CBD is gaining popularity across America because of its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties. The effects of CBD oil on the human brain are yet to be fully understood, but current research shows promising results when it comes to using such products to manage anxiety and depression.
People choose CBD over conventional anxiety medications because they don’t give them enough relief or have horrible side effects with long-term use.
CBD gummies are one of the most popular forms of cannabidiol. Unlike oils, they don’t have that strong hempy aftertaste when swallowed, making them more enjoyable overall.
But do they provide the same benefits as CBD oils and vapes for anxiety and depression?
It turns out they do. After all, the main ingredient remains the same despite a different form.
In this guide, we review the best CBD gummies for sleep and anxiety from reputable brands. After spending several months researching popular vendors in the CBD space, we’ve narrowed our options to 10 companies that offer remarkable formulas to assist with the above health concerns.
We also gathered the most frequently asked questions regarding the use of CBD for anxiety and depression.
Best CBD Gummies for Anxiety and Depression
- Royal CBD – Editor’s Pick
- Gold Bee – Best Organic Formula
- Green Roads – Runner Up
- Tasty Hemp Gummies – Best Flavor
- CBDfx – Best Variety
- cbdMD – Good Value
- Charlotte’s Web – Most Popular Brand
- PlusCBD Gummies – Largest Size
- Medterra – Best for Daytime Use
- Joy Organics – Best Customer Service
1. Royal CBD
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Royal CBD offers premium CBD gummies from organic hemp and is gently extracted with supercritical CO2 to ensure consistent potency and high purity. These little dots and drops are tested in third-party laboratories for quality and safety to ensure that you’re getting the top-shelf ingredients.
The best part about Royal CBD gummies is that they only contain 3 grams of sugar per container. That’s because they don’t have added sugar; the sweetness has been achieved with fruit juices, so it’s actually a guilt-free treat.
Royal CBD gummies contain 99.9% pure CBD isolate, so there’s no hempy aftertaste when you eat them. Instead, you can easily pick out delicious grape, orange, and strawberry flavors.
You can choose from two strengths: 10 mg and 25 mg. The first option is better if you suffer from mild stress and generally improve your resilience, while the latter is better suited for severe symptoms and users who weigh more than 200 lbs.
Royal CBD uses all-natural ingredients that come from organic sources. As such, they are priced a little bit higher than competitor brands, but the overall experience is worth it.
2. Gold Bee
Gold Bee is another premium company established in California. The brand was founded by a group of friends who are both cannabis aficionados and experts in the superfood niche.
The Gold Bee CBD gummies feature a broad-spectrum extract so that you can benefit from other cannabinoids and terpenes. However, there’s no THC in them, so you can even give them to children when they’re going through episodes of anxiety. Similar to Royal CBD, Gold Bee infuses their gummies with 25 mg of CBD per piece. They offer an assortment of three flavors: apple, berry, orange, and pumpkin.
These gummies are also gluten-free and vegan, making them suitable for people with certain food restrictions. Gold Bee tests all its products for potency and safety in a third-party laboratory. You can reach out to them for Certificates of Analysis (CoA).
3. Green Roads
According to a report from the Brightfield Research Group, green Roads is one of the industry’s pioneers and the biggest private-owned CBD company. They offer a wide range of pharmaceutical-grade CBD extracts, including oils, capsules, edibles, topicals, and pet products.
If you want to add a burst of flavor to your CBD supplementation, Green Roads offers some of the most delicious CBD gummies out there. Their flavor is natural, thanks to the use of natural plant extracts and fruit concentrates. The company has two versions of gummies: 10 mg and 25 mg. The extra-strength version may be more beneficial for heavyweight users and those who experience severe stress throughout the day.
There are 5ct and 30ct containers available, although the potency remains the same. If you’re looking for a better product choice, we recommend opting for Royal CBD or Gold Bee.
4. Tasty Hemp Gummies
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Tasty Hemp CBD gummies contain all-natural, organic ingredients, including organic corn syrup, fruit juices, and natural flavorings and colorings. They come in three assorted flavors: cherry, lemon, and orange.
Offering 25 mg of CBD per gummy, these treats are very affordable, considering that most CBD gummies in this price range contain 15 mg of CBD at best. That being said, Tasty Hemp doesn’t provide the lab reports for contaminants such as solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals; they only show the product’s potency and THC content.
5. CBDfx
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CBDfx offers a wide range of CBD gummies, each with its own benefits for different users. The best formula for anxiety and depression includes CBD mixed with melatonin. Each gummy contains 25 mg of broad-spectrum CBD and 5 mg of melatonin, so it’s also a decent sleep aid.
