CBD has taken the world by storm and for good reasons. Through many different studies, it has shown itself to having a variety of potential benefits. Some of the most common reasons people take CBD include helping with anxiety, stress, and sleep.
One of the most popular options for taking CBD is CBD gummies. They are easy to use and taste great. And many people who try CBD gummies feel it provides beneficial results for them.
So, it is no surprise that CBD gummies have flooded the market. But there are still a lot of questions about them. It is not uncommon for someone who has not had personal experience with CBD to wonder if it is truly safe to take. If you are asking yourself, “are CBD gummies addictive?”, this article can help put those concerns to rest.
In short, at the recommended levels, CBD gummies are considered safe for healthy adults as long as the CBD is from legal hemp, not from marijuana. Hemp-based CBD is regarded as being a mild substance that’s non-intoxicating and non-addictive. It is generally well-tolerated even at high doses but may cause drowsiness, nausea, and diarrhea.
Please note that CBD gummies are not intended for children. People who are pregant of nursing should talk to their doctor before trying CBD. And if you are taking any prescription medications or are under medical supervsion, always consult your healthcare provider.
What Is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid (natural compound) that comes from the cannabis plant family. Because cannabis can be a confusing and polarizing plant, some people still may be unsure about how hemp-derived CBD is different from marijuana with THC. The main thing to know is that CBD does not have any psychoactive properties (it will not get you high) and does not show any signs of causing addiction or dependence.
CBD plays a part inside the human body’s endocannabinoid system by interacting with the receptors in the brain. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for all kinds of important daily functions and overall well-being. For example, it helps to control and manage sleep, appetite, pain, and anxiety. Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids to take center stage in this system. But phytocannabinoids (the ones plants make, like CBD) can enter and still play a pretty big role.
So far, many studies are finding the CBD can offer some pretty big benefits with very little to no risk. (Like anything, there are things to consider and be aware of, so keep reading for more information.) CBD has been found to not be addictive. In contrast, there are multiple studies that suggest it may actually have a positive effect on people who are already struggling with addiction and help them to reduce things like cravings and related stress.
What Is the Difference Between CBD and THC?
THC and CBD are both phytocannabinoids grown in the cannabis plant. However, they are completely different compounds and have very different effects on our bodies and minds.
Marijuana is high in THC, while hemp is high in CBD. They are made of the same chemical elements: 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. But our bodies receive them as different compounds thanks to their differing arrangements. THC binds to neurotransmitters in our brains and affects things like mood, sleep, and memory. It also makes people feel high. THC is illegal in many places.
CBD (cannabidiol) on the other hand does not cause any type of intoxicating effects. It does not bind to the receptors in the human brain. It just interacts with them to help the cannabinoids that the body naturally produces stick around as long as they can. Also, CBD products are legal in the USA as long as they contain below the federally mandated limit of THC (so nowhere near enough to cause any psychoactive effects).
What Makes Something Addictive?
Substances that lead to addiction or dependence do so because of how they affect the pleasure centers of our brains. Once the brain stops getting signals from these substances, it can cause withdrawal symptoms.
It can be hard to tell exactly what is going on when your body depends on a substance to feel good. You may have a physical dependence issue. Or you may have an addiction. There are slight differences between the two.
Doctors may use these terms interchangeably, but this can lead to confusion as they are not technically the same. Many professionals are moving away from using these terms at all and are now starting to use the term “substance use disorder”, which is a more general term and can range from mild to severe.
Addiction
Addiction is a brain disorder that has both psychological and physical elements that are difficult and sometimes impossible to distinguish between.
Common withdrawal symptoms are insomnia, irritability, nausea, or depression. But symptoms can include many more things. And they can range from mild to severe depending on the level of dependence.
If someone has been taking an addictive substance for a long time or in high quantities, they are more likely to experience extreme withdrawal symptoms when they decide to stop.
Dependence
Dependence is the term used when the body and mind have gotten so used to a certain substance that the person doesn’t feel okay without it anymore. In this case, since the body depends on the substance to feel good, they can go through physical withdrawals if they don’t get it.
People sometimes use the term psychological addiction, but perhaps what they really mean is psychological dependence.
Physical dependence happens when the body starts to rely on getting a substance just to function normally. When they stop taking the substance, that is when physical symptoms of withdrawal hit.
This can happen whether the person is psychologically dependent or not. For example, if you are used to having half a pot of coffee every morning, you may start to depend on it to get your brain up to speed each day. If you decide to skip it for some hot chocolate one morning, you may end up with a blasting headache and feel sluggish all day. This would be a result of physical dependence on the caffeine in your coffee.
