8 Best CBD Gummies For Sleep For A Relaxed Mood Before Bedtime*

You can't fall asleep, let alone catch that quality zzz's that are crucial for your well-being. You're frustrated, you're exhausted. But there's one option that you may not have considered yet to promote a night of rest: the best CBD gummies for sleep.*

These CBD gummies are a natural alternative to melatonin. They'll help put you into a relaxed state before bedtime to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

As hemp CBD affects each person differently, we created a baseline reference for CBD potency at mindbodygreen:

Gentle: Less than 20 mg of hemp CBD per serving

Moderate: 20 to 39 mg of hemp CBD per serving

Strong: 40+ mg of hemp CBD per serving

Although plenty of hemp CBD brands create special sleep supplement formulas, hemp CBD can only benefit your sleep so much.*

Unlike THC, it's thought that CBD doesn't bind directly to the brain and make you feel tired, California-based physician Bonni Goldstein, M.D., previously told mbg.

Instead, CBD is believed to interact with other cannabinoid receptors in a unique way that helps promote a steadier mood and better stress management.* So even though many people think CBD helps you fall asleep, it's often just a side effect of your body's more relaxed state from introducing a balancing and calm-promoting phytocannabinoid into your endocannabinoid system or ECS.* 

A large case series study1 published in the Permanente Journal supports this idea; it found that taking between 25 to 75mg of hemp CBD can promote mental and physical relaxation.* So instead of counting sheep, your calmed mind should easily fall asleep.

Knowing the power of CBD is limited, it's important to find formulas that don't solely rely on the cannabinoid to put you to sleep. Other botanical ingredients that promote calm—such as chamomile2, lavender3, L-theanine4, lemon balm5, and magnesium6—should also be incorporated into the formula to ensure your pick can actually help you snooze.* 

Just be warned that quite a few brands make their hemp CBD gummies for sleep with melatonin. We recommend avoiding these options for daily consumption, as they may throw off your body's natural production of the hormone. 

RELATED: I Ditched Melatonin For CBD Gummies & I Finally Wake Up Feeling Refreshed

When shopping for the best CBD gummies for sleep, experts say there are a few key factors to consider: 

Arguably the most important is the product's ingredients list. When it comes to hemp, founder and lead formulator of JBK Wellness Labs Jenelle Kim, DACM, L.Ac., says you want to look for organically grown hemp that has ideally been third-party tested by an independent lab not affiliated with the brand. A COA, or certificate of analysis, should be readily available on the site to confirm quality and safety.

The product's potency is vital, too. Potency refers to the dose of phytocannabinoids (with the star being CBD, of course) in each gummy serving. For calming relaxation and sleep support, according to herbalist, chemist, and trained CBD expert Heather Beach, PhD, you should "look for 20 milligrams of CBD or more" in a hemp CBD gummy.* But since every person's biology is unique, a more gentle dose may be viable. Botanical extracts and their health impact are quite personalized in that way.

As for red flags to keep an eye out for, Kim warns against brands that have more marketing information, sales, and promotions cluttering their websites than they do information about the actual product and its ingredients (the active ingredients and other ones, too). If the brand isn't transparent about where its hemp is sourced from (region is nice, but specific state or country is ideal), lab test results for purity and potency, etc., be wary. 

What's more, when shopping for broad- and full-spectrum formulas, Beach notes that combinations of different cannabinoids can affect an individual's experience with a product. "If you find that you are not falling asleep faster, staying asleep longer, or are having adverse reactions," Beach says, "it is best to stop the CBD gummy and search for other sources of relief."

Melatonin is a popular sleep aid, but it's also a hormone. Your body natural releases melatonin, but factors like like stress7, excess light8 from screens, and caffeine9 can impact its production.

While many people take melatonin to help with sleep on a nightly basis, no research has been done on the impact of taking melatonin longterm. What's more, many supplements opt for high doses of melatonin—sometimes upwards of 20 milligrams—when the research points to just .05mg to 5mg10 for resetting your circadian rhythm (or internal clock). Per a previous interview with Ferira, this modest dose "mimics physiological melatonin levels."

As a result, we don't recommend taking melatonin on a nightly basis. However there are rare instances where it might be beneficial for some, such as those traveling or starting a new work schedule, who need to reset their internal clocks.

Endocannabinoid system (ECS): A cellular-level communication network involving cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and specific enzymes. This unique, whole-body system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis across all the body’s organs and physiological functions, including but not limited to stress resilience, mood, sleep, appetite, inflammatory balance, and pain modulation.

Cannabinoids: Unique bioactive compounds that interact with your body’s endocannabinoid receptors. Your body creates cannabinoids (called endocannabinoids, like anandamide and 2-AG) and you can also ingest them (called phytocannabinoids, like CBD) from certain plants like Cannabis sativa, aka hemp.

Cannabidiol: The formal name for CBD, a unique phytocannabinoid compound found in the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).

Full-spectrum hemp: Full-spectrum hemp has the “full spectrum” or array of the hemp plant’s cannabinoids—including CBD—as well as other beneficial native compounds, like terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids. This full array of intrinsic botanical bioactives is thought to facilitate the “entourage effect.” By law, full-spectrum hemp extracts in the U.S. can have up to 0.3% THC by dry weight (i.e., trace levels).

