We tested the best CBD gummies and more, so you don’t have to

We all want to feel calm, cool, and collected, but at what cost, exactly?

I’ve found that around $40 usually does the trick, as long as you know how to spend it on the right, high-quality, affordable CBD brands that work for you.

It feels like CBD (an abbreviation for cannabidiol found in the hemp plant) is now everywhere — incorporated into CBD gummies, drink mixes, skin salves, bath bombs, patches, and even food and beverages. It’s easy to forget that CBD products are still somewhat new to the market — hemp only gained non-controlled status in 2018.

While booming in popularity, many are still unsure what CBD is or if it is psychoactive like its cousin chemical, THC. According to Harvard Health, “CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most prevalent active ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). While CBD is an essential component of medical marijuana, it is derived directly from the hemp plant, a cousin of marijuana, or manufactured in a laboratory. One of hundreds of components in marijuana, CBD does not cause a high by itself.”

I’ll be the first to admit that I used to be a skeptic; I was convinced that a CBD cream or drink could be no more effective than lotion or a cup of tea. But I was wrong — so very wrong. The therapeutic benefits are so much more powerful, and various clinical studies back it up. CBD has been shown to ease anxiety and stress, improve sleep, and even help reduce chronic pain.

There are so many products on the hemp market to try, and since the effects vary from person to person, we suggest doing some of your own research before jumping in. While it’s not psychoactive, the effects of high-quality CBD can be pretty noticeable — but not so noticeable that they’re distracting.

It took me some experimenting to discover the best CBD for me, which is why I’ve now taken it upon myself to give back in return. As the willing guinea pig in this trial, I’ve decided to give a few of the best brands a shot and report back here for you.

Below, find some of the best CBD products to shop in every form, flavor, and price range imaginable. You may come out feeling less anxious, more relaxed, or, in the worst-case scenario, with a new yummy drink mix or soothing lotion to use.

Best Variety of CBD Products: Cornbread Hemp

Cornbread Hemp’s full-spectrum CBD and (mild) THC gummies, topicals, and oils were made for every kind of CBD user — pets included. The pet-friendly corn dog-flavored option is safe for cats and dogs, and customers can attest to its calming effect. Many pet owners say this oil greatly reduces anxiety in their pets and works quickly.

In addition to pet-friendly picks, the brand also makes gummies with strengths ranging from 750mg to 3,000mg of CBD, which are known as the highest-quality, high-dose CBD gummies on the market. We love the efficacy of Cornbread Hemp, but the brand’s all-American story is truly worth supporting. Kentucky-made with real organic berries, these gummies are all quality with none of the stuff you don’t want. And if you’re like the rest of us and hate running out of your favorite sleep aid, Cornbread’s “subscribe and save” option knocks 15% off every order — so you can stay stocked, save money, and stay chill.

New York Post Review: “I’ve tried both the 750mg and 1500mg Cornbread Hemp CBD Sleep Gummies, and let me just say — these little guys work. The 750mg is my go-to for regular “I just need to turn the volume down” nights, but the 1500mg? That’s my emergency parachute for when my brain is doing backflips at 2 a.m. and I’ve spiral-scrolled to the point of no return. They’re full-spectrum, made with organic ingredients, and they actually taste good, like real fruit, not sad lab berry. No melatonin hangover, no weird dreams about your neighbor. Just a smooth, slow slide into sleep that feels like being tucked in by someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Reviewed by Commerce Editor/Reporter Kendall Cornish

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Best CBD Tinctures: Lazarus Naturals

Lazarus Naturals offers a full suite of CBD products for every need, strength, and flavor preference — and the tinctures are a customer favorite. Reviewers say the full-spectrum CBD option is ideal for someone who wants to relax quickly but without a high. Per our testing, we have to agree — the effects of the tincture were fast and noticeable, but not so overwhelming that they hindered us in any way.

New York Post Review: I like a few Lazarus Naturals CBD products, but the tinctures were easily my favorite. In the tinctures versus gummies debate, I’ve always leaned toward the chewables because I associate them with longer-lasting effects and love anything sweet. What I hadn’t realized was the impressively fast-acting power of the tincture that I was missing out on. Lazarus Naturals offers so many interesting flavors, like chocolate mint and strawberry lemonade, so you can still enjoy a fun flavor and reap the benefits of quick-hitting absorption at the same time. If you have somewhere to be fast and you just need to chill, I highly recommend trying it. Give it five minutes and you’ll be ready to go.

