Chill out: CBD gummy review

Let’s get scientific, fellow stoners of Lansterdam: There are more than 100 cannabinoids in the average cannabis plant. Two of the most talked-about cannabinoids are THC and CBD. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives consumers the sensation of being “high,” while CBD is non-psychoactive and can provide relief for consumers suffering from chronic pain or mental illness. When isolated, THC and CBD can provide vastly different effects: an 85% THC distillate cartridge can make users feel “stoned,” whereas high doses of CBD can make you feel very relaxed but still lucid. However, when various cannabis compounds work together, there can be unique and beneficial side effects. This “entourage effect” helps create a more powerful high that can help consumers reach new levels of relief.

I taste-tested a variety of CBD and THC gummies while being sick last week (get your flu shot, folks). Read on for my full review:

PlusCBD Reserve Collection gummies | CV Sciences | 30 for $55

Each gummy from the PlusCBD Reserve Collection contains 25 milligrams of CBD and 2.5 milligrams of THC, making it a perfect starting point for daily, well-balanced relief. The gummies contain natural ingredients and full-spectrum cannabis extract. The “full-spectrum” component means that all the good parts of the cannabis plant, like the terpenes, cannabinoids and amino acids, are included to create a more potent edible. Most full-spectrum CBD gummies contain trace  amounts of THC, but it is a very small amount (about 0.03% per container for the PlusCBD gummies, specifically). The combination of THC and CBD in Reserve Collection gummies can greatly benefit consumers looking to elevate their mood, sleep and overall relaxation. PlusCBD Gummies are vegan, soy-free and do not contain any artificial flavors or sweeteners. I am personally a fan of their peach-flavored gummies and have been taking one to two before I go to bed for the past few weeks. Even when my three cats are causing chaos in the middle of the night, I sleep soundly and wake up refreshed.

PlusCBD Calm gummies | CV Sciences | 30 for $35

If you are looking for something to help keep your spirits bright during a potentially stressful holiday season, CBD is a great option. PlusCBD Calm gummies are an even better one. Each PlusCBD Calm strawberry lemonade-flavored gummy contains 10 milligrams of CBD and a blend of herbal ingredients. This includes L-theanine, a compound found naturally in tea that has been shown to help counteract blood pressure increases in stressful situations, and 5-hydroxytryptophan (or 5-HTP, which sounds like a name of a boy band), a mood-boosting compound that is produced from the seeds of an African plant called Griffonia. These gummies offer relaxation without intoxication, making them a perfect pick-me-up that can be taken daily. 

PlusCBD Sleep gummies | CV Sciences | 30 for $35

Each PlusCBD Sleep gummy contains 10 milligrams of CBD, 3 milligrams of melatonin and its own blend of herbal ingredients: magnolia bark, an herb used to help combat anxiety and depression, and lemon balm, a lemon-scented herb from the mint family that has been found to help with restlessness and insomnia. This combination helps consumers fall asleep and stay asleep without the worry of feeling groggy and out of it the next day. You can try both PlusCBD Sleep and Calm gummies in the PlusCBD Holiday Survival Kit, a special bundle that contains a jar of both gummies for a discounted price, through the company’s website (pluscbdoil.com). PlusCBD gummies can also be found at Better Health Markets for folks that would rather shop in-store.

1:1 pomegranate gummies | WYLD | 10 for $15

WYLD gummies hit Michigan this year and have taken the edible market by storm. The Oregon-based company was founded in 2016 and started making full-spectrum CBD and THC-infused gummies in 2019. Each gummy is made with real fruit and natural ingredients, and they are offered in 100-milligram packs and 200-milligram packs for the more veteran stoners. WYLD offers products with a variety of THC-to-CBD ratios, like its 1:1 pomegranate gummies, so there is truly a product for everyone, regardless of their tolerance level. For the pomegranate gummies specifically, each individual gummy contains 10 milligrams of THC and 10 milligrams of CBD.