CBD gummies are a popular choice because they’re discreet, easy to use, and easy to find. High-quality CBD gummies also have long shelf lives and come in a variety of fun flavors.
However, CBD gummies don’t last forever. If you’re wondering whether CBD gummies expire, the answer is yes. They last a long time, but no food item is perfectly safe forever.
Let’s take a closer look at CBD gummies. We’ll start with a basic review of what CBD is. Then, we’ll dive into CBD gummies expiring.
Keep reading for helpful tips on how to extend the usable life of CBD gummies. We’ll also explore how to tell if gummies are expired, and more.
The Basics of CBD: What It Is and Why People Use It
CBD is a naturally occurring chemical found in cannabis and hemp plants. It acts on the body’s endocannabinoid receptors, causing specific effects.
That makes CBD a cannabinoid. This term also applies to Delta 8, Delta 9 THC, and many other chemicals found in cannabis and hemp plants.
While it’s in the same group as those other cannabinoids, CBD stands out among them. Most, although not all, cannabinoids are psychoactive. They cause what’s commonly called a high, creating feelings like an elevated mood and an increased tendency to laugh.
CBD is not psychoactive in this sense. Its effects are more closely related to treating issues related to health and quality of life.
The World Health Organization explains that pure CBD does not present issues related to the potential for abuse or addiction.
Why People Use CBD: Intended Effects and Side Effects
More research is still needed to confirm these benefits, as Medical News Today explains. That said, reasons people use CBD include treating issues like:
- Chronic pain
- Insomnia and sleep disorders
- Inflammation
- Anxiety
CBD also has certain side effects, although these tend to be moderate and manageable. Some users report a higher likelihood or strength of side effects following large doses. These include fatigue, dry mouth, and feeling light-headed.
Legality of CBD
CBD is legal federally when it’s sourced from hemp plants containing no more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC. It’s also legal in the vast majority of individual states. Leafwell explains that some form of CBD is sold in most states, but Idaho and Nebraska have additional regulations.
What are CBD Gummies? How Do They Work?
In simple terms, CBD gummies are a type of gummy candy that contains CBD.
Dependable manufacturers offer CBD gummies in a standardized dose. That makes it easy to scale your own dose up or down as needed.
The most common dose for a single CBD gummy is 5 mg. Most CBD edibles in general are dosed at 5 mg or multiples of that number.
Consuming CBD means your digestive system acts on the CBD before it enters your bloodstream. That tends to lead to a delay, somewhere between 30 minutes and two hours, before noticing its effects.
However, the effects of edibles also tend to last longer than smoking or vaping CBD. With CBD gummies, you may notice their effects for up to six hours, or even longer.
Can CBD Gummies Expire?
CBD gummies can and do expire after enough time has passed.
The gummy candy itself is shelf stable, not needing refrigeration. However, as with most other foods, the gummies will still lose quality over time. After enough time passes, expired CBD gummies become unpalatable or unsafe to eat.
CBD extract will also lose potency and quality in the long term after they’re made. Years-old CBD gummies simply won’t be as potent or effective as freshly made gummies. The same is true for gummies containing other cannabinoids, like Delta 8 gummies.
The good news is that these are both very slow processes. CBD gummies are also shipped and stored in sealed containers before purchase, which helps to extend their shelf life.
The general rule of thumb is that gummies have a shelf life of about one year. That’s unless the manufacturer or container itself states otherwise, of course.
What are Signs of Expired CBD Gummies?
Signs your gummies may have expired include:
- Firm or tough gummies that are hard to chew, sometimes looking dehydrated or cracked
- Less noticeable effects after waiting for your body to digest the gummies.
- Odd or unpleasant textures or smells.
What Happens if You Eat Expired CBD Gummies?
The good news is that eating expired gummies often only leads to mildly unpleasant side effects. The effects won’t be as strong. The flavor and texture will both likely be less enjoyable than those of an unexpired gummy.
However, food poisoning is a small but real risk, as is the case with nearly any other expired food. If your gummies smell, look, or otherwise seem off, don’t eat them.
Tips to Help Your Gummies Last Longer
You may be able to extend the shelf life of your CBD gummies by:
- Keeping them in their original packaging, or in an airtight container
- Avoiding long exposures to sunlight and high humidity — store your CBD gummies in a cool, dry, and dark place
Where Can I Find High-Quality CBD Gummies?
CBD gummies are available from a wide variety of retailers, but they aren’t all made to the same standard. Buying high-quality gummies from a dependable retailer and manufacturer is always important.
Being choosy can help you avoid gummies that are close to expiration or don’t provide their intended effects. Because you’re looking for specific effects from CBD gummies, it’s worth taking a little time to find a source you trust.
Delta 8 Resellers takes the quality and potency of our CBD gummies seriously. That’s true for all of our CBD products and every offering in our store.
We carefully vet our suppliers and only choose high-quality brands with long track records of customer satisfaction. Most importantly, we share the results of independent third-party lab testing for our products. That means you can tell exactly what’s in any CBD gummies you may want to buy.
