Your guide to the CBD gummies on the UK market

Looking back at the challenges of 2020 and 2021, it’s easy to see why many Brits are looking for ways to boost their mental and overall wellbeing in 2022.

It may also help explain why CBD food supplements have exploded in popularity over the last few years.

CBD (cannabidiol) is a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, and regular users claim it’s a helpful tool in combating a range of health issues: think insomnia, anxiety, depression and chronic pain.

There are lots of different ways you can consume CBD: available formats include CBD capsules, tinctures and vapes. But it’s CBD gummies that are gaining fans thanks to their convenient, pre-measured doses, fun shapes, portability, and sweet-like taste and texture.

CBD FAQs

Will CBD get you high?

While CBD does come from hemp - a plant in the cannabis species - it’s entirely different from THC; its famous cousin with psychoactive properties found in the marijuana plant. While trace levels of THC may be present in some CBD products, this amount of THC must be less than 0.2 per cent to be sold legally in the UK - and this level won’t have intoxicating effects.

How much CBD should you take a day?

When starting out with CBD, it’s best to start with a smaller dose, and adjust it over time depending on how you feel. The FSA advises against exceeding 70mg a day, but of course it’s best to check with your medical professional before starting out.

Which type of CBD should you look for?

CBD isn’t the only cannabinoid present in the hemp plant. There’s a whole assortment of compounds that, when taken together, boost each other's effectiveness.

This is called the ‘entourage’ effect, and whether or not your form of CBD has this effect will depend on the type of CBD extract used:

- CBD isolate has been put through a purifying process to remove all other compounds. This means your dose will contain pure CBD, which can be a good option if you want to avoid even trace amounts of THC. However, it also means you won’t experience the entourage effect.

- Full spectrum CBD comes complete with a host of other cannabinoids present in the hemp plant. This means it can have higher levels of THC, which makes it harder to sell on the UK market.

- Broad spectrum CBD is similar to full spectrum, in that it features a range of minor cannabinoids. However, the manufacturer has stripped out the THC, meaning it measures under the legal UK limit of 0.2 per cent but still delivers the entourage effect.

Best CBD Gummies to Buy in 2022

1. CBII CBD Gummies, £34 for 30 gummies, 25mg per gummy

Our top spot for highest-quality CBD gummies goes to CBII’s confections – and we’re not alone in our estimations.

The CBD itself is sourced in Oregon, known to be the most strictly regulated market in the US. After harvest, CBII works with Swiss manufacturer Linnea to extract a broad-spectrum CBD using a patented method that’s gentler and more planet-friendly than many alternatives.

From seed to shelf, the gummies are pushed through a five-step lab testing process, in which independent verification assesses ingredients, dose and quality ensuring that the claims on the label match the end product.

Each jar comes brimming with 30 gummies in four different flavours: watermelon, tangerine, lemon and raspberry. With special care taken to ensure there’s none of the bitter, herbal aftertastes that some hemp products are known for, the gummies combine potency, texture, and flavour for a top CBD edible that gives good value for money.

To boot, the gummies are also free from artificial preservatives, use colours extracted from natural ingredients, and are fully vegan.

Read what others say here, here, here and here. Plus check out this article, and this review too.

2. Zen Bears CBD Gummies, £39.95 for 30 gummies, 20mg per gummy

Like CBII’s confections, Zen Bears’ chewy gummies are fully vegan. Fans enjoy the texture and taste of the sweets, which - if it weren’t for the 20mg of broad-spectrum CBD pharmaceutically coated on each one - would seem at home in a pick-and-mix.

As a brand, Zen Bears prioritises the transparency of its products, which is why you’ll find a unique batch number on each glass jar. This makes it easy to track down the third-party lab results which verify the gummies’ potency and quality.

3. Koi Hemp Extract CBD Gummies, £9.99 for 20 gummies, 10mg CBD per gummy

Packaged in a resealable bag, Koi’s Hemp Extract CBD gummies administer just 10mg of CBD in each sweet. This can make them a good option if you’re new to CBD and want to start with a lower dose, or you simply want to pepper lower doses at more frequent intervals throughout the day.

Moulded into a simple disc shape, the gummies come in lime, tangerine and acai pomegranate flavours. Independent labs test Koi’s extracts to ensure consistent potency and quality between sweets, and a certificate of analysis is available on Koi’s website.

4. Cannaray CBD Gummies, £18 for 30 gummies, 10mg per gummy

Another lower dose option, Cannaray’s orange-flavoured discs call upon an isolate extract to deliver a 10mg dose of CBD. While this makes Cannaray a good option for users who want to avoid even traces of THC, it does mean these users will miss out on the entourage effect.

Cannaray’s gummies are free of sulphates and GMOs, are fully vegan, and harness natural colouring from pepper and carrot to create the gummies’ bold, orange tone. Between the zingy taste and the chewy jelly texture, these gummies are a delicious choice.

5. Medterra CBD Gummies Keep Calm, £34.99 for 30 gummies, 25mg per gummy

With just one flavour per bag, and gummies shaped as cubes, Medterra’s CBD gummies can be described in three words: simple done well.

Along with 25mg of CBD isolate per gummy, the sweets are also spiked with helpful ingredients turmeric (which is good for inflammation) and L-Theanine, (useful for improving mental function).

As with Cannaray’s sweets, Medterra uses CBD isolate. This means there are no complementary cannabinoids present in each sweet, which can make the effects of the dose feel less pronounced.

6. CBDfx Gummies for Sleep, £50 for 60 gummies, 25mg CBD per gummy

Having trouble with sleep? CBDfx’s purpose-built gummies could be the option for you, harnessing complementary ingredients believed to lend themselves particularly well to a good night’s rest.

As well as 25mg of broad-spectrum CBD per gummy, the ingredients list is stacked with passionflower, chamomile, lemon balm, and magnesium - a formulation that has reviewers raving about the gummies’ effect on their shut-eye.