7 CBD gummies to try in the UK in 2022
For many of us, the last two years haven’t been an easy ride when it comes to mental health.
Between remote working, overworking, homeschooling and general worry about friends and loved ones, there have been lots of triggers for stress-induced ailments such as anxiety and insomnia.
So it’s no wonder that CBD food supplement sales have been skyrocketing across Scotland and the rest of the UK as the pandemic has worn on.
CBD - also known as cannabidiol - is extracted from the hemp plant. And while there’s still lots of research to be done concerning its role in curing or preventing disease, initial studies show CBD can ease ailments from anxiety and depression to insomnia and chronic pain.
Why CBD gummies?
CBD can be taken in lots of different ways from oils, to vapes, to capsules, to mouth sprays.
But edible gummies are winning fans as a form of CBD for their convenience, touted by many as an easier-to-take, more subtle, and tastier way to try consuming CBD. Like CBD capsules, the dose is pre-measured, so they’re an ideal option for people who are frequently on-the-go.
How much CBD should you take?
The FSA recommends taking no more than 70mg of CBD a day. Of course, it’s best to check with your medical professional before you take your first dose.
So, what should you look for in a high-quality CBD gummy?
When shopping for the highest-quality CBD edibles, there are a number of areas you should examine before making a decision.
- Dose per pound How much CBD are you actually getting in each gummy? The amount can vary wildly between products, and the price will change accordingly, so it’s important to examine the packaging closely to check you’re getting the best value.
- Lab results Before they’re available to buy, CBD products should be tested by a third party to check the potency of the CBD and accompanying ingredients used, as well as the consistency of the dose. The best brands will display the results of this testing on their website.
- Ingredients Not all CBD gummies are created equal. Some are brimming with add-ons such as fillers and artificial colours. Examine the ingredient list so you know what you’re swallowing along with your CBD.
- Levels of THC According to UK law, there should be no more than 0.2% THC in any given dose. Any product that contains more THC than this is illegal in the UK.
- Broad-spectrum CBD vs isolate Depending on how the CBD has been extracted from the hemp, there may be other cannabinoids present in your dose. These additional cannabinoids can harmonise with CBD to create a stronger effect known as the ‘entourage effect’. However, some people prefer to take CBD isolate, which means they’re taking pure CBD, without even trace levels of THC. This means they won’t experience the entourage effect.
Best CBD gummies for 2022: a Scottish buyer’s guide
1. CBII CBD Gummies, £34 for 30 gummies, 25mg CBD per gummy
CBII’s brightly coloured morsels win the top spot, offering the best CBD gummy option when weighing up dosage per pound, manufacturing integrity, and value for money.
With 25mg of broad-spectrum CBD per gummy, each sweet offers a hearty dose of CBD with each serving. As noted above, ‘broad spectrum’ means that the dose comes with accompanying cannabinoids from the hemp plant - like CBG and CBN - to complement CBD’s wide-ranging effects.
The CBD is sourced from Oregon-grown hemp, and from seed to shelf, the gummies go through a five-step testing process to ensure potency, consistency, and quality.
Furthermore, CBII uses an extraction method that’s hallmarked to be gentler than other methods. This helps to prevent damage to important parts of the plant, maintaining an extract that’s as close to its natural form as possible.
Each jar contains 30 sweets in a mix of four flavours: watermelon, tangerine, raspberry and lemon. The soft, chewy texture makes for a moreish bite, while a coating of cane sugar lends an air of indulgence - you won’t find any of the botanic aftertaste that hemp products can be known for.
These sweets may be hard to tell apart from regular ones you’d find on the confectionery shelf - but rest assured, they’re fully vegan, and they contain no artificial preservatives or colours: the bright hues are extracted from natural ingredients such as turmeric and beetroot.
Check out this article, and this review too. Read what others say here, here, here and here.
2. Zen Bears CBD Gummies, £39.95 for 30 gummies, 20mg CBD per gummy
With a texture almost indistinguishable from gummies you might find at the supermarket, and a range of naturally-sourced flavours including elderflower, lemon, orange, raspberry and sour cherry, it’s clear to see why Zen Bears wins constant customer praise for how enjoyable their CBD bears are.
However, at 20mg of broad-spectrum CBD per gummy, these are not the type of sweet you can scoff by the handful.
The team at Zen Bears pays special attention to the quality and potency of this product - the only one in the brand’s arsenal - extracting the CBD from organically grown hemp, and providing unique batch numbers on every jar for full transparency.
3. CBDfx Turmeric and Spirulina CBD Gummies, £50 for 60 gummies, 25mg CBD per gummy
Forget about fun shapes and colours for a moment: these gummies are all business.
Alongside 25mg of broad-spectrum CBD per gummy, CBDfx’s offerings come stacked with turmeric and spirulina - both known for their anti-inflammatory properties. The effect is a supplement with wide-ranging potential benefits for the body, even if the taste isn’t quite as appealing as some alternatives.
Lab results are available on CBDfx’s website, guaranteeing consistency and quality from sweet to sweet.
4. Cannaray CBD Gummies, £18 for 30 gummies, 10mg per gummy
At just 10mg per gummy, these zesty discs are a solid option for CBD beginners, or those who simply prefer smaller doses. Calling upon CBD isolate, they are well suited for those who are wanting to avoid THC entirely.
With a juicy orange taste, the gummies are vegan, and come devoid of sulphates or GMOs.
They call on natural colouring from concentrated pepper and carrot, and are triple lab tested, with the lab reports readily available on the Cannaray website.
5. Koi Hemp Extract CBD Gummies, £9.99 for 20 gummies, 10mg per gummy
Another lower-dose option, Koi extract’s gummies come with 10mg of broad-spectrum CBD per sweet. Delivered in a lightweight, resealable bag, they’re a convenient option to slip into a backpack or handbag.
The gummies themselves come in three flavours: lime, tangerine, and acai pomegranate, and harness a pleasantly chewy texture.
Koi prides itself on its production process, rolling the extract into the gummies three times to ensure even distribution. A certificate of analysis is available on its website, so you can see a full breakdown of ingredients and potency.
6. CBD Guru CBD Cola Bottles, £29.99 for 30 gummies, 25mg per gummy
Partial to the tangy, fizzy flavour that only a cola bottle gummy can provide? You’re in luck: complete with a sugar coating, the distinctive two-tone palette, and the bottle shape, CBD Guru’s cola bottles taste just like the real thing. However, these ones come with the added benefit of 25mg of broad-spectrum CBD per edible.
CBD Guru prides itself on its hemp’s traceability, with a unique approach enabling the team to trace each extract back to the field it was grown in.
It pays to note that unlike many CBD gummies, CBD Guru’s contain beef gelatin, rendering them not vegan- or vegetarian-friendly.
7. Endoca CBD Chewing Gum, £6.16 for 10 pieces, 10mg per piece
If you’re not a particular fan of sweets, you’ll be pleased to note that an alternative CBD confection exists: minty fresh chewing gum, complete with 10mg of CBD per piece.
Unlike most of the options on this list, you’re not meant to swallow the gum - therefore, the CBD is not released through the digestive system. Instead, the CBD is taken in through the mucous membranes on the inside of the mouth as you chew, meaning you may feel effects slightly more quickly than with regular gummy alternatives.
Unlike most mainstream chewing gums, Endoca’s sticks don’t contain plastic. Instead, the gum is made from chicle tree, a natural alternative. Chicle tree gums can feel a little sticker than the gums most of us are used to, and it pays to note that this contrast can take a little warming to.