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The best CBD syrups: Everything you need to know

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The best CBD syrups: Everything you need to know

Table of contents

CBD syrup is thick, flavored, syrup infused with CBD that has a look, taste, and feel akin to cough syrup. In addition to cannabidiol, many CBD syrups also include melatonin as a sleep aid, natural terpenes, and herbal additives infused into the mix. 

CBD syrup works as an intake method for cannabidiol that doesn’t require smoking and can potentially have a quicker onset than other methods like capsules or gummies. It is also often marketed as an intake method for people who don’t like the flavor of CBD oils and would prefer to mix in a little sweet syrup with a soft drink to help it go down easy. 

Most companies recommend consuming around 1-2 teaspoons or a tablespoon of their syrup either before bedtime for the nighttime versions, or in the morning on a daily basis for the daytime versions. 

1
  • Wide variety of flavors
  • Company states that the syrup can also help with congestion
  • Includes melatonin
2
  • Added melatonin to aid sleep
  • Affordable price
  • 25mg of CBD and 2mg melatonin per serving
3
  • Added melatonin to aid sleep
  • Sugar, nut, soy, dairy, and gluten free
  • Enriched with natural terpenes
4
  • Pesticides, hexanes, GMO, and THC free
  • Contains a wide variety of herbal ingredients
  • Easy to access lab results
5
  • Higher dose of CBD than the nighttime version
  • Sugar, nut, soy, dairy, and gluten free
  • All natural ingredients

Pure Hemp CBD syrup – 200mg CBD bottle

  • Bottle size: 4 fluid ounces
  • Price: $35
  • Full or broad spectrum: pure isolate 
  • Flavor: Grape, sour apple, cherry, blueberry 
  • List of ingredients: Simple Syrup Mf, Natural Flavoring, Propylene Glycol, Nano-Emulsified Anhydrous Hemp Extract Oil (Aerial Parts) 200Mg, Food Coloring (colors vary according to flavor)

With grape, sour apple, cherry, and blueberry, Pure Hemp’s CBD syrup provides an impressive variety of flavors. The syrup provides a hearty 200mg CBD per bottle, along with 10mg of Melatonin. The company states that it can also alleviate congestion, stuffiness, and coughing, though your experience may differ. 


CBD Sleep Aid Syrup 200mg

  • Bottle size: 4 fluid ounces
  • Price: $15
  • Full or broad spectrum: Full spectrum
  • Flavor: Grape, cherry 
  • List of ingredients: Melatonin, proprietary Broad Spectrum Nano Hemp Extract (aerial parts) 200 mg Cannabidiol (CBD), Sorbitol, Deionized Water, Citric Acid, Salt, Natural Flavors, Fruit and Vegetable Juice (Color)

With 25mg of CBD and 2mg of melatonin per serving, CBD Living’s sleep aid syrup is geared towards people looking to get a good night’s sleep with a tasty spoonful of syrup. The syrup comes in both grape and cherry flavors, and other than an artificial sweetener, it has entirely natural ingredients, including fruit and vegetable juice. The company states that their proprietary self-emulsifying technology allows for quicker, better absorption and that just a tablespoon before bedtime is enough to bring on the Zs.  


Cannabinoid Creations 100mg CBD Syrup – PM

  • Bottle size: 4 fluid ounces
  • Price: $30
  • Full or broad spectrum: Full spectrum
  • Flavor: Grape, cherry  
  • List of ingredients: Syrup Vehicle, Cannabidiol (CBD – 100 mg), Melatonin (10 mg), Citric Acid as preservative

Cannabinoid Creations’ CBD syrup – available in grape and cherry flavors – includes a generous dose of 100mg CBD and 10mg of Melatonin per bottle. The syrup is nut, soy, dairy, sugar, and gluten free, and is enriched with natural terpenes. The suggested serving size is also pretty small – just 1-2 teaspoons to help you get to sleep. 


