Key takeaways:
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CBD gummies are a convenient and flavourful way to take CBD on a daily basis
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In the UK, CBD products are permitted to contain THC, but only ever at very low levels of 0.2% or less, and they won’t get you high or become addictive
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There are three types of CBD: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and CBD isolate
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Full-spectrum CBD gummies contain THC, but at very low levels
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Broad-spectrum CBD gummies have had the THC removed, and CBD isolate products contain no THC
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If you want to avoid THC completely, opt for CBD products made using CBD isolate
What are the ingredients in CBD gummies?
CBD (cannabidiol) gummies are soft, sweet-like chews that contain CBD. Many people choose to take CBD gummies each day as a convenient way of taking CBD.
Research suggests that CBD may help to relieve chronic pain, support better sleep, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
The ingredients in CBD gummies vary by brand, but they generally include CBD along with various vitamins and botanicals.
General ingredients
CBD gummies are similar to chewy sweets, so they need ingredients that sweeten the flavour and create a chewy mouthfeel.
Ingredients may vary slightly depending on the brand or manufacturer but the following are common ingredients:
Sugar and sweeteners
Some CBD gummies are sweetened solely with sugar, others with artificial sweeteners and others with a combination of sugar and natural flavourings to make their products taste sweet and fruity.
Gelatin
Gelatine is a common ingredient in both sweets and CBD gummies, giving the product a chewy texture that doesn’t immediately dissolve in the mouth.
However, gelatine is an animal product made by boiling animal bones, usually a pig or a cow, to produce pork or beef gelatine. If you’re vegetarian or vegan or you avoid pork or beef products for cultural or religious reasons, avoid CBD gummy brands that use gelatine.
Pectin
Pectin is a plant-based alternative to gelatine, made from a fibrous polysaccharide found in citrus peels and apple skins, which gives sweets and gummies a chewy texture.
Stabilisers
Most edible products need stabilisers and acids to help keep the product stable on the shelf and in your home.
Vitamins and minerals
Some CBD products also contain added vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D and magnesium, for extra health benefits. Others have added botanicals and superfoods for extra flavour and to further enhance the benefits of CBD gummies.
Water
All CBD gummies contain water, as this helps to bind the dry ingredients together and form a gummy.
CBD
Finally, CBD gummies will, of course, contain CBD extract, which will be one of three types: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate….
Full-spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the naturally occurring compounds found in the hemp and cannabis plants. This includes the cannabinoids, CBD and THC. The THC in full-spectrum CBD products is at very low concentrations of 0.2% or less.
This type of CBD also contains naturally occurring terpenes and flavonoids. Terpenes are compounds that give CBD products the subtle scent and flavour of cannabis (but no high). Flavonoids are natural plant compounds found in fruits and vegetables that may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD contains the terpenes and flavonoids found in the hemp plant, but it has had the THC removed. It’s typically produced by taking full-spectrum CBD and removing the THC through an extra processing step.
CBD isolate
Also known as pure CBD, CBD isolate contains the purest form of CBD, with no THC. CBD isolate is also free from terpenes and flavonoids, meaning that it doesn’t have the scent or flavour of cannabis.
This type of CBD is made by purifying hemp leaves until only crystals of pure CBD remain. These crystals are then ground into a powder that’s used to create the purest CBD products.
Goodrays CBD gummies ingredients
Goodrays CBD oil, drinks and gummies are made using pure CBD isolate. Vegan-friendly and Halal, they contain only the highest-quality, sustainably sourced plant-based ingredients.
Each CBD gummy from Goodrays contains:
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Tapioca syrup - helps to bind all the ingredients together, adds chewiness and prevents crystallisation
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Sugar - to slightly sweeten each gummy
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Water - to turn CBD powder into a gummy
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Pectin - a natural thickening agent and vegan alternative to animal-based gelatin, made from soluble fibre found in citrus peels and apple skins
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Natural flavourings - to add a fruity flavour
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CBD isolate - pure CBD
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Sodium citrate - an acidity regulator
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Citric acid and malic acid - natural acids that enhance flavour and keep each gummy shelf-stable
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Fruit and vegetable concentrates - to add colour
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Sunflower lecithin - a plant-based stabiliser
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Spirulina extract - a superfood powder rich in vitamins and minerals made from blue-green algae
Different CBD levels in gummies
Different CBD brands contain different levels of CBD. It’s recommended that you start with a low dose of 20 to 25 mg of CBD per day if you’re just starting, and monitor how you feel on this dose for a week or so. Most products contain around this amount per CBD gummy, so it’s easy to know how much you’re taking.
