What Are CBD Gummies?

CBD gummies are one of the most popular CBD products on the market these days. It makes sense, because who doesn’t love gummies! Adults may love gummies just as much as children do, judging from the fact that many health supplements and vitamins come in gummy form. 

If you’re new to the world of CBD, perhaps you aren’t aware of why CBD gummies have become such a hit. There are many reasons, including all the people raving about CBD and the positive ways it has affected their lives.

It could also be the fact that the flavor of CBD oil isn’t for everyone, so getting CBD in gummy form is preferable. Another possibility is that CBD gummies are easy, subtle and convenient. Whatever the reason, CBD gummies are clearly not going anywhere.

Here’s the lowdown on CBD gummies so you’ll know exactly what you’re consuming.

Understanding CBD

CBD, more formally known as cannabidiol, is the second most prominent compound in the cannabis plant. The first is THC, well known for its psychoactive, intoxicating effects. CBD is nonintoxicating, which is one of the reasons it has become so popular in recent years.

A ton of research has gone into understanding CBD over the last decade, with scientists trying to figure out how exactly it interacts with the human body and the potential health benefits it may have.

So far, there isn’t a lot of conclusive research. After all, it takes time to fully understand how a substance works.

The research in the pipeline about CBD looks promising. Also, the anecdotal evidence from CBD users is interesting, though it isn’t scientific. CBD users have often noted that taking it makes them feel relaxed, lifts their mood or gives them an energized sensation.

One study found that the varying effects may result from the dosage taken. A higher dosage may lead to feelings of relaxation, while in smaller doses, CBD can lead to an energy boost. 

CBD is now widely considered safe to use, even at consistent dosages as high as 1,500 mg per day. Additionally, no serious side effects from taking CBD have been found. What’s more, side effects are not common, and when they do occur, they are typically only mild to moderate in severity.

With scientists believing CBD safe to use, people seem to feel more comfortable about trying it out. At this juncture, trying it out is the only way to understand its effects on you and your body.

Additionally, CBD can either come from hemp or marijuana, two types of the cannabis plant. In 2018, the U.S. passed the Farm Bill, legalizing industrial hemp.

That means hemp-derived CBD is also legal. Characteristically, hemp cannot have more than 0.3 percent THC in it. CBD that comes from marijuana is only legal in states where marijuana is legal. It can also have slightly higher THC quantities in it, though generally not nearly enough to be intoxicating.

Therefore, if you live in a state where marijuana is not legal, always stick with hemp-derived CBD.

CBD gummies and how they are made 

CBD can come in several different forms, including oil, topicals and edibles. CBD gummies are considered an edible. Once CBD is extracted from the hemp or marijuana, it is in a form called CBD isolate. This isolate can then be made into other products, like CBD oil. CBD gummies are usually either made with CBD isolate or CBD oil. At Penguin CBD, we use CBD isolate to produce the best-tasting gummies possible.

Then other ingredients are added to turn it into its gummy form. Usually gelatin or pectin are what gives gummies their gummy texture. These are the ingredients usually used to make any type of gummy, or even jellybeans.

The CBD gummy’s delicious taste comes from sweeteners, which include fruit juice and other natural and artificial flavors. If the CBD gummy has a sour taste, things like citric or malic acid are also added.

When you eat a CBD gummy, it has to be digested before any effects can begin. The onset can take up to two hours due to the CBD passing through the digestive tract before entering the bloodstream. Once the CBD enters the bloodstream, it begins to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

One of the critical functions of the ECS is to support body homeostasis. It has receptors throughout the human body, including in the immune and nervous systems. When the CBD from a gummy interacts with the ECS, it creates a physiological response.

Reports from users say that CBD can cause relaxed, energizing and mood-lifting sensations. This may come from the specific ways CBD interacts with the different systems in the body.

While many studies investigate CBD as a substance exist, there are currently limited studies that specifically look into CBD gummies' effects. However, theoretically, all CBD taken orally would lead to similar outcomes.

How to take CBD gummies

CBD gummies are taken orally and pass through the digestive tract before entering the bloodstream, taking up to two hours to kick in. The other CBD consumption methods, which include placing CBD oil directly under your tongue, inhaling it through a vaporizing (vape) pen, or using it topically in a cream, start to take effect much more quickly, from several minutes to an hour.

However, when CBD is taken orally, the effects last a lot longer. For that reason, many CBD users opt to take CBD gummies and other edible products, as the effects can last anywhere from six to 12 hours.

