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6 best CBD gummies to ease anxiety, stress and insomnia, tried and tested

Our favourite CBD gummies are perfect for first-timers and aficionados alike

Lydia Spencer-Elliott
Wednesday 21 August 2024 13:00 BST
We took each product for a full week, documenting the effects on our anxiety levels and sleep quality each day
We took each product for a full week, documenting the effects on our anxiety levels and sleep quality each day (The Independent)
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Thousands of studies have demonstrated the cannabis-derived molecule CBD (also known as cannabidiol) can boost low mood and improve sleep quality. However, despite the upsides of taking CBD, some people can't get on board with cannabidiol's earthy taste. If you’re not a fan of swallowing capsules either, the best CBD gummies offer more-palatable alternatives. 

Much like chewable vitamins, CBD gummies provide a tastier way to take your daily dose of cannabidiol. Additionally, CBD dosage is already measured into each sweet, making them more accurate and consistent than a CBD oil. Most contain hemp oil with a concentration of CBD but are often additionally combined with fruit flavourings, gelling agents, and sometimes sweeteners.

GP Dr Aarthi Sinha explains: “Chewing or sucking on CBD gummies allows [cannabidiol] to be absorbed through the lining of the mouth and oral cavity directly into the bloodstream, as well as any that may be swallowed.”

The benefits of CBD are then felt as the substance “acts on certain receptors in the nervous and hormonal system within the body that are involved with regulating inflammation, pain and brain function. It is this interaction that is thought to alleviate symptoms of insomnia, nerve function and help with pain relief”, Dr Sinha says. 

CBD is a daily supplement. So, consistently taking one or two gummies daily (strength dependent) will get you the desired chilled-out results. Brands recommend up to 10mg of CBD per day, which you can build up to until you find the perfect dose for you. To help you get started, we’ve been busy testing a range of CBD gummies, to find out which offer the best results.

How we tested

Our tester tried a variety of CBD gummies, to bring you the best
Our tester tried a variety of CBD gummies, to bring you the best (Lydia Spencer-Elliott)

For this round-up, we took each product for a full week, documenting the effects on our anxiety levels and sleep quality each day. We considered flavour, texture, strength, and overall effectiveness in decreasing inner panic and enabling a restful night’s sleep. Whether you’re after something to help you chill out or drift off faster when your head hits the pillow, these are the best CBD gummies in the UK right now.

The best CBD gummies for 2024 are:

  • Best overall – Starpowa premium CBD gummies, 60 pieces: £19.99, Starpowa.com
  • Best without a sugar coating – Cannaray bright days CBD gummies, 30 pieces: £19, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best for sleep – Naturecan CBD gummy bears, 120 pieces: £41.99, Uk.naturecan.com
  • Best for stress relief – Goodrays mixed CBD gummies, 30 pieces: £24.95, Amazon.co.uk

Starpowa premium CBD gummies

Starpowa best cbd gummies review indybest
  • Best: Overall
  • CBD: 5mg per gummy
  • Quantity: 60
  • Why we love it
    • Great apple flavour
    • Effective for sleep, anxiety and pain relief

This brand has a wide range of exceptional supplement gummies to choose from, and its CBD offering is phenomenal for providing anxiety relief and improving sleep quality in a matter of days. These gummies are vegan friendly and contain less than 0.1g of sugar. We also love the seriously tasty green apple flavour. Handily, the brand offers a subscription service, which makes the cost per packet drop if you sign up, which will help your wallet and your consistency.

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Cannaray bright days CBD gummies

Cannaray best cbd gummies review indybest
  • Best: Without a sugar coating
  • CBD: 10mg per gummy
  • Quantity: 30
  • Why we love it
    • Not too sickly sweet
    • Helps with anxiety and sleep

Although these gummies are relatively low in price, they are incredibly high in quality. Phenomenal for reducing anxiety and feeling ready for sleep over the course of a couple of days, they have a delicious orange flavour and are available in 10mg and 30mg strength, so you can select what suits you best. They’re also the only gummy on our list not to have a sugar coating, so, if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, these are great.

