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Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
We are committed to only featuring products that are safe to use. As part of our updates process, we regularly vet all products. If we need to remove products, we will add alternatives we think our readers will enjoy.
Medical News Today chooses CBD gummies for anxiety that meet the following criteria:
Ingredients: We choose gummies containing safe, high quality, and clearly labeled ingredients. The company should also be able to confirm they are free from pesticides, heavy metals, and other substances harmful to health.
Flavors: We choose gummies in a range of flavors, as some people dislike the bitter taste of natural hemp.
Dosage and serving size: Research suggests that doses of as little as 25 mg can be effective in relieving anxiety symptoms, so we carefully chose gummies that meet this threshold, as well as others that offer less per serving for people newer to using CBD.
Third-party labs: We only feature gummies that undergo third-party testing for contaminants by an ISO 17025-compliant laboratory.
Certificate of analysis (COA): We only choose gummies that have a current certificate of analysis.
Price: CBD can be expensive, so we choose companies that offer competitive subscriptions and savings.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
People may wish to consider the following when choosing gummies for anxiety:
Transparency and quality: Opting for products that undergo third-party testing and have readily available COAs means that people are less likely to choose products that contain substances harmful to health.
Potency: People should select products that are the right potency for their CBD experience and reasons for use. For example, those newer to CBD may wish to choose the lowest possible potency and gradually increase it over time.
Ingredients: People should look for quality ingredients and review the quality of the hemp, including the location of the hemp farms, any certifications, and the extraction process the company uses.
Customer reviews: Reading customer reviews can help individuals choose the right CBD brand and product. Many companies ask reviewers to state what they use CBD for, and people can search within reviews to find relevant experiences.
Price: CBD can be expensive. People may wish to choose companies that offer competitive discounts and memberships.
Research has shown that people who use CBD may see an improvement in anxiety and depression symptoms, sleep quality, and their ability to complete daily tasks.
CBD comes in three different types: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. Each type may affect anxiety differently.
Full-spectrum
Full-spectrum CBD contains all extracts of the cannabis plant, including CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids. It contains THC at a concentration of less than 0.3%. The different extracts in full-spectrum CBD can have some health benefits due to the entourage effect.
Terpenes are one of the elements of full-spectrum CBD that contribute to the entourage effect. They may enhance the ability of CBD to relieve anxiety, as combining terpenes with cannabinoids leads to relaxation and decreases anxiety.
Flavonoids are a group of natural compounds in fruits, vegetables, and other plants. They may also help improve anxiety due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
A 2019 study found that full-spectrum CBD may have an effect at lower doses than CBD isolate does. This may also make it suitable for people who do not wish to take high doses of CBD. The same study suggests that full-spectrum CBD can help improve people’s mood, sleep, quality of life, and executive functioning.
Broad-spectrum
Broad-spectrum CBD is similar to full-spectrum CBD, except manufacturers remove all or most of the THC.
Similar to full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD benefits from the entourage effect described above, which may make it more effective at relieving anxiety than CBD isolate.
However, as trace amounts of THC may be present in broad-spectrum CBD, it may not be suitable for those wishing to avoid THC.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate is also known as pure CBD. It does not contain THC.
As CBD isolate does not contain THC, it does not have a smell or taste. It may therefore suit people who wish to avoid the aftertaste of hemp that they may experience with some full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD gummies.
CBD isolate does not contain other extracts from the cannabis plant. As a result, it may be less effective than full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD because there is no entourage effect.
Its lower potency may make CBD isolate most suitable for people trying CBD gummies for the first time. However, it may make it unsuitable for those looking for a more potent form of anxiety relief.
The 333 rule is a tool some people may use to help manage anxiety symptoms. By looking around and naming three objects, three sounds, and three body parts, people can help ground themselves if their feelings of anxiety are heightened.
The best CBD gummies for pain and anxiety will be the products that help each individual manage their symptoms. Gummies may be a suitable option for many people, as a person can take them on the go and can easily increase or decrease the dose.
People should always start with the lowest possible dose and work their way up gradually.
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) suggests the following to help reduce feelings of anxiety:
talking about feelings of anxiety with friends, family, or a healthcare professional
CBD gummies can help reduce symptoms of anxiety. While people should not take these products instead of prescription medication, they may form a part of a general wellness routine.
There are various gummies available for purchase online. People should carefully read reviews and ensure each product has a current certificate of analysis before making a purchase.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Berthold EC, et al. (2023). Comparative pharmacokinetics of commercially available cannabidiol isolate, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum products. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37337087/
Dahlgren MK, et al. (2022). Clinical and cognitive improvement following full-spectrum, high-cannabidiol treatment for anxiety: Open-label data from a two-stage, phase 2 clinical trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9628346/