Some people choose to take their CBD gummy first thing in the morning. Popping one before starting the day can give users a nice energy boost or lift their mood for a while.

Others take CBD as part of their bedtime routine. Taking it an hour before bed makes sense if you want to feel extra relaxed. Sometimes people take CBD gummies before a stressful event if they’re seeking a sense of calm.

Premade CBD gummies come in different dosages, measured in milligrams. They tend to range from between 2 mg and 100 mg per gummy. The most common dosages are between 5 and 20 mg per gummy.

Knowing what kind of CBD is in a CBD gummy is also essential. CBD can come as isolate, broad-spectrum or full-spectrum. CBD isolate is pure CBD, so CBD gummies made with CBD isolate will not contain any other substances from the cannabis plant.

CBD gummies made from broad-spectrum CBD will contain other compounds from the cannabis plant, excluding THC. CBD gummies made from full-spectrum CBD will have other compounds from the cannabis plant, including THC.

If THC is not legal where you live, full-spectrum CBD gummies are not legal there. Although full-spectrum CBD only has trace amounts of THC, there is a small chance the THC could show up on a drug test.

Many people opt for CBD gummies made from CBD isolate or broad-spectrum CBD for legal and professional reasons. The reason full-spectrum CBD is popular is because there is a theory that whole-plant extracts work better than isolating specific compounds from a plant. While it hasn’t been proven, this concept, known as the entourage effect, is the focus of some CBD studies.

Choose your CBD gummies wisely

While scientists widely consider CBD to be safe, CBD is still an unregulated substance. That means the FDA does not supply standards by which CBD products must abide.

Unfortunately, not all CBD brands are trustworthy and ethical. Random tests of CBD products have found things like contaminants, pesticides, heavy metals, and other dangerous chemicals and additives. Any hospitalizations reportedly caused by CBD were actually triggered by things not listed on the label.

Other times, CBD testing revealed that CBD products, including CBD gummies, have quantities of CBD that don't match what is listed on the package. There have even been cases where, after testing, a CBD product contained no CBD at all. It is critical to do your research before investing in CBD gummies to know they come from a brand you can trust.

There are easy ways to figure out if a brand of CBD gummies is trustworthy or not. A reputable brand has no problem being transparent with its customers. They clearly mention if the CBD was sourced from hemp or marijuana, and where it was sourced.

To buy the best CBD gummies, look for a CBD company that sources its CBD from plants grown in the U.S. They may also let customers know whether or not the plants were grown organically and if pesticides and/or fertilizers were used in the process.

Also, a quality CBD brand might include information about how the CBD was extracted from the plant.

There are several quality methods of CBD extraction. Removal with high-grade ethanol as an extraction technique does not contaminate the CBD. It can also be extracted using CO₂, where carbon dioxide is put under high pressure at low temperatures to preserve the CBD while keeping it pure. Olive oil extraction is another method, though it isn’t very popular because the final product must then be stored in a dark, cool place.

CBD brands should also let you know if their gummies and other products were made from CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, or full-spectrum CBD. That way, customers know if there is THC or any other compounds from the cannabis plant in what they are consuming. In addition, quality CBD brands provide a full list of the ingredients in each product.

Always make sure the CBD brand you buy includes information about whether a third-party laboratory has assessed its products. Not only should they mention that they have been evaluated, but they should let you know the specific lab and show the results of the test.

After confirming you’re buying CBD gummies from a brand you can trust, take a look at the dosage. As CBD is not regulated, universal information about dosages has yet to be determined.

Experts recommend starting with a low dosage and gradually increasing it until you find you’re getting the desired effects. Anything up to 10 mg is generally considered a low dose, while a high dose is between 20 and 30 mg twice daily. These are estimates, as things like your individual weight, metabolism and body chemistry can change the ideal dosage for you.

Final Thoughts

CBD gummies are a popular option among CBD users, and by now, it’s probably clear why. They are a convenient and tasty product that can give you an energy boost or help you feel more relaxed.

Plus, they are more subtle to use than CBD oil or a vape pen, and the effects last longer, even if they take longer to kick in. While nothing is certain yet about how CBD works yet, new information is coming out every month. In a few years, we will likely know a lot more.

Before beginning to take CBD, it is vital to consult with your doctor. Though CBD is considered safe to use, it may interact with certain prescription drugs and other substances. Your doctor can let you know more. Drug interactions can be dangerous, so it’s better to be safe.