Starting on a low dose will also minimise your chances of experiencing side effects. Some people report mild side effects, including dry mouth, drowsiness and diarrhoea, which can disappear over time or with a lower dose.
Always read the label (even if it’s a brand you’ve used before, as formulations occasionally change) so that you know how much CBD you’re taking.
CBD vs THC
Because of the association between CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it’s common to be concerned about THC levels in CBD gummies. THC is the active ingredient in cannabis products that’s responsible for the psychoactive effects following cannabis use.
CBD and THC are both examples of plant compounds called cannabinoids. THC is a cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant and is the active ingredient in cannabis products, including marijuana. It’s responsible for the high, or psychoactive effect, felt after cannabis use and can become addictive.
Conversely, CBD is extracted from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis plant bred from seeds that contain zero or trace amounts of THC. Hemp-derived CBD products do not, therefore, contain THC, or they contain very low levels of THC (in the UK, CBD products have to contain 0.2% THC or less to be legal), not enough to cause a high. Using CBD products doesn’t cause a high or a psychoactive effect, and they’re not addictive.
Do CBD gummies contain THC?
Some CBD gummies contain very low levels of THC, while others contain none at all. In the UK, CBD gummies, along with all other CBD products, must contain 0.2% THC or less to comply with regulations. Taking a CBD product that contains 0.2% THC is unlikely to get you high.
The level of THC in a CBD product depends on the type of CBD used to create it: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum or CBD isolate.
Full-spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD products, including CBD gummies made using full-spectrum CBD, do contain THC, either in trace amounts or at a maximum concentration of 0.2%.
This isn’t usually enough to cause a high. However, when some people use full-spectrum CBD products on a regular basis, THC is able to build up in their system, and it may be traceable on a drug test. This is down to individual metabolism, and doesn't happen to everyone. But if you have regular drug testing due to your work or other reasons, opt for CBD products made using CBD isolate to avoid THC completely.
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD products have had the THC removed. Technically, this means the CBD has been processed to remove all THC, but very low trace levels may still be present.
Such low, trace amounts of THC are unlikely to build up in the body with regular use, but this extra processing step can mean that broad-spectrum CBD gummies and other products are more expensive.
CBD isolate
CBD isolate products are the purest CBD products available and contain zero THC. They’re also free from all other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, and often have no flavour or aroma. If you’re concerned about THC levels, even in trace concentrations, choose CBD products made using CBD isolate only.
Are gummies with THC legal in the UK?
Yes, CBD gummies that contain 0.2% or less THC are legal in the UK. The packaging of the CBD product will state how much THC is contained within the product, and what type of CBD it’s made from (full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate).
To ensure you’re taking CBD that complies with UK law and contains what the packaging claims it does, always buy CBD from reputable brands that are clear about where their CBD comes from and how it’s produced.
Will gummies with THC get you "high"?
There’s a small chance that full-spectrum CBD gummies will cause THC to build up in your body with regular use. This means that there’s a small chance THC will be detected on a drug test. However, full-spectrum CBD gummies contain THC at such low levels that it’s unlikely to get you high.
Studies and research
If you’re interested in how CBD works in the body, this article from Healthline discusses in detail how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of cells and receptors that helps to maintain equilibrium, or balance, within the body. It’s thought that CBD interacts with receptors in the ECS to help support factors such as better sleep, reduced pain and anxiety and greater calm and stillness.
References
Rd, J. K. M. (2025d, August 28). The health benefits of CBD — and a look at side effects. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cbd-oil-benefits
Zoppi, L. (2025, August 21). What to know about types of CBD: a guide. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/types-of-cbd
Timmons, J. (2025b, August 28). What to know about different types of CBD. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/cbd/types-of-cbd
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.
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