Unfortunately, these gummies also contain more sugar than the other products we’ve mentioned in our ranking. This is understandable considering they offer a full-spectrum extract, but on the other hand, they won’t be a good fit if you need to control your sugar levels for health reasons.
6. cbdMD
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cbdMD is a hemp manufacturer that offers CBD gummies made from organic, US-grown hemp. The gummies contain broad-spectrum CBD to save some of the entourage effects without adding any THC to the formula.
There are three strengths you can choose from 10 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg. The last variant is a good choice for people experiencing strong bouts of anxiety during stressful situations.
cbdMD contains a mix of tropical, strawberry, raspberry, and orange flavors, although they are far from the best-tasting gummies. If you don’t like their taste, cbdMD has a 60-day return policy, under which you can get a full refund for the returned product.
7. Charlotte’s Web
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Charlotte’s Web is one of the oldest companies in the CBD space. The brand turned into a true CBD powerhouse after helping late Charlotte Figi with a rare form of treatment-resistant epilepsy (Dravet Syndrome). Since then, they have added plenty of different CBD products to their lineup, including a reformulated version of CBD gummies.
Charlotte’s Web CBD Calm gummies are formulated for people looking to address anxiety and depression. Each gummy contains 10 or 25 mg of CBD (depending on the selected variant) and has a lime flavor thanks to the use of natural terpenes and lemon balm, which are known for their stress-relieving properties.
Recently, Charlotte’s Web has received a few warning letters from the FDA for inappropriate health claims on its products, but it’s still one of the most reputable companies in the US despite these setbacks.
8. Plus CBD Gummies
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PlusCBD oil offers full-spectrum CBD gummies in four versions: regular, extra-strength, calm, and sleep. The calm variant caters to people suffering from stress and anxiety. You can choose between the fruit punch or cherry mango flavor, both of which do a great job of masking the strong taste of full-spectrum CBD.
At 10 mg of CBD per gummy, they are better suited for lightweight users or people who use CBD to enhance their response to daily stressors. The calm version is also infused with L-theanine and 5-HTP, a precursor of serotonin, which controls our mood stability and emotional well-being.
Unfortunately, PlusCBD doesn’t stock any high-strength gummies, which can be cost-prohibitive for those who weigh more than 150 pounds or struggle with severe anxiety.
9. Medterra
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This crafting company from California specializes in hemp extract from organically grown hemp. The gummies are among their best products — especially the Keep Calm option that contains 25 mg of CBD infused into a delicious gummy base chock-full of tropical flavors. These gummies are also vegan and non-GMO, so you can eat them even if your diet doesn’t include wheat and animal-based products.
The gummies are sold in paper bags, each containing 25 mg of broad-spectrum CBD per gummy. Despite a reasonable price, Medterra doesn’t offer any discounts on their products, making them a less affordable company than other manufacturers from this list.
10. Joy Organics
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Joy Organics is a family-owned business. The company was founded by Joy Smith, a mother, and grandmother who has been using CBD to help with sleep issues and chronic pain. After failing with several CBD brands, she has decided to launch her own company to ensure her products are crafted to the best standards.
Joy Organics CBD gummies contain CBD isolate, meaning you won’t benefit from other cannabinoids and terpenes. But if you’re interested only in the benefits of CBD and you don’t like the hempy taste of whole-plant extracts, they should be a good fit for you.
The gummies are available in two flavors: green apple and strawberry lemonade, both flavored with fruit concentrates. They’re also gluten-free, vegan, and contain 10 mg of CBD per piece. You can buy them in jars of 30.
However, despite the top-notch quality and simple formula, these gummies may not be affordable in the long run if you’re a heavyweight user or have more stress to deal with in your life.
How We Selected the Best CBD Gummies for Anxiety and Depression
The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp on a federal level and paved the way for a new industry — or resurrected once slain giant, to be more accurate.
Every company with a budget big enough to afford a patch of land, an extraction facility, and a web designer, started growing hemp and making CBD products.
But not every manufacturer knows how to do it properly — hence the emergence of poor-quality CBD products on the market.
To understand more about CBD gummies, read our comprehensive guide.
Although the CBD space has matured over the years, there are still many fly-by-night vendors due to the lack of regulations. This article provides you with an all-around buyer’s guide for new consumers who are overwhelmed by the abundance of different CBD gummies.
To prepare our ranking, we’ve:
- Surveyed over 10 000 readers through emails, scoring a response rate of 64%.
