Are Hemp gummies the same as CBD gummies?

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CBD oil and hemp oil are very different in terms of their composition.

Unlike CBD oil, which is made using all parts of the cannabis plant, hemp oil or hempseed oil comes from only the seeds of the plant. Hemp seeds don’t contain CBD. For CBD gummies to be legit, they need to contain CBD oil, not hempseed oil.

It seems like an easy distinction, but some companies falsely market hemp gummies as CBD gummies. Unless you’re taking a closer look at the ingredients, it can be easy to fall for the fraudulent claim.

One red flag? Price. If the pricing seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Since CBD products don’t have strict FDA regulations as far as quality and purity go, we took extra care when selecting CBD gummies. We used criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.

Each CBD gummy featured in this article:

• is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
• is made by a company that discloses the source of their hemp
• contains no more than 0.3 percent THC, according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
• passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA

As a part of our selection process, we also considered:

• the company’s certifications and manufacturing processes
• product potency
• overall ingredients
• indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
  • customer reviews
  • whether the company has been subject to an FDA warning letter
  • whether the company makes any unsupported health claims

When picking out hempseed oils to feature, we looked for products with:

• lots of positive reviews
• clear marketing that doesn’t try to dupe buyers into thinking they’re purchasing something that contains CBD

Pricing guide

• $ = under $25
• $$ = $25–$75
• $$$ = over $75

Best full-spectrum CBD gummies

Charlotte’s Web CBD Gummies, Daily Wellness

• Price: $$
• CBD type: full-spectrum
• CBD potency: 15 mg per gummy
• Count: 60 gummies per container
• COA: available online with batch number

These CBD gummies contain full-spectrum CBD, so know you’re getting the benefits of the entourage effect when you pop open this container.

Charlotte’s Web makes their products with U.S.-grown hemp. The gummies only contain natural flavors — no artificial ones — and they come in a tangy raspberry lime flavor.

If you fall in love with them, you can even subscribe for repeat shipments and get 20 percent off.

Use code “HEALTH20” for 20% off.

Best broad-spectrum CBD gummies

FAB CBD Chews, Anytime

• Price: $$
• CBD type: broad-spectrum
• CBD potency: 25 mg per gummy
• Count: 30 gummies per container
• COA: available online

These broad-spectrum chews are GMO-free, vegan, and free of dyes or additives. They’re sweetened with organic cane sugar and include a terpene called D-limonene.

Steer clear if you’re allergic to nuts, though, because they’re manufactured in a plant that also processes nuts.

FAB CBD offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and has a rewards program.

Use code “HEALTHLINE” for 20% off your first purchase.

Best organic CBD gummies

Joy Organics Premium CBD Gummies

• Price: $$
• CBD type: broad-spectrum
• CBD potency: 10 mg per gummy
• Count: 30 gummies per container
• COA: available online

These gummies from Joy Organics are available in two flavors: green apple and strawberry lemonade. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and sweetened with organic cane sugar and tapioca syrup.

The company has a rewards program for frequent shoppers and also offers carbon-neutral shipping.

Use code “healthcbd” for 20% off.

Zatural Virgin Cannabis Hemp Oil

• Price: $–$$$

Zatural sells both CBD and hempseed products. Each type of product is sold through different sections on their website and is clearly labeled. For example, the product label for this oil clearly states “no added CBD.”

Made from Canadian- and U.S.-grown hemp, this oil is vegan and can be consumed or applied topically. It comes in unflavored or peppermint varieties.

Nutiva Hemp Seed Oil

• Price: $–$$

Nutiva’s unflavored, cold-pressed hempseed oil is easy to find in stores or online. It can be used topically or added to food or beverages. If you consume it, Nutiva suggests using it raw or lightly heated.

The oil is certified USDA organic, non-GMO, fair trade certified, and vegan.

While the research on CBD is still in its infancy, it shows some potential to help with issues like insomnia and anxiety. Some people also use CBD to help with chronic pain, nausea, and depression.

Additionally, Epidiolex, the first FDA-approved medication to contain CBD, can treat rare forms of epilepsy.

Hemp gummies don’t produce the same effects as CBD gummies because they don’t contain CBD or THC.

Still, hempseed oil may have other benefits, such as helping with skin conditions like acne or psoriasis, because it has an anti-inflammatory effect. It’s also pretty nutritious. However, don’t expect it to quiet anxious thoughts or help you sleep.

