise you to speak to your doctor beforehand, especially if your child has a health condition and/or is taking medications.
The recommended dosages on products are designed for adults, so it's worth keeping in mind that a child would need less due to their lower body weight. They would also need to consume less THC than an adult to experience psychoactive effects, and the THC may have harmful effects on their developing brains.
If you feel your child could benefit from CBD and it's been cleared by your doctor, go for CBD isolate or broad-spectrum products. These keep THC consumption to a minimum and you can verify the THC content in the product’s third-party lab reports. It's also worth remembering to store your CBD edibles away from little ones and their sweet tooths to avoid any accidents.
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