- Analyzed customer reviews sections of 30 popular CBD companies to get a bigger picture of their products.
- Tested the gummies ourselves, thinning down our list to the top 10 CBD gummies for anxiety and depression.
Here are the points you need to tick off if you want to make a well-informed decision.
Hemp Source
Organically grown hemp sourced from local US farms is more reliable as the farmers need to abide by certain quality standards. The hemp extracts are clean and contain legal limits of THC. They’re also GMO-free.
Type of CBD
Hemp extracts come in three variants: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all plant nutrients and minerals, including trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%). These products are the most valuable from the therapeutic point of view because they leverage the entourage effect. It’s a concept where all cannabis compounds work synergistically to provide better effects than each of them alone.
Broad-spectrum CBD is very similar to its full-spectrum counterpart, except for the THC content. THC is removed from the extract after initial extraction. Such products evoke some of the entourage effects, but not to their full potential.
Isolates — true to their name — contain just pure CBD. These products boast the highest concentration of CBD per serving and don’t contain any odor and flavor. Since they’re THC-free, they are a better fit for athletes and professionals regularly tested for drugs. On the other hand, there’s no entourage effect because isolates are devoid of other cannabinoids and terpenes.
Formula
CBD has a plethora of health benefits on its own, but you can also use other ingredients to enhance or complement its stress-relieving properties. For example, some CBD gummies for anxiety and depression contain natural relaxants, such as chamomile, L-theanine, lemon balm, 5-HTP, or ashwagandha. Such products are known for producing a calmer effect on the user.
Potency
The amount of CBD present in your gummies defines the strength of their effects. In higher doses, CBD acts as a sedative because it temporarily lowers blood pressure. It can also calm your nervous system and help achieve a more stable mood. Furthermore, the higher the CBD content of a product, the more efficient it is.
Quality of Ingredients
It’s one thing if the CBD comes from organic hemp, but does the manufacturer include other organic ingredients — or do they cut corners on their quality? The ingredients list should contain organic fruit juices, concentrates, flavorings, and colorings on top of the gummy base, generally made of gelatin or fruit pectin (vegan gummies). It’s also important that the gummies are free of any ingredients you wouldn’t use at home. Some companies use preservatives and stabilizers to reduce the production costs — but this negatively impacts the overall quality of the product.
Flavors
Although this isn’t the primary issue, the flavor of CBD gummies can make or break your experience. Since they’re edibles, the flavor is essential; if the product tastes good, you will enjoy each serving. When it comes to problems like anxiety, a bad taste can only deteriorate things. Many people can’t stand the hempy flavor of full-spectrum CBD. That’s why flavors are added to gummies, chews, and candies. But then again, these flavorings should be derived from natural ingredients to provide a better experience.
Lab Reports
Always check the lab reports of your CBD gummies. Brands that respect their customers test their products in third-party labs because they know how important transparency is. A third-party laboratory isn’t affiliated with the manufacturer in any way. The lab report gives the user an idea of what the product really contains. CBD gummies should contain less than 0.3% of THC and be free of contaminants and solvents. You’ll find these parameters in the certificate of analysis attached to the product.
Transparency
Decent transparency is a surefire way to win customer’s trust. Companies that openly speak about their practices — farming, extraction methods, lab tests, etc. — are more reliable. Transparency also determines the responsibility of a company. Responsible brands care about their customers from more than just a business perspective.
Reputation
A brand’s reputation depends on the satisfaction of its customers. The better the customer experience, the more positive the reviews. Just make sure to check if your vendor uses certified review services that are posted by verified users. This will give you a better feel about the brand’s quality, both in terms of their products and customer service.
Customer Experience
A brand’s responsibility to its customers reaches beyond the end of a purchase. This is actually where it begins. The quality of customer service is paramount for their reputation. This increases customer retention and ensures loyalty. If brands value their customers and offer them 5-star services, new people are sure to come.
How CBD Affects the Mood
When you take CBD — be it through inhalation, oral consumption, or topical application — it interacts with your nervous system through signaling the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and several other systems in the body.
CBD indirectly engages with the cannabinoid receptors of the ECS, as well as with receptor-independent pathways. This leads to certain responses of the nervous system that ultimately influence your mood and behavior.
What does Science Say About Using CBD for Anxiety?
According to several clinical trials and preclinical studies, CBD can be an effective remedy for anxiety disorders. If you’re not sure about CBD’s effectiveness on anxiety problems, the following studies shed more light on their relationship:
- A 2015 study published in the Neurotherapeutics Journal highlighted CBD as a potential treatment option for anxiety. The study concluded its evidence from several human experimental, epidemiological, preclinical, and clinical studies — finding strong evidence supporting CBD’s ability to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder (1).
