Benefits Of CBD Gummies

Gummies are over a 100 years old and first made their appearance in Germany in the familiar shape of a bear. Today, gummies can be found in different shapes, sizes, colors and flavors across the world. Every candy store has at least one variety for sale. It’s a small wonder that some ingenious entrepreneurs have chosen this as the perfect vehicle for CBD.

CBD gummies are becoming more and more popular as the go-to CBD edible. They come in range of flavors, colors, shapes and consistencies which all adds to the fun of getting a CBD boost in candy form. They are also infused with different types of CBD in different dosages such as broad-spectrum or isolate. Some have a softer consistency while others are a little harder. However, they are all chewy little, treats with benefits.

You may ask why it is even necessary to find other ways to consume CBD when there are already so many methods available. Below are the benefits of chewing CBD gummies in comparison with other methods of delivery to prove that they are well worth their value and aren’t just another CBD marketing gimmick.

What Are CBD Gummies?

CBD gummies are simply chewy candies that have been infused with cannabidiol (CBD) which is an extract from the cannabis plant. The candies are tasty and an extremely convenient vehicle for the delivery and absorption of CBD. You don’t have to brew a tea, bake edibles or add the drops to a drink of water. It’s a simple matter of chewing and swallowing the little gummy which makes it the most user-friendly way to get your CBD, especially if you are a beginner.

Do CBD Gummies Really Work?

Unfortunately, the cannabis industry is highly regulated due to the fact that it is still classified as a controlled substance. This means very little research has been conducted into the validity of CBD gummies. However, some research and clinical trials have been conducted into CBD oil which is often used to produce CBD gummies. This research has shown that CBD has multiple health benefits including for the treatment of pain as well as mental health disorders such as anxiety and stress.

CBD gummy users have also largely reported the calming and relaxing properties of the candies and the majority of users have positive reviews.

What Are The Benefits Of CBD Gummies?

There are numerous benefits of CBD gummies when compared to other ways in which CBD can be consumed. Check out the following benefits of CBD gummies:

Convenience

CBD oil and capsules are the most popular means of consuming CBD. However, these are not always a convenient delivery system. Users either need to measure dosage or drink a glass of water with the capsules. What could be simpler than popping a gummy in your mouth, chewing and swallowing. Eating a candy also does not have the social stigma attached to it that surrounds CBD because of its association with cannabis. Gummies are therefore the most convenient and discreet way of getting the benefits of CBD.

Dosage

Each CBD gummy contains a set dosage. Other CBD products come in different strengths – novice, intermediate and experienced. It can be a gamble to get the dosage right for an individual person using those products whereas CBD gummies provide a precise dosage every time.

The Taste

The taste of CBD is described as nutty, earthy or even grassy. While some love the taste, others can’t stomach it. Just the odor of hemp can nauseate some people and turn them off CBD products permanently. These products often use flavors to conceal the taste of CBD. CBD gummies on the other hand are already sweet and can be flavored to hide the often offending taste of hemp. They are the ideal solution for those who simply cannot abide the natural flavor of hemp and CBD products.

No Smoking

Breathing smoke into your lungs is bad for you and vaping is also not healthy. Although these are the quickest absorption method for CBD, they may be doing more harm than good resulting in short-term discomfort and long-term diseases such as throat, mouth or lung cancer. Chewing gummies also provides fast absorption without the negative side-effects of smoking or vaping.

Do CBD Gummies Make You “High”?

Just like other pure CBD products on the market, CBD gummies do not contain any of the psychoactive properties associated with the cannabis plant. Respectable CBD producers derive their extract and products from the hemp variety of cannabis. The hemp plant contains extremely low concentrations of THC which is the compound that is responsible for making people feel “high”. Currently, the FDA regulates THC concentration in CBD products in the USA and this may not exceed 0.3%. In the UK and European Union, the regulated concentration is even lower at 0.2%.

What Types Of CBD Are Used In Gummies?

There are 3 different types of CBD that may be used in CBD gummies including:

1. Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD contains all the compounds found in the hemp plant – cannabinoids, terpenes and oils. It also contains a small concentration or traces of THC between 0.2% and0.3%. This type of CBD offers a comprehensive “entourage effect”.

2. Broad-Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum CBD should not be confused with full-spectrum CBD as it contains all the compounds of the hemp plant except for THC.

3. CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD and contains little to no other compounds of the hemp plant

What Are The Side-Effects Of CBD?

When CBD products first started hitting the market, manufacturers largely claimed that there were no side-effects. However, since then, some people have reported some side-effects. These side-effects are considered to be relatively low-risk and the compound has been classified as GARS or Generally Recognized as Safe by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). The Mayo Clinic also considers CBD as safe but may in some cases cause the mild side-effects of diarrhea, dry mouth and loss of appetite. Reports from CBD users list dry mouth as the most common side-effect as well as decreased metabolism. 

However, there is still very little known as to how CBD may interact with other pharmaceuticals or medications. So far, it has been established that CBD may inhibit the liver’s ability to process other medications. If you are taking medication, especially to treat a chronic illness, it is highly recommended to discuss using CBD with your treating doctor, physician or medical practitioner first.

Currently, there has never been a report of a CBD user overdosing by consuming CBD gummies. There is very little chance of this happening as you would literally have to consume hundreds of gummies in one sitting for it to become even slightly risky.

What Are The Disadvantages Of CBD Gummies?

Fortunately, there are very few disadvantages to consuming CBD gummies. In fact, there are only two that are worth mentioning – sugar/sugar-based sweeteners and bioavailability.

Sugar And Sugar-Based Sweeteners

Most CBD gummies contain sugar or sugar-based sweeteners. This is a concern for diabetics and those who are on a no-carb or sugar-free diet. However, there are sugar-free CBD gummies available from some producers of CBD products. Make sure to read the list of ingredients to ensure the product is sugar-free if you have any concerns.

Slow Bioavailability

Bioavailability basically refers to how much and how quickly a substance is absorbed by the body into the bloodstream. CBD gummies must pass through the digestive tract and be processed by the liver before it reaches the bloodstream which results in slower and less effective absorption. Topical CBD (such as oils) and smoking or vaping options allow CBD to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the skin or via the lungs. This results in extremely fast absorption ensuring that less of the product is lost along the way.

Vaping, smoking, topically applying and placing CBD under the tongue produces up to 60% bioavailability whereas CBD gummies only produce an equivalent of between 13% and 19%. In other words, if you eat a gummy that has a concentration of 20% CBD, your body is in effect only receiving 3% of the CBD contained in the candy.