Key takeaways
- Cannabidiol (CBD) may help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer, though more research is necessary.
- CBD, in doses from
6 milligrams (mg) to 400 mgTrusted Source , can help improve anxiety symptoms. - Melatonin does not have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, so we do not recommend taking CBD infused with melatonin.
Clinical research is limited regarding how effective cannabidiol (CBD) is for sleep, and research into CBD gummies specifically is rare. However, early research suggests that this chemical compound can help. Plus, buyer reviews and some of our testers report that CBD has improved their sleep or helped them relax enough to fall asleep more quickly.
This article examines the best CBD gummies for sleep and the accompanying scientific research. Our picks have undergone rigorous medical vetting and do not contain ingredients such as melatonin due to safety concerns, which we discuss in more detail below.
A note on CBD and melatonin
Medical News Today does not feature CBD products that contain melatonin.
Melatonin products do not have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, and there is very limited research into how CBD may interact with added ingredients such as melatonin, vitamins, or minerals. There are also
In April 2023, researchers published a
The products in this article have passed Medical News Today’s strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free. However, this has not influenced their reviews. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
| Products | Why we love it | CBD per serving | Price per mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornbread Hemp | an overall wellness gummy for most sleep concerns | 20 mg to 50 mg | from $0.03 |
| CBDfx | a stronger option for more significant sleep problems | 50 mg | from $0.02 |
| Sunday Scaries | a THC option for relaxation before sleep | 25 mg | $0.10 |
We selected these CBD gummies for sleep based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. If you are starting your search for CBD gummies for sleep, consider keeping these qualities in mind.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
- the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
- any third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results
- marketing claims
CBD gummies for sleep can be a valuable part of your nighttime routine. Some of the benefits of taking CBD include:
- Improved sleep quality:
ResearchTrusted Source suggests that many people who take CBD for sleep report improved sleep quality. There is also evidence that it may help reduce the symptoms of some sleep disorders, such as: - Reducing symptoms of anxiety: Anxiety can make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. A 2020 review found that CBD in doses ranging from
6 milligrams (mg) to 400 mgTrusted Source can help improve symptoms of the following:- generalized anxiety disorder
- social anxiety disorder
- anxiety in people with post-traumatic stress disorder
- Pain relief: One
surveyTrusted Source found that most participants who used CBD reported that it decreased their pain and allowed them to reduce their intake of pain medication.
There are three different types of CBD gummies. Which ones you choose will depend on your needs and preferences:
- Full-spectrum gummies: These gummies contain all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other parts of the cannabis plant, including THC. As all of these components interact with each other in a way that might make the gummies more effective, full-spectrum products might be the best choice for you if you have more severe sleep difficulties.
- Broad-spectrum gummies: These gummies contain all of the parts of the cannabis plant except THC, which means that they may be just as effective as full-spectrum options. These gummies may be best for you if you prefer not to ingest THC, either for legal or personal reasons.
- CBD isolate: These gummies only contain CBD and no other parts of the cannabis plant. This type of CBD may be best for you if you require regular drug testing.
Gummies are a convenient way to take CBD, especially if you are traveling or want a premeasured dose. However, gummies are not always the most suitable option. Some alternatives include:
- CBD tinctures and oils: These products are a suitable choice if you prefer to keep ingredients to a minimum. Most oils and tinctures only contain CBD, a carrier oil, and essential oils for flavoring. However, you will have to measure each dose carefully using the oil’s included dropper, so this option may not be best if you prefer to take your CBD as easily as possible.
- CBD capsules: These products are a suitable medium between oils and gummies. Like oils, they tend to have a shorter ingredient list but have a premeasured dose and are easily transportable. However, if you are a vegetarian or vegan, you will need to read the ingredients list, as many contain gelatin.
- CBD topicals: You do not ingest CBD topicals — you rub them into your skin instead. Many have additional ingredients, such as warming camphor or cooling menthol, that may help relieve the aches and pains that hinder you from sleeping. Some examples of topicals include balms, lotions, roll-ons, and bath products such as bombs.
Looking for another type of CBD?
We’ve listed the gummies our testers specifically liked for sleep, but if you’re looking for more types of CBD or more about CBD in general, check out these articles:
Not all CBD gummies will make you feel sleepy.
Some people will not feel much of the effects of CBD at all. Higher doses may have a higher likelihood of making you tired.
Full-spectrum CBD may provide a more noticeable effect than broad-spectrum or CBD isolate. However, full-spectrum CBD includes THC, which can show up on drug tests.
Research has not determined a specific dosage of CBD for sleep.
Studies typically involve doses of 25 mg to 1,500 mg of CBD. It is best to consider starting with a low dose and increasing it gradually until a person achieves the desired effect.
However, it is important to stop using CBD and contact a qualified healthcare professional if you experience side effects.
A 2019 study on CBD for sleep and anxiety found that many people tolerate CBD well. Of the 72 study participants, 66.7% noticed sleep improvement, while 79.2% noticed anxiety improvement within the first month.
The participants took a 25-mg CBD dose, which the researchers noted as being the lowest dose with clinically adequate results that would also work out to be more cost-effective.
CBD gummies may help you fall asleep — especially those containing higher doses of CBD. However, it is always best to start with a low dose and work up to a higher dose.
Companies infuse gummies with CBD in different ways. If a manufacturer puts CBD on the outside of the gummy, you can suck the gummy for a few minutes to let the CBD absorb. If CBD is inside the gummy, you may have to suck or chew it to release and absorb the CBD.
You must follow the company’s instructions regarding dosage and consumption.
Companies selling CBD gummies for sleep typically recommend taking 1 to 2 gummies.
You need to follow the manufacturer’s dosage recommendation and start at a low dose if you are new to CBD. The company should display dosages clearly on the product packaging.
Yes, it is likely safe to take a CBD gummy for sleep every night. Research shows that most people can tolerate up to 1,500 mg of CBD daily, and gummies typically contain far less than this.
However, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional before using CBD, especially if you have any underlying conditions and take other medications. There is a risk that CBD can interact with certain drugs, causing unintentional side effects.
There is very little research comparing CBD and melatonin. Although they are both natural compounds, they work in different ways.
CBD is a cannabinoid that interacts with the body’s cannabinoid receptors, which affect pain, appetite, immunity, and more. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the body’s sleep and wake cycles.
While melatonin is well known for its positive effects on sleep, research into the sleep benefits of CBD is still in its early stages. Neither melatonin supplements nor CBD products are regulated by the FDA.
Melatonin, like other vitamins and supplements, does not have approval from the FDA, and no research discusses how CBD may or may not interact with added ingredients such as melatonin.
Because of the lack of research and no enforced standards, we do not recommend taking CBD products with added supplements or vitamins such as melatonin.
While there is evidence that cannabidiol (CBD) can help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer, research is still in its infancy. Scientists have not found an optimal dose or enough evidence to suggest that CBD is as effective as prescription sleep remedies.
There are many different types of CBD gummies, so you can consider factors such as cost, the form of CBD, and ingredients before making your choice.
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.
