Within the CBD market, edibles have attracted a lot of attention and have grown a loyal following of customers. They are easy to consume, provide a familiar feel for newcomers, and are effective at delivering cannabidiol to our bodies. But with so many of these products on the market, it can be hard to determine what the best CBD edibles are.
From gummies to honey sticks to chocolate bars, there is something for every taste when it comes to CBD edibles. Furthermore, new edibles are constantly being developed and released to continually provide you with new flavorful CBD experiences.
In order to decide on the best CBD edibles, we chose companies that offer either high-quality products or a wide selection of edibles. If you are interested in any of these delicious treats, we also offer coupon codes for each company to help you save on your orders!
What Are CBD Edibles?
Cannabidiol (CBD) edibles are food or beverage products that are infused with CBD extracted from the hemp plant. These products are developed as an alternative method for consuming CBD that does not involve smoking, vaping, or the use of tinctures. CBD is added to these products as one of the following CBD extract types:
- Full-Spectrum – Contains all the cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant.
- Broad-Spectrum – Contains all the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant except for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
- CBD Isolate – Purely CBD and no other cannabinoid.
There are many different CBD edibles products currently on the market, the most common types are CBD gummies and CBD capsules. Even though tinctures can also be considered edibles, we didn’t include them on this list as we already have an article discussing the best CBD oils.
How Are CBD Edibles Made?
Making CBD edibles is quite simple. Companies must first extract the cannabinoid out of a high-CBD plant and then include it in preparing various edible items. The types of foods and beverages that CBD is combined with can widely vary depending on the company. In all cases, however, reputable brands will seek to only include all-natural ingredients and make sure their products are safe for those with food restrictions or allergies.
Are CBD Edibles Legal?
Yes! Under the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD and hemp were federally legalized with a few restrictions. The most notable being that for a cannabis plant to be defined as hemp, it must contain less than 0.3% THC.
If you are concerned that CBD edibles will get you high, it’s important to understand that <0.3% is such a low amount that it’s unlikely to cause psychoactive effects. Only in rare cases, have some people felt mild psychoactive effects typically associated with THC.
It’s important to note that if you live in a state where cannabis is recreationally legalized, you may run into CBD edibles that have a higher concentration of THC. Therefore, when buying CBD products in these locations, it helps to verify the contents of your CBD edible before each purchase.
What Do CBD Edibles Do?
While CBD affects everyone differently, it is likely to make your body and brain feel relaxed. When we consume CBD, it has an effect on our endocannabinoid system (ECS). Though researchers still are not 100% certain of how this works, it is hypothesized that CBD helps keep our ECS in a state of homeostasis and optimal physiological conditions.
Due to CBD’s effect on our ECS, there are several potential therapeutic benefits to consuming CBD edibles. These may include:
- Alleviates anxiety and depression
- Alleviates nausea and vomiting
- Inhibits cancer cell growth
- Pain relief (including chronic pain)
- Promotes bone growth
- Promotes better and more restful sleep
- Reduces seizures and convulsions
- Reduces blood sugar levels
- Reduces risk of artery blockage
- Reduces small intestine contractions
- Slows bacterial growth
- Suppresses muscle spasms
One aspect of CBD edibles that differs from other consumption methods is that cannabidiol processes through the digestive tract. Therefore, the effects usually take longer to be noticed (anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes). However, the effects typically last for a much longer period of time (anywhere between 8 to 12 hours).
How to Use CBD Edibles
CBD edibles are probably the simplest form of CBD to use as they provide a familiar way to consume CBD. While different edibles require different consumption methods, all you must do is eat these delicious treats in order to feel the effects. Even though certain CBD edibles, such as CBD lollipops or CBD beverages aren’t exactly eaten, their effects are almost identical to any other CBD edible.
Keep in mind that different CBD edibles have different ways of measuring dosages. CBD gummies or capsules are the most convenient as you can identify the dosage in a single serving on a per gummy/per capsule basis. However, certain edibles like a CBD chocolate bar may require you to break apart the edible and eat it in sections.
In order to get an idea of how much of an edible you should take, we highly advise you to look at the “suggested use” on your product’s label.
Furthermore, in places where cannabis is legal, you may come across CBD products with higher amounts of THC. For example, CBD gummies in Canada often come with a 1:1 CBD to THC ratio.
Why Do People Enjoy CBD Edibles?
People enjoy CBD edibles for different reasons. As mentioned, these treats provide many users with a familiar way to consume CBD. In other words, eating a CBD gummy may sound more appealing than taking CBD oil or puffing on a CBD vape.
Furthermore, CBD edibles are made in many different flavors. This provides consumers with a wide variety to choose from should they get tired of a particular taste. Beyond the flavor, CBD edibles also have the longest-lasting effects making them ideal for those who need constant relief.
Finally, CBD edibles are discreet compared to other consumption methods. They are easy to quickly consume whether on the go or stuck in the office. If you want to try CBD but are skeptical as to how those around you will view it, a CBD edible is the perfect way to hide the fact that you’re consuming a cannabis product.
Our Criteria for the Best CBD Edibles
In order to decide what were the best CBD edibles out there, we made sure to have a set of criteria when developing this list. If you plan to purchase a CBD edible that is not on our list, we highly suggest you consider evaluating the product through our criteria first.
- Certificate of Analysis – Since the CBD industry is unregulated, many companies go to a 3rd-party lab in order to receive a non-biased lab report on their products. These results will indicate several aspects of the CBD, including its cannabinoid-count, its purity, and whether it contains contaminants, such as pesticides. If you aren’t sure how to read a certificate of analysis, we invite you to check out our article on how to read CBD lab results.
- Extract Type – There are three types of CBD extracts: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate. In order to create a diverse list, we made sure to include products from each of these extract types.
- Hemp Source – Most CBD within the United States comes from hemp. It is, therefore, vital for you to make sure a company is transparent about where they’re getting their hemp and whether or not it’s grown organically.
- Ingredients – We understand there are many out there with food allergies that would like to try CBD edibles. CBD brands must indicate everything that goes into their products. We highly suggest looking at the ingredients used in a CBD edible in order to make sure they meet your dietary requirements and don’t cause you any allergic reactions.
- Potency – The potency of CBD products is usually measured in milligrams (mg). The higher the milligram-count, the more CBD is in a product and the fewer servings you will need to feel the desired effects. If you are new to CBD, we suggest finding a product with anywhere from 10mg to 25mg per serving to start.
Safety and Side Effects of CBD Edibles
While CBD is often celebrated for having no side effects, some users have reported feeling mild bouts of the following:
- Appetite changes
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
When it comes to CBD edibles, it is extremely important for you to make sure these products meet your dietary requirements. If you struggle with a food allergy, you should always check the ingredients put into each of these products.
If you are currently on prescription medication, we suggest consulting your doctor before taking CBD. While it is rare, there is some medication that has been reported to have negative interactions with CBD.
If you are currently pregnant or lactating, we also suggest that you do not take CBD. Unfortunately, there’s just not enough evidence suggesting women of this category are safe to consume CBD products.
