CBD edibles are in high demand and provide a tasty way to eat small amounts of CBD. While they’re great for a treat in the long term, they’re slow to take effect, have poor bioavailability and can come with large amounts of fat and sugar. Consequently, it’s important to take the time to decide if, for you, they’re worth the money.
"CBD edibles" is the name given to any food or drink that has had CBD-rich hemp extract added to it. They can be as simple as gummies or chocolates, but could also involve more sophisticated recipes and even full meals. In the UK, there is an impressive range of pre-made CBD edibles available, but they’re also easy to make yourself with a few drops of CBD oil added to your favourite food items.
CBD food products are subject to Novel Foods rules and require authorisation. The FSA currently says there are no authorised CBD extracts or isolates. Some existing products are being tolerated while linked to an application and listed on the FSA Public List; appearing on the list is not approval or authorisation. Controlled-cannabinoid rules are also more nuanced than a simple 1mg-per-container limit: the 1mg figure forms one part of a specific exemption for certain products or preparations. CBD foods must not be presented as medicines unless authorised as medicines.
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid and won’t get you high. If you buy a legal CBD edible in the UK it may contain tiny traces of THC. THC is the cannabinoid found in cannabis plants that gives the high that they’re famous for. However, in such tiny amounts, it won’t produce any intoxicating effects.
The variety of CBD edibles available in the UK seems to get broader every day with innovative creations and new flavours. However, there are a few types that remain consistently popular:
CBD gummies – CBD gummies combine fruity flavours with an easy way to take a precise amount of CBD. They come in a wide range of strengths and flavours so you’re bound to find some that suit your taste.
Cookies/biscuits – Ready-made CBD cookies are not commonly found in online stores but they’re sometimes available in coffee shops. If you want to try a CBD cookie, try our recipe for CBD chocolate chips cookies.
Chocolates – CBD chocolate bars and individual chocolates are particularly tasty ways to consume CBD and offer the added benefits of cocoa powder. CBD chocolate can also be melted and added to other recipes.
Current FSA advice: healthy adults should limit total CBD from food to 10mg a day, including CBD from other food products used that day.
When you select any edibles for purchase, always check how much CBD is in each item. That will allow you to work out how many you can eat per day.
It’s worth checking what else is in the edible before deciding your daily amount, as some are high in fat and sugar, which may not suit your health goals.
Most CBD edibles also contain animal products; if you require a vegan alternative, these gummies from CBDfx or these organic ones from BioBloom are delicious.
Swallowing CBD is the slowest, least efficient way to get CBD into your bloodstream to be transported around your body. It’s likely to take from one to two hours for you to notice any effects from the CBD.
How long CBD stays in your system depends on several factors, including how much you take and your body composition. With CBD gummy bears, you may notice effects for between two and six hours, and the cannabinoids will leave your system within two to five days.
At for the Ageless, we only stock a small number of gummies from brands we know and trust. This is because, on the whole, edibles are not a cost-effective, efficient way to take CBD. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons to help you decide if edibles are worth it for you:
Pros
Cons
In most cases, pre-made CBD edibles are not worth the money. However, if you do decide to try them, you can use these tips to ensure that you get a high-quality, genuine product:
CBD edibles are the least effective way to take CBD, and most products are excessively expensive. We only stock a few gummy brands that we believe offer genuinely valuable and effective products. Other than this small stock, we don’t sell any other edibles. We aim to ‘nurture a world of health-conscious, ageless individuals’ and most edibles available in the UK are so high in fat and sugar we don’t believe they’re compatible with this.
If you’re still keen to try some CBD edibles, we recommend looking at our selection of gummies, or you can save a significant amount of money by buying your CBD in oil form and placing it under your tongue.
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Led by Daniel Pérez Vidal, the For the Ageless team researches and assesses every product we stock. We specialise in CBD, bioregulators, natural supplements and skincare, combining careful selection with clear information and personal one-to-one guidance.