“Do CBD gummies expire?” is a collaborative post.
If you haven’t tried CBD gummies yet, then you are missing out on some really good stuff. They are delicious, convenient, and offer many potential health benefits without any risk of dependency or side effects.
Most people eat them way before the mentioned expiry date on the box, but exceptions are always there. Yep, just like any other edible products, CBD gummies also expire after a certain period.
For many users, CBD gummies are a one-shot solution to manage pain, anxiety, stress, and sleep complications. So it’s important to understand the best way to store and use them for maximum relief.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about safely and effectively adding CBD gummies to your wellness and recovery routine.
How long does it take for CBD gummies to expire?
The expiration date for CBD depends on multiple factors, like ingredient quality and storage conditions. Generally, certified gummies from reputable and high-quality brands like Colorado Botanicals have a shelf life of 12–18 months.
This happens because after a certain time period, cannabinoids and other natural ingredients used as ingredients start to break down and lose their potency.
To increase their sales, sometimes lesser-known and cheaper brands put a much earlier expiry date. Always try to avoid such lesser-known and non-vetted brands. Only buy your gummy stock after checking product reviews, lab reports, manufacturing processes, and other necessary information.
But one thing you should keep in mind is that a product does not go completely bad just after the expiration date. It might still be effective for a few days but with much less strength. But it’s best to avoid this scenario, and if you are serious about your wellness, there’s no way any gummy will be left in the box after the expiration date.
How to tell if gummies are past the expiration date?
It’s quite common for labels to fade over time, making it difficult to keep track of expiry dates. The invoice date may give you a slight idea, but it’s necessary that the stock arrived on the same day when you bought it.
Maybe it has been sitting on the shelf for the past few months. So to avoid confusion, you can check the following to confirm whether gummies are still okay to eat. It’s time to throw them out and order a new batch.
Check the texture: Fresh gummies are quite squishy and soft and might also leave some oiliness on your hand when you press them between fingers.
If you have a box without a date, take one gummy and try to squeeze it. If it’s hard and dry and you don’t feel any oil in them, then chances are they have expired.
Colour, smell, and taste: There’s no better detective than our nose and taste buds. Take a whiff, and if gummies have a musty odd smell, then it means that they are expired.
You can also take a small bite, and the taste will be very foul and weird if they have expired. The color change can also indicate that gummies are not fresh.
Change in effectiveness: All cannabinoids lose their strength over time. If you notice that gummies are not as effective as before, then there’s a possibility that they have expired.
But this is a hit-and-miss method because our bodies do get tolerant over time. So instead of solely relying on it, make sure to thoroughly check the taste, smell, texture, and colour.
What happens if I accidentally eat expired gummies?
Not much, really; gummies won’t cause any major harm even after expiration. Max to max, they’ll lose strength, so you won’t feel much therapeutic or healing effects. But cannabinoids are not the only ingredients in CBD gummies.
There are juices, flavours, preservatives, oils, and more such stuff that might react negatively with your body after the expiration date. Sometimes these expired gummies also become a breeding ground for bacteria and mould.
This may lead to digestive issues and pain for some people, especially those with weaker immunity. Hence, it’s best to avoid expired gummies; your health is more crucial than saving some money.
How to save CBD gummies from going bad?
The expiration date is not the only measure of the effectiveness and freshness of CBD gummies. They can go bad before they expire if not stored properly. To improve the shelf life of delicious bite-sized treats, you have to follow certain storage rules.
First, always keep them in an airtight container, and fasten the lid properly after every use to avoid degradation from high air exposure. Next, keep the gummy jar away from direct sunlight. UV rays can cause immense harm to the effectiveness and strength of gummies, and heat can make them hard.
To avoid this, it’s best to keep your gummies in a cool, dark, and moisture-free space. Room temperature is fine, but if you are in a hot and humid area, then it’s best to keep gummies in the fridge.
What’s the best way to take CBD gummies?
One of the best ways to take CBD gummies is to gulp them after dinner, especially with fatty foods. Why? Because taking CBD with fatty foods results in better absorption of cannabinoids by the body.
Plus, CBD levels shoot up in the body by up to four times, and the risk of nausea also goes away. You can do them in the morning also, but the majority of people prefer a nightly routine for improving their sleep and recovery sleep during the resting period.
The key note
To sum it up, yes, CBD gummies do expire. They have a shelf life of 12–18 months, but this can vary slightly depending on the gummy type, ingredients, and manufacturing processes. To fully enjoy the benefits of CBD gummies, you must store them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
Poor storage conditions may result in reduced effectiveness, an odd taste, a bad smell, and a change in texture. So keep track of when you bought the package, and maybe click a picture of the label to note the expiration date in case it fades over time.
Also, brand quality can make a huge difference in overall effectiveness, so try to buy gummies only from reputed and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.