Psychological dependence can also occur for anyone who believes they need to do or take something just to function normally every day. They may experience strong thoughts that make it hard for them to think about anything else throughout the day. Or they may feel extreme cravings and have a difficult time breaking habits.
For example, you can have both a physical and psychological dependence, if you sit around and think about how much better your day is when you get a big hot cup of coffee. If you look forward to the way it tastes and smells as soon as you wake up in the morning, it may seem like you need it even more than you actually do. In this case, you may be experiencing psychological and physical dependence.
It is possible to have just a psychological dependence too.
If you spend a lot of time thinking about or taking a product, have a loss of interest in other usual activities, have strong emotional cravings, or feel like you need it to do certain things like sleep or socialize, then you may want to speak to a professional about the possibility of having a psychological dependence.
Does CBD Have a Risk for Addiction?
It is important to do some research and practice self-reflection when trying a new product to make sure you are not taking any risks. Thankfully, CBD is not known to show any signs of dependence or abuse potential.
Legal CBD gummies do not contain anything that is considered an addictive substance (unless you are addicted to sweetness). According the the U.S. Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (aka 2018 Farm Bill), to be legal, CBD products must contain less than 0.3% THC. Generally speaking, in addition to the CBD extract, gummies contain a sweetner (such as cane sugar, juice, or rice syrup), a thickener (such as gelatin, corn starch, or fruit pectin), and flavoring. Other common ingredients include coloring and citric acid.
There is some evidence that CBD may be able to help people who are already living with substance abuse issues. For example, a 2015 review found that CBD had positive effects when given to people receiving treatment for opioid and cocaine addiction. And a 2019 study found that it might also help with reducing drug-induced cravings, paranoia, and withdrawal symptoms caused by certain drug use.
Even though CBD is not addictive, it is always the best to check with your healthcare professional first before adding new supplements to your routine. And, if you are someone who already deals with substance abuse issues, speak with your doctor about ways CBD may help.
Can You Take Too Much CBD?
Like almost anything, even water, it is technically possible to have too much. So, yes, you could potentially take too much CBD and experience some unwanted, uncomfortable side effects. But, in reality, it would require you to consume a lot of CBD in a short period of time.
An average serving size for a gummy is about 25mg of CBD. Most products recommend taking one to two gummies per day. Most people experience no problems if they take a couple of gummies in the morning and a sleep gummy in the evening.
Even if someone did decide to take more than the recommended dosage, studies suggest that CBD can be well tolerated for up to 1,500mg per day. Not that we recommend anybody take that much but it is good to know that even at high amounts it is considered safe for healthy adults.
Like any health supplement, it is recommended that you always speak with a medical professional before trying a new product and always closely follow the dosage instructions provided. Start with the minimum recommdndated amount then slow increase if needed to experience the desired effects.
Does CBD Have Any Side Effects?
CBD is generally well-tolerated by most people even at high doses, but it can cause mild side effects (esepcially is taken in big amounts). The most common side effects are diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness.
It is also important to note that CBD may interact with certain medications. So, if you take prescription drugs or are being treated for a medical contition, always speak with your doctor about how to safely add CBD to your routine in a way that won’t interact with what you are already taking.
How Long Do CBD Gummies Take To Work?
This question depends on you and your tolerance level. It also depends on things like your biology, if you took them on an empty stomach, and how much you took.
Edibles have the slowest onset time but they have some of the most powerful and long-lasting effects. When you eat an edible (such as a CBD gummy), it has to travel through your entire digestive tract and get metabolized by your liver before you will feel them kick in.
You can expect to feel the effects settling in after about an hour, but for some people, it can take two. Some study participants even report feeling the most effects as long as three hours after first eating any edibles.
How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?
CBD can stay in your system for a long period of time depending on how you took it, how much you took, and also how your body processes it.
A half-life is the amount of time it takes the body to eliminate something. Usually, a substance will be fully eliminated from the body after about 4 to 5 half-life cycles. The half-life of CBD can range from about 1 hour to 5 hours.
Consistent gummy consumption could increase that time frame up to closer to 10 hours. That means it could be in your system for at least 25 days if you consume big quantities.
How To Find the Best CBD Gummies
We offer two types of CBD gummies: Fruity Delight Yummy CBD Gummies (24mg CBD/gummy) and Fruitful Dreams Yummy CBD Sleep Gummies (24mg CBD/gummy + Melatonin). Both are made from high-quality, all-natural ingredients and contain pure CBD extracted from organically grown American hemp. Plus, they taste great! Our gummies come in an assortment of fruity flavors (grape, watermelon, green apple, and pineapple) and are free of artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.
All Yummy CBD products are crafted from the finest ingredients in small batches and independently tested and certified for purity and potency.