What do CBD gummies do? And do they work?

If you’ve seen everyone praising CBD gummies on social media, then you’re most likely wondering what all the fuss is about. 

Are they as tasty as people say? Do they really feel like eating jellies? You may even just be intrigued by how they look, with their bright colours and fun shapes. 

But what actually are CBD gummies, and do they work? Today, we’ll be explaining what is really inside a CBD gummy sweet and whether they offer any real benefits. Who knows, you may end up buying a pack and never look back.

CBD gummies: what are they?

CBD sweets are essentially CBD-infused jellies that are available in various strengths. 

What that means is they contain cannabidiol, a phytocannabinoid that is derived from the cannabis plant but doesn’t contain any THC. Because of this, they don’t cause any psychoactive effects or the ‘high’ people typically associate with cannabis products.

The whole point of CBD gummies is to provide an easy, tasty way for people to consume CBD in their daily life, which is why they’re so popular for those who dislike the taste of hemp or just want something discreet and enjoyable. 

You can enjoy many flavours, like cherry, peach, and mixed fruit, making them perfect for consuming on the go with confidence. Since most packaging is small and compact, you can just slip it in your bag and take it in public as and when you need it.

What do CBD gummies do in the body?

When you digest CBD gummies, they’re said to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, leading to a range of benefits.

Let’s take a closer look at what that means.

How oral CBD is processed

When you eat a CBD gummy, the cannabidiol doesn’t enter your bloodstream straight away. 

As a food product, it must be digested, absorbed by the gut, and sent to the liver before it can reach the rest of the body. That’s why gummies tend to work slower than CBD oils or vape pens, and why two people can take the same product and have very different experiences.

Once absorbed, CBD appears to influence several signalling systems rather than acting in a single, straightforward way. We’ll get more into that now.

The endocannabinoid system, explained simply

The endocannabinoid system, also known as ECS, is a complex signalling system of cells and pathways that send signals throughout the body, helping to regulate things like your mood, sleep patterns, immune function, etc. 

While research for this area is still ongoing, the ECS helps to support our overall health and bodily functions. It consists of thousands of receptors that interact with endocannabinoids, which are naturally occurring chemicals in the body. All of these receptors tell the brain what action it needs to take in our body, and current research suggests that CBD helps to support the ECS.

While CBD doesn’t strongly bind to CB1 receptors in the brain in the same way THC does, current research suggests it may influence the body more indirectly, including through parts of the endocannabinoid system and other targets involved in stress signalling, pain signalling, and nerve activity.

Some studies suggest that CBD interacts with serotonin-related 5-HT1A pathways and TRPV1 receptors, which explains why CBD may affect mood, discomfort, and sensory processing.

Why do effects vary from person to person?

CBD is often described as producing calming effects for the user, providing more subtle support than if someone smoked or consumed cannabis. 

While CBD can help to modulate signalling in the body, such as through the endocannabinoid system, to help with mood, sleep, pain signalling, and stress responses, the effects also depend heavily on the individual, the formulation, the amount taken, and whether the product contains only CBD or other cannabinoids as well.

Data released by the FDA focused on a clinical pharmacology review of prescription cannabidiol analysed that taking oral CBD with food can increase exposure by around four to five times.

That means the effects from taking a CBD gummy can also differ depending on how long you ate beforehand or whether you ate it with a meal. Fats, product design, and even capsule or gummy composition can also alter how much CBD the body actually absorbs.

Types of CBD gummies

Like many products, CBD gummies come in a wide range of shapes, strengths, types, and flavours. 

You have a few options, making them great for picky eaters or those who want more flexibility in what they’re consuming. 

That being said, we can split the three types of gummies into these groups:

1. Full-spectrum CBD gummies

These gummy sweets contain all of the naturally occurring compounds in the cannabis plant, including flavonoids, terpenes, and trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%).

While they contain a small amount of THC, they don’t produce a high. Instead, what happens is an ‘entourage effect’, which means all the other components from the hemp plant work together to enhance the effects of the CBD. 