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Naturecan CBD gummy bears

Naturecan best cbd gummies review indybest
  • Best: For sleep
  • CBD: 10mg per gummy
  • Quantity: 120
  • Why we love it
    • Assorted flavours

Rather than sticking to a boring circle or square shape, Naturecan has opted to make its own gummy bears. The brand only uses broad spectrum CBD, which contains multiple cannabinoids that work to produce an “entourage effect”, essentially meaning other components combine to enhance the oil’s natural properties. We found these gummies helped us fall asleep much faster than on nights when we didn’t consume the squidgy bears – the gummies ensured we stayed asleep for the whole night, too.

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Goodrays mixed CBD gummies

Goodrays best cbd gummies review indybest
  • Best: For stress relief
  • CBD: 25mg per gummy
  • Quantity: 30
  • Why we love it
    • Satisfies a sweet tooth
  • Take note
    • Strong for first-timers
    • Some people may find them too sweet

Instead of sticking with one flavour, Goodrays offers an assortment of mango, raspberry, lemon-lime and strawberry options in their tubs of CBD gummies, providing plenty of variety. Containing high-grade CBD sourced in Colorado, these gummies noticeably decreased our anxiety levels and instilled a sense of calm within in a matter of days of taking them. However, these are the strongest of all the gummies on our list, so, newbies may find them fairly intense.

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Kloris full spectrum CBD gummies

Kloris best cbd gummies review indybest
  • Best: Low-sugar option
  • CBD: 10mg per gummy
  • Quantity: 15
  • Why we love it
    • Organic

These full spectrum CBD gummies are super effective in combating stress, plus they come in a small handy tin that is perfect to carry around during the day, ready for when you need a moment of calm. However, the tin only contains 15 gummies for £24, making them one of the most expensive options on this list. Plus, the flavour (hemp and citrus) is quite harsh, in comparison with other products we tested. However, Kloris’s gummies contain the least amount of sugar of all the products in this round-up, so, they could be the ideal choice for those avoiding the sweet stuff.

  1.  £24 from Kloris.co
Prices may vary
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CBD Rock fresh mint

CBD rock best cbd gummies review indybest
  • Best: Gummy alternative
  • CBD: Approximately 30mg per rock
  • Quantity: Approximately 30
  • Why we love it
    • Refreshing
    • Helps with stress and sleep

These aren’t technically gummies but, for those who find the texture of gummies tough, these mint rocks are a great edible alternative to oils and capsules. The rocks are amazing at calming nerves and improving sleep quality, plus they’re made from xylitol, which is sugar-free and rids the mouth of harmful bacteria. However, as the rocks are all different sizes, you do lose the exact CBD dosage aspect that gummies give you. 

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CBD gummies FAQs

Do CBD gummies work?

"In a lot of cases, CBD does help with anxiety, low mood and chronic pain”, explains GP Dr Aarthi Sinha, all of which are conditions that tend to exist together. “They are currently marketed as supplements as there is not enough evidence to dispense them safely as medication. In my private and NHS practice, I always advise patients to have a discussion with their GP to talk about the reasons they are thinking of taking CBD gummies and all the other factors that may be involved in how they are feeling.” Dr Sinha stresses the importance of lifestyle adjustments along with taking CBD gummies, to truly unlock the benefits.

What’s the best way to take CBD gummies?

“There is no recommended time to take CBD gummies. People may take them at a time that correlates with their symptoms, for example before bed, to help with insomnia,” says Dr Sinha. “If taken during the day to help with anxiety and stress, you should be careful when driving or running errands, in case it makes you feel sleepier or has any other side effects. CBD gummies generally take 30-40 minutes to kick in."

The verdict: CBD gummies

Overall, the winner has to be Starpowa – not just for the product featured here, but for the brand’s entire range. The tasty, vegan green apple flavour gummies help you ease anxiety and have a phenomenal night’s sleep. Also highly commendable for effectiveness and price is Cannaray, which has a sweet but not sickly orange flavour and delivers fantastic results.

For more health supplement advice, check out our expert guide

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