Cloud N9ne Hemp Syrup – 150mg CBD bottle

  • Bottle size: 4 fluid ounces
  • Price: $24.99
  • Full or broad spectrum: full spectrum 
  • Flavor: Grape 
  • List of ingredients: Hemp Oil, Melissa Officinalis, Scutellaria Lateriflora, Nepeta Cataria, Piper Methysticum, Vegetable Glycerin, Ocimum Tenuiflorum, Passiflora, Lactuca Virosa, FD&C Food Coloring, Turnera Diffusa, Salix Alba, Coconut Oil.

“Sip and relax on the clouds” is the tagline behind Cloud N9ne’s CBD syrup, which the company states is “hemp oil syrup infused with 9 highly concentrated all-natural herbs” and sure to have you feeling like you’re floating in the clouds. Even if you don’t reach anywhere near the stratosphere, this syrup comes with 150mg CBD per bottle, or nearly 20 mg per tablespoon. 


Cannabinoid Creations 200mg CBD Syrup – AM

  • Bottle size: 4 fluid ounces
  • Price: $50
  • Full or broad spectrum: full spectrum
  • Flavor: Grape, cherry  
  • List of ingredients: Syrup Vehicle, Cannabidiol (CBD – 100 mg), Citric Acid as Preservative

We don’t only live in the PM, and the AM CBD syrup made by Cannabinoid Creations is for providing relief during the rest of the day – without putting you to sleep. The syrup doesn’t include melatonin, but has double the CBD of the nighttime version and the same tasty cherry or grape flavors. 


Is CBD syrup lean?

CBD Syrup often comes in traditional cough syrup shaped bottles (Shutterstock)

Long a main-stay of hip hop – especially in the South – “lean” is codeine and promethazine cough syrup that is usually mixed with Sprite in a styrofoam cup and sipped while listening to some slowed down rap. 

Lean has inspired an entire genre of hip hop and a sound that can be heard throughout the industry today, but what if anything does it have to do with CBD syrup? Nothing, at least not when it comes to the actual ingredients. 

Most CBD syrups today, especially those sold in non-legal cannabis states contain cannabidiol, a non-intoxicating cannabinoid. It does not produce an intoxicating high, though it can bring on a relaxing, even sedative effect, especially if it includes melatonin. But it is far from providing the same narcotic effect as codeine and promethazine cough syrup. Promethazine based cough syrups are extremely addictive because of their opioid ingredients, and can be fatal in high doses. 

But CBD syrup and lean do have one thing in common – the marketing used by CBD makers, who often refer to it as “CBD lean” or “CBD lean syrup.” Many CBD syrups seem to be trying to appeal to the look and vibe of consuming lean. The bottles and syrup are often purple like lean (aka “purple drank”) and users often recommend mixing the syrup in with some Sprite, which would bear a close resemblance to “dirty Sprite.” 

How much CBD syrup should you take?

Most CBD syrup brands recommend consuming either 1-2 teaspoons or around a tablespoon, typically at bedtime. The bottles are typically pretty small, just four ounces. This comes to just 8 tablespoon doses per bottle, so your dosing considerations may also include the price point and how long you want the bottle to last. 

If you already take CBD on a regular basis, consider taking a dose of CBD syrup that corresponds to your typical dose with gummies, tinctures, or other intake methods. If you’re trying out CBD syrup for the first time though, you may want to try a half dose first just to see if it isn’t too strong. This is especially true if using a syrup that includes melatonin. 

Can CBD syrup get you high?

CBD syrup does not contain THC and thus will not produce the same intoxicating effect of smoking cannabis. But CBD can have a calming, anxiety-reducing effect that could be considered a “high” in it’s own right, though not what one would associate with being stoned or really high. In addition, the melatonin can potentially produce a sedative effect, but not one that can truly be compared to a standard THC high. 

Potential side effects of CBD syrup 

Because it contains cannabidiol, CBD-infused syrup can potentially cause some of the same effects of any other CBD product. The side effects of CBD can include diarrhea, irritability, liver injury, and somnolence, among others. In addition, CBD products can potentially have harmful interactions with a variety of prescription drugs, including some anti-epileptic drugs, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants. 

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