- In a 2019 study posted by the Permanente Journal, the authors reviewed several clinical trials to evaluate CBD’s efficacy in neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. The evidence supports CBD’s calming effects on the central nervous system without altering one’s consciousness. The study suggests CBD may be a promising tool for managing anxious episodes in clinical populations (2).
- A 2020 study from the Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research journal analyzed the influence of CBD on anxiety behaviors of animal models. The researchers found significant evidence of CBD’s potential as an anxiolytic compound (3).
Wondering if CBD-infused gummies can help with other common issues? Don’t worry, we got you covered.
How to Use CBD Gummies
Eating CBD gummies is as simple as munching on any tasty snack to relax. Not only does the very act of chewing the nerves calmly, but the CBD oil, along with delicious flavors, provides a tranquil state of mind and a better stress response.
CBD gummies mentioned on this list contain all-natural and organic ingredients. Since CBD is non-intoxicating, so it won’t get you baked from eating these gummy bears.
There is no specific dose of CBD for a particular ailment, physical or mental issue. In general, it is recommended to start with a very small dose, somewhere between 2.5 and 5 mg of CBD. From there, you can adjust the dosage to your needs, and once you’ve figured out the best dosage, lock that in and stick to that amount.
If you’re wondering why you choose CBD gummies over CBD oil, we would say the ease of use, convenience, discreteness, and taste makes them worth the try. Although CBD has many forms, gummies are the most enjoyable method for those who don’t like smoking or vaping.
How Many CBD Gummies Should You Take for Anxiety and Depression?
As mentioned, there is no one-size-fits-all dosage of CBD for anxiety and depression. The effective dosage may vary between individuals; several factors are involved in determining the right amount of CBD, such as age, body weight, metabolism, tolerance, gender, and the severity of the condition.
Gummies are sold in a range of concentrations, from 5 mg to as much as 50 mg of CBD per piece. They usually come in 30- or 60-count bottles.
If you have 10 mg gummies, you can start with one gummy, and if you don’t feel any change in your mood, you can add another gummy or two and reassess the effects. Just don’t rush another dose too fast; gummies need to pass through your digestive system to produce their effects, which takes longer than sublingual administration. Oral products such as CBD gummies usually kick in after 40 to 90 minutes.
Safety and Side Effects of CBD Gummies
CBD is well-tolerated by humans. Even doses as high as 1500 mg daily are safe and don’t have any harmful side effects. In normal doses, even the minor side effects are nearly nonexistent.
Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean that CBD isn’t capable of triggering an unwanted reaction. If you take too many CBD gummies at a time, you may experience:
- Dry mouth
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
- Irritation
- Appetite fluctuation
- Diarrhea
CBD is also known to interact with many pharmaceutical medications, so if you take any medication, consult the use of CBD with your doctor. Doing so will help you find the right dosage and establish a proper routine to avoid negative interactions.
Final Thoughts: Should You Try CBD Gummies for Anxiety and Depression?
Our review outlined and discussed the top 10 brands that make high-quality CBD gummies for anxiety and depression. We hope it will help you make a well-informed decision based on what you feel is the best for your needs.
Every user has a different opinion on CBD products because of the differences in taste, preferences, and dosage needs. You know yourself better than anyone else, so it’s important to map out your priorities first. Once you know your goals with CBD, find the right potency and formula to address your anxiety issues.
Just keep in mind that while some effects can be noticed right away, sometimes, CBD may need more time to level the deficiencies in your endogenous cannabinoids. In other words, you may need to give it more time — for example, a week or two.
CBD gummies are available in different cannabinoid spectra, all of which can affect your experience. Some people draw more benefits from pure CBD, while others prefer full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products.
Whichever option you choose, always make sure to follow the steps from our guide. Researching your vendors is essential if you want to avoid scammers and companies with no idea how to make CBD gummies.
Reference links:
- Blessing, E. M., Steenkamp, M. M., Manzanares, J., & Marmar, C. R. (2015). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders. Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, 12(4), 825–836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
- Shannon, S., Lewis, N., Lee, H., & Hughes, S. (2019). Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series. The Permanente journal, 23, 18–041. https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/18-041
- Wright, M., Di Ciano, P., & Brands, B. (2020). Use of Cannabidiol for the Treatment of Anxiety: A Short Synthesis of Pre-Clinical and Clinical Evidence. Cannabis and cannabinoid research, 5(3), 191–196. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2019.0052