You can buy both products online or in some stores.

However, it’s important to note that any supposed CBD gummies you see for sale on Amazon are most likely hemp gummies. You can’t buy CBD gummies from the online retail giant, as Amazon prohibits CBD sales.

So, are those hemp gummies you see on Amazon a good buy? Probably not. Many hemp gummies are falsely marketed as containing CBD or providing benefits that only CBD can provide. For this reason, we’re not featuring hemp gummies to buy in this article.

If you only want to consume hemp and not CBD, you’re better off looking for a hempseed oil rather than hemp gummies. There are many quality hempseed oils that can be bought online or in stores — we highlight two below.

If you want to buy CBD gummies, buy directly from a CBD company.

When buying a CBD or hempseed product, you’ll want to look out for the following:

CBD source

If you’re buying a CBD product, consider what type of CBD is in it. There are three types:

• CBD isolate
• full-spectrum
• broad-spectrum

Isolate is pure CBD and contains no other cannabinoids from the plant. If you want to avoid THC altogether, an isolate is probably your best option. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

First, there’s always a chance that any CBD product could contain trace amounts of THC. This may be particularly important if you undergo drug testing.

Second, the extraction process for CBD isolate, compared with full- and broad-spectrum CBD, is pretty involved and can strip away beneficial compounds like terpenes. That means that CBD isolate may not have the same health benefits as other types of CBD.

Broad-spectrum CBD doesn’t usually contain THC, but full-spectrum products do. The entourage effect suggests that CBD and THC may have more profound effects when taken together instead of alone.

Hempseed oil doesn’t contain CBD. Avoid products that claim to contain CBD but only include hempseed oil on the label. Additionally, if you see a CBD product that doesn’t tell you the exact form of CBD included, that’s a red flag.

Ingredients

Whether you’re buying hempseed oil or CBD gummies, it’s important to review the ingredient list. Hempseed oil should generally only have a single ingredient, though sometimes flavoring is added.

Some CBD gummies contain added ingredients, like lemon balm or melatonin, to boost the product’s effects or help make the flavor more palatable. Keep in mind that not much is known about how CBD interacts with vitamins, minerals, or supplements, so it’s best to talk with a doctor before taking a CBD product with one of these added ingredients.

If you’re vegan or want to avoid artificial ingredients, be sure the ingredients list suits your needs.

Third-party testing

Hempseed oil isn’t necessarily going to be third-party tested, but this extra step doesn’t hurt.

However, CBD products should absolutely come with a COA from a reputable, independent, third-party lab. Check the COA to be sure it includes the following:

• Date. Ideally, the COA should be no more than a year old.
• Potency. The amount of CBD listed on the COA should match what’s on the product’s packaging. Some variation is normal, but it shouldn’t be off by more than 10 to 20 percent.
• Contaminant testing. Check to be sure the product passes tests for heavy metals, pesticides, and molds, at a minimum.

CBD doesn’t produce the same “high” as THC, but it can cause mild side effects in some people. Some side effects include:

• diarrhea
• fatigue
• weight loss or gain
• appetite changes

Generally, though, CBD is considered safe as long as you aren’t pregnant or breastfeeding.

Whether you plan on taking CBD or hemp, talk with a healthcare professional or cannabis clinician before doing so. CBD, hemp, and some supplements may interact with certain medications.

Are hemp gummies the same as CBD gummies?

No. Hemp gummies don’t contain CBD. Instead, they contain hempseed oil. Hempseed oil has some benefits, but it’s not to be confused with CBD.

Can a hemp gummy get you ‘high’?

Nope. There’s no THC in a hemp gummy, so eating one (or more!) won’t get you “high.”

Which is better for pain: CBD or hemp?

The research is still emerging on CBD and its potential pain-relieving qualities. But what we do know so far is that CBD may help with certain types of pain.

Doing your homework is the best way to avoid being taken advantage of when buying CBD products.

Don’t be fooled by over-the-top marketing claims and wishy-washy descriptions. CBD gummies aren’t the same as hemp gummies.

CBD gummies are pricier and may help with a range of conditions. Hemp gummies, while nutritious, don’t produce the same effects as CBD gummies. They’re also generally less expensive, and it can be tough to find a quality version. If you’re interested in the benefits of hemp, consider taking hempseed oil rather than hemp gummies.

Regardless of whether you decide to take CBD or hemp, talk with a healthcare professional before adding it to your daily routine.

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.