Broad-spectrum hemp: Broad-spectrum hemp retains many of the beneficial compounds found in full-spectrum hemp but filters out any THC. These extracts are sometimes referred to as “THC-free” products.

CBD isolate: CBD isolate products have a single cannabinoid: CBD. As a result, they won’t provide the “entourage effect” from the full array of hemp bioactives.

Terpenes: Unique aromatic bioactive phytonutrient compounds that give many plants their unique aroma, flavor, and beneficial biological properties. 

Flavonoids: A large family of polyphenolic phytonutrients found in many plants (including hemp) that give particular flavors, colors, and health properties.

There are three main types of hemp CBD sources: CBD isolate, broad-spectrum hemp, and full-spectrum hemp. 

CBD isolate is CBD void of any other ingredients or cannabinoids other than cannabidiol, while broad-spectrum hemp formulas include the additional compounds found within the cannabis plant but intentionally minus THC. Registered RDN and certified holistic cannabis practitioner Emily Kyle, M.S., tells mbg these may include "cannabinoids and naturally occurring terpenes" but never THC.

Full-spectrum hemp, on the other hand, does have trace levels of THC, as well as all of the native botanical compounds (i.e., other phytocannabinoids plus terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids) you would find in a broad-spectrum CBD (hence the name "full"). However, in order to be considered federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, full-spectrum hemp in the U.S. cannot have more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. (In the European Union, it's even more strict at less than 0.2% THC by dry weight.)

According to Kyle, when determining what kind of CBD gummies are best for sleep, full-spectrum hemp is widely considered the best option, as the full array of cannabinoids and terpenes present contribute to the "entourage effect."

Broad-spectrum hemp and CBD isolates, on the other hand, are better suited for those who do not want any trace of THC in their systems. Ergo, what kind of CBD you should take will ultimately depend on your personal needs and preferences. Remember to always discuss with your health care provider before starting any supplement.

Always follow the specific hemp gummy product's instructions, but in general, anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes before bed is an ideal time to take CBD gummies for sleep. Since it's a confection, you'll want to brush your teeth afterward. However, because different products include unique formulas and ingredients, Kim advises referencing the product label for specific instructions: "Your body digests different food at different rates, so the type of gummy and what ingredients it is made of play a factor."

The golden rule experts advise following when figuring out how many CBD gummies you should take for sleep is to always start with a small dose and to increase the dosage in increments (if needed). 

"Because CBD does not create a 'high' feeling like THC does, it can be hard to tell which dose is right for you at first," Kyle tells mbg. However, because the dosage of CBD gummies is measured in increments, it's easy to control and adjust your dosage until you figure out how much CBD is good for sleep at night.

"My best advice is to be patient and willing to experiment for a week or two so you can have enough time to assess how you feel as you increase the dosage," Kyle says, adding that it might be beneficial to keep a journal and jot down your experiences with each dosage. (This is why partnering with your health care provider before starting is essential.)

To optimize your product's freshness and safety, you'll want to store hemp CBD gummies at room temperature away from light and nearby sources of heat and humidity. Keep the container tightly sealed for longevity of the product (and because gummies can harden) and to reduce external things like microbial contamination.

Inadequate sleep quality (and quantity!) can take a huge toll on your health and well-being. Studies show that lack of sleep can lead to poor focus and daytime performance, but exacerbate conditions such as hypertension, depression, and anxiety11. That's why it's crucial to take stock of your sleep hygiene and make improvements wherever you can.

Beyond CBD gummies, there are a handful of other ways to improve your relationship with sleep. Sticking to a regular schedule, avoiding screen time before bed, and meditation are all easy (and free) ways to encourage a better sleep. Want more suggestions? Check out our list of 20 science-backed ways to fall asleep naturally.

There are myriad methods for lulling yourself into a deep sleep, but sometimes even the most tried-and-true strategies fall flat. Taking CBD gummies for sleep is an option for those struggling to fall and stay asleep throughout the night. These hemp delights taste like candy and promote a good night's rest, making them the game-changer you might just need to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.*

12/24: Our team added original photography, along with tester quotes and takeaways, to better help readers find the right formula for their individual needs. We also added information pertaining to the total sugar in each gummy, and updated our pick for best CBD gummies with melatonin to reflect a product reformulation and repackaging by Medterra.

1/17: We added additional information about melatonin to help readers decide whether or not they want a CBD gummy formulated with the hormone.

2/3: Brand images were replaced with photos taken by testers. We also added the cost per mg of CBD to help shoppers find the options offering the best value.

2/22: Our team updated the subnav to help readers better navigate content and find the exact information needed. We also added a cheat sheet for understanding CBD dosage.

3/1: Our team added additional information to the FAQ, as well as additional comments from testers about the flavor of each gummy. We also added information on whether brands offered subscription discounts.

3/9: We updated the copy to include key ingredients.

3/16: The latest update includes a CBD glossary breaking down the basics of hemp.

4/19: We updated this article to highlight our team's standout picks.

5/19: We added a low-sugar option and a comparison table to help you see how these gummies stack up.