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Best CBD for Anxiety: Sunday Scaries

Scare the scariest scaries away with these CBD products from Sunday Scaries. “Sunday Scaries are the feeling of stress, nervousness, and worry that many people experience on Sunday nights. They are the ping of fear that hits when you realize that the weekend is over and Monday is near — and it sucks!” reads the Sunday Scaries site.

The Vegan AF CBD gummies come in a rainbow of gumdrops inside a teal package. There are 20 gummies per pack, with 10 milligrams of CBD per gumdrop. The brand also offers pre-made bundles of joy, combining top-selling products, merch, and more into a discounted package. To rep the brand, check out the Everyday Scaries pack and get a bottle of the classic gummies plus a hat with an adorable gummy bear on it. For those who want CBD day and night, the bestselling Sidepiece Bundle is on sale now for just $43, down from $98, and comes with a bottle of gummies for the day and a tincture of CBD oil for nighttime.

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Best CBD Gummies: TribeTokes

For a true CBD supplement, head to TribeTokes. This brand offers a range of products to cover all your needs, but the THC-free gummy selection is among the finest we’ve found. Customers say they’re so tasty that it’s hard to stop themselves from eating too many. Some have described these as “the perfect dose” — especially for stress relief. We decided to put them to the test firsthand and find out for ourselves.

New York Post Review: When I first saw the TribeTokes gummies, I thought immediately of a Sugarfina candy box (which means it’s probably a good idea to store them safely). But it also means that they’re just that beautifully packaged and look delicious. These gummies are soft and chewy, and the flavors are super sweet and tangy. Most people suspect that a completely THC-free option may not be as effective as full-spectrum CBD, but I was beyond impressed with how much these gummies helped me wind down at night. I’d strongly suggest them for anyone who regularly feels body or mind tension — you’ll quickly swap that sensation for full-body relaxation. They’re the perfect dose, indeed.

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Best CBD Oil for Intimacy: Foria

This company takes CBD out of the medicine cabinet and into the bedroom: “As the first-ever cannabis and hemp brand in the sexual wellness space, it’s our joy and mission to offer effective organic and plant-based formulas for vibrant wellbeing, in and out of the bedroom. Our lines for intimacy, relief, and wellness have been changing lives since 2014,” reads the website.

Their offerings span three broader categories listed on their website, titled “intimacy,” “wellness,” and “relief,” each with oils, topicals, and other treatments with varying amounts of CBD in each. To start, the intimacy collection features a natural lubricant with CBD to be used topically to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of sexual activity and can be applied as needed. They also offer a great “Quickie Kit” which includes two 15ml bottles of their Awaken Arousal Oil with CBD and Sex Oil, plus two Intimacy Melts to enjoy.

New York Post Review: “As soon as you discover Foria, you’ll instantly forget any other oils you’ve come across. The flavorless CBD intimacy oil is described as an all-natural arousal oil that can enhance pleasure and ease comfort, but I argue it goes even deeper than that. The fast-acting formula hits all the spots; it slides over the skin smoothly, wastes no time getting to work, and a little goes a long way, so you shouldn’t have to run through it too fast. I’m sure the feeling is different person-to-person, but I’ll just say you’ll probably feel things you’ve never felt before. A warm, fuzzy, encompassing relaxation. I suggest pairing it with some of Foria’s other oil offerings, like the botanical massage oil for the best results. The smell alone is a turn-on, and it really seems to enhance the full-body feeling. Only one warning to be careful — this type of oil is not compatible with latex condoms, so relax at your own risk!”

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Best CBD for Sleep HOLISTIK Wellness

For those who have a hard time sleeping, try HOLISTIK Sleep. It has 10 milligrams of CBD that’s blended with melatonin and chamomile. Its fast-acting nano emulsion will have you feeling drowsy in about 20 minutes, which is just enough time for you to wash your face, brush your teeth, put on your favorite PJs and get under the covers.

It can be difficult to know how much or little CBD to take, which is also why we like HOLISTIK Wellness. Along with not using pesticides or GMOs in the growth of its hemp, the broad-spectrum CBD of each product is preportioned in portable Stir STIKs. The clever design completely takes the guesswork out of the process, so you can focus on feeling more relaxed, focused or whatever else you need.