2. Broad-spectrum CBD gummies 

Broad-spectrum gummies are then for people who want all of the benefits of the other natural compounds from the hemp plant without the THC. 

That way, you can enjoy multiple cannabinoids, such as terpenes and minor cannabinoids except delta-9 THC, so you’re not risking even consuming a small amount.

3. CBD isolate gummies

The purest form of CBD, CBD isolate gummies are made from pure CBD extract, without the wider mix of cannabinoids and terpenes found in broad-spectrum or full-spectrum products.

People who want to avoid THC altogether or any other additional compounds besides CBD should go for this option. 

Whichever type you choose, remember that quality and consistency are key. You should always check whether CBD products, like gummies, have been third-party tested and whether the test results are publicly available to consumers. 

That’s why we publish all of our lab reports for our CBD gummies and CBD oils at natural strains, so you can be confident in what you’re buying. 

What are the potential benefits of CBD gummies?

So, why are people now turning to CBD gummies instead of other forms of CBD?

Besides offering a more fun way to add CBD to your lifestyle, they also provide pre-measured dosages, so it takes out the guesswork or the effort of measuring and monitoring it yourself; most people’s schedules are too busy for that.

But what are the actual proven benefits of CBD gummies?

One of the most promising areas of research is that CBD helps to place us in a calm and relaxed state, which can be beneficial for those dealing with stress or anxiety. 

In one study on people with social anxiety, those who took CBD before a simulated public speaking test had lower anxiety, less cognitive impairment, and less discomfort during the task than those who took a placebo.

A 2019 double-blind trial in 37 teenagers with social anxiety disorder reported that consuming 300 mg of CBD daily for four weeks significantly reduced anxiety scores compared with placebo. Although, of course, this was studied with more than the recommended daily dose for CBD. 

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis also concluded that CBD shows therapeutic promise in anxiety disorders, while still noting that clinical sample sizes remain limited and larger trials are needed.

While some suggest that CBD can help with sleep, studies such as the 2024 randomised trial on people with primary insomnia offer more mixed results. During this, they found that 150 mg of CBD nightly didn’t outperform placebo on most insomnia outcomes.

However, the CBD group reported better well-being during the trial and showed improved objective sleep efficiency after 2 weeks, suggesting it may help people wind down before bed.

Potential benefits summed up

Most evidence suggests that CBD gummies may help users feel calmer and more balanced, supporting relaxation before bed or better focus throughout the day. 

However, they shouldn’t be relied on as a medical fix. 

• Feelings of calm and balance

• Reduced anxiety 

• Improved clarity and focus

• Aids winding down before sleep

Remember that your metabolism and the dosage you’re taking can also impact how well CBD works for you!

Are there any side effects?

Most people don’t experience any negative side effects of CBD, unless they are consistently consuming large doses or they have underlying conditions and are taking medication that negatively affects CBD consumption. 

However, CBD can cause negative side effects, such as:

• Liver injury

• Drowsiness

• Diarhea

• Mood changes

• Changes in appetite 

For this reason, the FSA advises that people consume no more than 10 mg of CBD a day in food and to avoid taking CBD if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, or under 18.

Are CBD gummies safe and legal to consume?

As long as CBD gummies contain less than 0.3% THC (or 1mg per finished product), then they are legal to buy and sell in the UK. 

While they are legal to consume in the UK when they are compliant and properly formulated, they aren’t risk-free, so you should always check where you’re buying them and the ingredients included in the gummy.

Be careful of any that claim to offer medicinal benefits, as they are to be sold as novel foods and meet the UK’s CBD food rules.

Find the right gummies for you 

At Natural Strains, we want the best for you. 

That’s why our CBD gummies are free from nasty additives, gelatine, or gluten, making them suitable for vegans and those with gluten intolerances. We also use natural juices for our tasty flavours, with no artificial sweeteners or GMOs involved during the process.

If you’re looking for gummies that are safe, tasty, and simple to use, then browse our collection today. You can even shop by flavour or strength!