CBD gummies – the perfect little on-the-go option. Discreet, delicious, easy to travel with, and most importantly, packed with all the therapeutic benefits that CBD has to offer. And while they are about as simple as CBD dosing can be, they still raise plenty of questions.
Are CBD gummies actually legal here in the UK? How do they stack up against CBD oil? Do CBD gummies offer the same relief from inflammation, stress, anxiety, or pain? And how many do you need to eat per day to feel a difference?
Here, we answer all the more commonly asked questions on everyone’s favourite way to get their daily dose of CBD.
Key TakeawaysÂ
- CBD Gummies Are Legal in the UK – As long as they contain no more than 0.2% THC, they are classified as food supplements under UK law.
- They Work by Interacting with the Endocannabinoid System – CBD influences receptors linked to mood, pain, inflammation, and sleep, offering various potential benefits.
- CBD Gummies vs. CBD Oil – What’s the Difference? – Gummies are pre-measured, discreet, and tasty, but take longer to work than sublingual CBD oil, which absorbs faster under the tongue.
- Dosing Varies by Individual – A good starting point is 25mg per day, adjusting based on factors like body weight, metabolism, and desired effects.
- Not All CBD Gummies Are Created Equal – Always choose reputable brands that provide third-party lab testing (COA) to ensure purity, potency, and compliance with UK regulations.
What are CBD gummies?
The name kind of says it all, but to be clear, CBD gummies are chewy sweets infused with CBD oil. They come in a massive range of shapes, sizes, flavours, and dosage levels – they’re about the easiest and tastiest way to get your CBD fix.
Are CBD gummies legal in the UK?
Yes, and they have been since 2016. 2020 saw a change in the status of CBD when it was officially classified as a food supplement, with slightly heavier regulations than before. The UK strictly enforces the rule that CBD products cannot contain more than 0.2% THC (or 1 mg per container/package).
Where can I buy CBD gummies in the UK?
In 2025, CBD products (including gummies) are so easy to find. Your local high street stores probably have them in stock, and there are countless online retailers offering a variety of options to choose from. Just make sure to do your research and only buy CBD gummies from reputable companies that offer COA (Certificate of Analysis) for their products.
One of the easiest ways to research CBD companies is right here at CBD Ratings. All the bigger players in the UK CBD market are reviewed, listed and given an overall rating – so you can always get your CBD gummies from the most trustworthy sources.
How do CBD gummies work?
CBD is a powerful therapeutic/wellness compound that works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, along with other receptor systems, including serotonin (mood), dopamine (motivation), GABA (anxiety), vallinoid pain receptors (pain and inflammation), and more.
By binding to receptors in the above-mentioned systems, or by modulating the production/release of certain neurotransmitters, CBD gummies can help with a surprisingly wide range of common health issues.
What are the effects and benefits of CBD gummies?
CBD is a fascinating compound, and has been shown to offer a huge range of wellness/health/therapeutic benefits. Right now, the research into CBD (and medical cannabis more broadly) is exploding, with CBD showing great potential in helping people overcome:
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety issues
- Depression symptoms
- Chronic pain (arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.)
- Inflammation (inflammatory bowel disease, acne, psoriasis, etc.)
- Epilepsy/seizures
- Neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.)
How do CBD gummies compare to CBD oil?
CBD is CBD is CBD… Well, kind of.
The only real difference (from a purely CBD standpoint) is that CBD gummies have to be eaten, whereas CBD oil can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) or applied topically directly to the skin. Sublingual application bypasses the digestive system, delivering CBD directly into the bloodstream for a faster onset of effects, and topical application allows for targeted relief to specific areas of the body.
That said, gummies have their own unique benefits. They offer an easy to take and tasty pre-measured dose. They are discreet, which makes travelling with your CBD super easy, and you can take them without anyone even noticing. On top of that, some people just really do not like the taste of CBD oil – CBD gummies solve that issue.
How many CBD gummies should I take for the best effects?
That comes down to what you are trying to achieve health-wise, but there are some outside factors that can and will influence your dose. Your body weight, your tolerance to cannabinoids, the type of CBD (is it isolate or broad spectrum), and the strength (milligrams of CBD per gummy) will all come into play.