When you add yours to your cart, don’t forget to also use code NYPOST to enjoy 20% off sitewide.

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Best CBD Drinks: Recess

While many of us don’t miss the classroom, we sure could use a little more recess in our adult lives. Recess is a sparkling water and drink mix company on a mission to make that a reality, taking a break in your day to sip on something sweet and infused with broad-spectrum hemp, in addition to adaptogens like American ginseng, lemon balm, and L-theanine.

For sparkling drink fans, the flavors will tickle your taste buds. They currently carry blood orange, peach ginger, pomegranate hibiscus, black cherry, coconut lime, and blackberry chai, with 10 milligrams of hemp extract per can. For those who can’t decide, the sampler pack is your best bet, coming in a six-pack with one of each or a 12-pack to share with a friend.

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Best CBD Patches: Fleur Marché

Peel, stick, and forget! These CBD patches from Fleur Marché make using CBD so much easier, and are targeted to your needs for that moment. The patches come in four different colors and focus areas called “Sleep, Plz.,” “Energy, Plz.,” “Relief, Plz.” and “Sex, Plz.” Starting at just $6 for a patch, they contain 20 milligrams of CBD extract per patch and can be worn for up to 12 hours.

Stick them on the veiny part of your inner arm for best results, and then go about your day. Sleep, Plz. includes melatonin, Energy, Plz. has B12, Relief, Plz. contains peppermint oil and menthol and Sex, Plz. has a blend of L-Arginine, Maca, and Tribulus. For those who can’t decide, stick with the variety pack, which comes with either one or two of each, depending on what you choose.

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How We Tested

Now for the fun part — putting these products to the test. You likely have a few questions (maybe even some hesitations) you’ve probably had before buying a CBD product, so we set out to find some answers by experimenting with some of these top tinctures, gummies, oils, and more. While reviewing, we considered a few factors: form and flavor, hemp quality, speed of the effects, duration of the effects, and overall potency.

• Form and Flavor: Most people will have their personal preferences when it comes to the form and flavors of CBD — when reviewing different brands, we considered the range of choices offered. We noted the flavor, whether there was any hempy or earthy aftertaste, and whether the product was easy to apply, swallow, or drink.
• Hemp Quality: We considered where the hemp was sourced, whether it was USDA-certified organic, and looked at the ingredients to see what other flavors, sweeteners, and herbs (if any) were featured in the blends.
• Speed of effects: Different forms and strengths of CBD influence how long it takes to start feeling the effects. We observed whether they came on fast and strong, or if it took some time to let the effects sink in.
• Duration of effects: CBD effects can last for minutes, hours, or even close to a day, depending on the form. When paying for CBD, you’ll probably consider how long you can reap its benefits. We kept track of how long we felt relaxed and whether any other effects lingered.
• Potency: Was it strong enough? Too strong? These seem to be some of the primary concerns when it comes to CBD, so we considered how noticeable the effects were and whether they targeted the areas and needs which they were advertised for (stress, pain, sleep, etc.).

How to tell if CBD is high quality?

There are a few labels to look for to ensure you’re getting high-quality CBD. We recommend checking the hemp source to see whether it’s been grown organically and where it comes from. Different regions have different hemp-growing regulations, which is why it’s important to research their agricultural standards, extraction process, and standards for pesticide use. Always review all the ingredients, including additives like flavors, sweeteners, or other herbs. Reputable brands may provide third-party testing credentials.

Which form of CBD is most effective?

Different forms of CBD provide different effects, but it’s also important to note that individuals can react differently to different types and strength levels of CBD. CBD tinctures are absorbed quickly and typically are marketed for those who prefer faster-release and stronger effects. Gummies and capsules are ingested, which can take more time to start working, but the effects may last longer throughout the day. CBD topicals and creams are said to work best for localized relief as they penetrate the skin without moving into the bloodstream.

Does CBD show on a drug test?

Technically, CBD is not measured in drug tests. Drug tests look for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the element in marijuana that causes a high. Some CBD products (like full-spectrum CBD) can contain trace amounts of THC. In the U.S., CBD products can not contain more than 0.3% THC. While it would be very unlikely this would flag a positive result, high doses or frequent use could increase the likelihood of CBD showing up on a drug test. For pure CBD, look for a CBD Isolate.

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