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Editorial Team
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CBD gummies are a type of edible that provides a discreet way to introduce the potential benefits of CBD into your diet. They come in a variety of flavours, shapes, and CBD dosage strengths. They are widely available across the UK and legally sold ‘over the counter’ in health food shops and can be sourced online thanks to changes in regulations regarding the sale and consumption of CBD products in 2019.
There are three types of CBD gummies: isolate, broad spectrum and full spectrum.
Isolate gummies are created with pure CBD extract and contain no other compounds from the cannabis plant.
Broad-spectrum CBD gummies include a range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant, but do not contain THC.
Full-spectrum CBD gummies contain all the naturally occurring cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant, including trace amounts of THC, which may offer enhanced benefits due to the entourage effect.
Each package of CBD gummies provides dosage information to ensure you are aware of the CBD content in each individual gummy and the total pack. Not all gummy brands offer the same dosage, so exercise caution if you are sensitive to its effects and don’t exceed the 10mg limit advised by the FSA. CBD gummies also have a long shelf life, allowing you to enjoy them at your own pace.
The main difference between taking a CBD dose through edibles compared to other methods, such as vaporisation, is that it takes longer for the effects to kick in. This is because when CBD is consumed through edibles, it must first pass through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream and reaching the brain.
CBD can come in a variety of different food-related products, not just gummies. Chocolate, cake, brownies, cookies, hard-boiled sweets, soft drinks, seltzers beers, chewing gum, dried fruit and syrups are all examples of food products that can be infused with CBD.
Inside all of us, there is a large regulatory system in the body known as the endocannabinoid system that plays a crucial role in maintaining overall balance and homeostasis. This system is made up of receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids that work together to regulate various psychological and physiological functions, such as mood, pain sensation, appetite, sleep, inflammation and immune response.
CBD has been shown to have a weak affinity for both CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS. Instead of directly binding to them like THC, CBD works by enhancing the effects of our body’s own endocannabinoids.
These receptor interactions may provide a range of potential therapeutic benefits.
Research on the potential health benefits of CBD is still ongoing but preliminary studies suggest CBD may help with a variety of conditions.
Some potential benefits include:
Pain relief: Animal studies show that CBD may help alleviate chronic pain by interacting with the endocannabinoid system and receptors involved in pain perception.
Anxiety and depression: Some early studies, including animal testing, suggest that CBD can interact with serotonin receptors in the brain, which are responsible for regulating mood and anxiety.
Inflammation: Some laboratory studies suggest that CBD may offer anti-inflammatory effects in mice and on tissue models.
Neurodegenerative diseases: Some early lab research suggests CBD has neuroprotective properties relevant to neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Epilepsy: The administration of CBD has been approved by the NHS in the form of Epidyolex oil, not gummies, to treat certain forms of epilepsy. Studies from the US have shown how it may help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
CBD may also be beneficial to those with sleep conditions, such as insomnia.
CBD does not have any psychoactive effects and is non-intoxicating. THC is the cannabinoid that can produce a ‘euphoric’ sensation and has its own range of potential therapeutic benefits that differ from CBD.
CBD gummies are legal in the UK. For over-the-counter CBD gummies, they must meet strict limits on controlled cannabinoid such as THC and CBN, so they only appear in trace amounts. A CBD gummy must not exceed 1mg of each controlled cannabinoid per container.
Medical cannabis pastilles that are CBD-dominant may include higher THC levels when prescribed by a specialist doctor.
The FSA advises adults to take no more than 10mg of CBD a day. You should always consult a doctor before adding CBD gummies into your diet or not take CBD at all if you are on medication such as blood thinners, seizure or thyroid medication, or heart rhythm drugs.
People new to CBD are unsure of how much CBD to take per day, however, most products come with dosage recommendations.
Your age, weight, tolerance, metabolism and even hormone levels can all affect how CBD behaves in your body, so clinicians recommend you start slow and low.
Experts often suggest increasing your dosage slowly through a process called titration, which allows you to increase the dosage slowly based on how your body responds. You should stay within the 10mg daily limit as the FDA advises.
It takes anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours for CBD gummies to start working, so if you don’t feel anything during that time, don’t worry as it may not have taken effect yet.
On top of this, there is the “first pass” effect to consider. This is because when CBD (and other substances) are consumed orally, they pass through the liver before entering the bloodstream. The liver breaks down and metabolises some of the CBD before it can reach the bloodstream which can cause a lower bioavailability of CBD.
The safety data supporting CBD’s efficacy reports few side effects. However potential side effects may include:
Dry mouth: CBD can decrease saliva production, leading to a dry mouth. It is important to stay hydrated when consuming CBD products.
Low blood pressure: High doses of CBD have been associated with a temporary drop in blood pressure. Those taking medication for low blood pressure should exercise caution when consuming CBD.
Drowsiness: Some people may experience drowsiness when taking CBD, especially at higher doses.
Gastrointestinal problems: In some cases, CBD may cause diarrhoea or changes in appetite.
Negative drug interactions: CBD may interact with certain medications, so it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming CBD products if you are currently taking any medication.
Those who are under 18, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, pregnant, or taking medication should avoid CBD gummies.
While CBD gummies can be bought over-the-counter, prescribed medical cannabis offers clinical supervision from the start and throughout your medical cannabis journey.
Medical supervision ensures dosage and treatment plans are tailored to you, and prescribed CBD products can include higher levels of THC and other ranges of cannabinoids that CBD alone may not provide.
To find out if you are eligible, try our free medical cannabis eligibility checker, it takes less than 30 seconds to fill in.
CBD is a fat-soluble compound that stores itself in fat cells around the body long after the effects have worn off; it can last days or weeks. Isolate CBD shouldn’t cause a failed drug test as standard tests look for THC, however there are trace amounts of THC in CBD gummies made from full spectrum or broad spectrum gummies that might be detected.
CBD alone is not generally regarded as a concern for road safety, but some CBD products can contain trace amounts of THC which can show up in roadside drug tests.
Over-the-counter CBD gummies do not require a prescription as levels of controlled cannabinoids are under 1mg per container.
CBD that is sold over-the-counter is classed as a novel food supplement, not a drug. CBD products with more than 1mg of each controlled cannabinoids in their container are only accessible through a legal medical cannabis prescription.
It is important to seek medical advice before starting any new treatments. The patient advisors at Releaf are available to provide expert advice and support. Alternatively, click here to book a consultation with one of our specialist doctors.
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