A good starting point for most people is around the 25 mg mark per day. Try that for a week, and if you don’t start to feel any of the benefits listed above, up the dose by 5 mg a day until you hit that sweet spot.
For further therapeutic benefits, consider if cannabis-based medications that include THC might be a better option for your health needs. Medical cannabis is legal in the UK, and has been since 2018. Talk to your doctor or reach out to a UK medical cannabis clinic to find out more.
When is the best time to take CBD gummies?
Again, that depends on why you are taking them.
- If you struggle with morning anxiety and stress, then take them with breakfast to set yourself up for a relaxed and focused day.
- If you find it hard to fall asleep, you should take them around 45 minutes before you go to bed.
- If you are taking CBD gummies for more general health purposes, then it doesn’t really matter what time of day you take them – just be consistent.
How long does it take for CBD gummies to start working?
CBD gummies take between 30 minutes and two hours to kick in, with most people reporting positive effects within an hour.
How long do the effects of CBD gummies last?
When you eat CBD, like with CBD gummies, the effects last for around 4 to 6 hours.
It is worth pointing out that if you take CBD every single day, the effects start to ‘stack’. This means that you should get a more pronounced effect after taking them for a week or so, but keep in mind that CBD tolerance is a real thing.Â
A few day’s break every month, or using CBD for five days on and two off will help prevent your body from developing a tolerance to CBD.
Are there any side effects of taking CBD gummies?
CBD has been shown, through very rigorous clinical research, to offer an excellent safety profile. However, there are some side effects to be aware of when taking CBD gummies, including:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness/fatigue (especially when taken in higher doses)
- Changes in appetite/weight
- Diarrhoea or general gastrointestinal discomfort (in rare cases)
- Changes in blood pressure
- Interference with other medications
Can CBD gummies interfere with other medications?
Yes, CBD can interfere with certain medications, primarily those metabolised by the liver (like statins and blood thinners). If you are currently taking any medication regularly, it is best to check with your doctor before starting with CBD gummies.
Can CBD gummies make you feel high?
No, CBD is totally non-intoxicating. It is classed as slightly psychoactive due to its effects on neurotransmitters, but it will not make you feel high.
Will taking CBD gummies result in a positive drug test?
Potentially. CBD products are legally allowed to contain up to 0.2% THC here in the UK.
If you are worried about drug testing and CBD gummies, make sure you choose an option that uses CBD isolate – this ensures that no THC is present.
Can you travel with CBD gummies in the UK?
Yes, CBD gummies are totally legal throughout the UK.
Can CBD gummies help with anxiety and stress?
Yep, and there is a bunch of peer-reviewed research showing as much. CBD is a great addition to any treatment plan targeting anxiety and can help lower stress levels by interacting with our endocannabinoid and GABA systems.
Can CBD gummies improve sleep quality?
Yes, CBD gummies have been shown to really help those battling to get to sleep, or get a full 8 hours each night. One study showed that over 60% of participants reported improved sleep within the first month of taking CBD.
Do CBD gummies help with pain relief?
They do, but not as much as medical cannabis products that contain THC. CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory and does have an impact on the TPVR1 receptors (which are responsible for pain perception), but it is not as effective as THC in killing pain.
Are CBD gummies good for beginners?
CBD gummies are a great option for people just beginning to explore the world of CBD. They are easy to take, tasty, and offer a pre-measured dose. CBD oil options, even the flavoured ones, often come with a slightly overpowering taste that can be a little offputting. CBD gummies do mostly a great job of hiding the taste of CBD.
Are CBD gummies safe for kids?
Yes, but we heavily recommend speaking to a doctor that has experience with CBD for children before giving your child CBD gummies. Children should be given much smaller doses of CBD than adults, and it is essential to get the correct dosage for their age and weight.
Final thoughts
CBD gummies are quite rightly taking over the CBD market in 2025. The convenience they offer is supreme, they usually taste pretty amazing, they’re even somewhat nostalgic, andthey make dosing just so easy.
But remember, don’t run out and buy any old CBD gummies. Do your research right here at CBD ratings, make sure the brand and product have a solid reputation, and if you find something that works for you (and we are confident you will), stick with it.
And while you’re here, why not leave a CBD review for your favourite CBD brand? Help the community out and let us know what worked (or didn’t) for you and why. We, and everyone else considering CBD, appreciate it!
