Transform Your Night In

Nothing beats a cozy night in, trading the hustle and bustle of your active social life for a relaxing evening on the couch. Some might hear "night in" and question the available activities, thinking it’ll be dull and mundane. But our favorite pairing for a couch potato session is a good film. Even if movies aren't typically your thing, or if you're a seasoned cinema connoisseur, we encourage you to mix things up next time you find yourself with an evening to spare. Take  your cinematic experience to new heights with edibles—enjoy them during or before the feature starts, depending on the duration of your film and your desired effects.

Enhance Your Viewing Experience

Hemp enhances your senses and opens your imagination, making you more engaged with the film. Vibrant colors, interesting textures, and immersive sounds create more emotional depth and personal investment in the experience. Hemp-infused edibles are also known to be relaxing and stress-relieving, helping to quiet those pesky thoughts about your to-do list and allowing you to fully enjoy the film.

In addition to elevating your senses and mood, hemp can make you more comfortable physically due to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits. The CDC reported that in 2016, 20.4% of adults were living with chronic pain, and 0.8% of Americans had high-impact chronic pain affecting their professional lives. With so many Americans battling chronic pain, it's likely that many more live with some level of discomfort without realizing it until they feel relief. Lastly taking edibles at the right time to feel the effects while still having screen time left can boost your appetite, making all your movie snacks taste even better.

Timing is Everything 

Depending on your desired experience, some preparation is needed. Enjoying hemp-infused edibles as a snack during your film can be a tasty addition, but achieving the full effects for the duration of your movie requires a bit of thought and planning. Unlike smokables, hemp-infused edibles have a longer onset time and tend to last longer. If you’re new to edibles, it’s highly recommended to allow more time than you might expect; it's better to have extra time and not need it than to need extra time and not have it. Onset time can range from 30 minutes to one hour, with some cases reporting up to 2-2.5 hours before the effects set in.

Like alcohol, the contents of your stomach can affect both the onset time and the effectiveness of your edibles. Consuming edibles on an empty stomach can be upsetting for sensitive individuals, while a full stomach might hinder the desired effects. We recommend eating a light, well-rounded meal consisting of fresh foods, including protein, carbs, and healthy fats, 1-3 hours before consuming your edibles. Try to avoid overeating and consuming greasy, sugary, highly processed, or spicy foods.

Hydration also plays a crucial role, as it aids in the digestion process, where food is broken down and absorbed. Cannabinoids like CBD and THC are fat-soluble, meaning they dissolve in fats and oils. Once absorbed, cannabinoids are transferred to the bloodstream, and proper hydration ensures efficient cannabinoid distribution with proper blood flow.

Thanks to fellow canna-connoisseurs who have done the work to find foods that enhance the effects of THC. Check out our guide below

Healthy Fats & Oils	Improve THC absorption due to fat-soluble cannabinoids.
Mango	Contain myrcene, which is believed to assist in the absorption of THC by increasing the permeability of cell membranes.
Rosemary	Contains beta-caryophyllene (BCP), a terpene also found in black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. BCP is known for its interactions with the endocannabinoid system and various compounds in cannabis, commonly referred to as the entourage effect. It directly interacts with the CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, whereas most other terpenes react with the CB1 receptors.
Omega-3/	Support the endocannabinoid system.
Green Tea	Contains catechins, antioxidants that interact with the brain's cannabinoid receptors
Dark Chocolate	Slows the breakdown of anandamide, an endocannabinoid that mimics THC, prolonging the effects of THC.
Citrus Fruit Juices	Contain the terpene limonene, which is known to enhance mood and heighten the effects of THC.
Hydration	Aids in food absorption, which assists the timing of THC onset.

 

Foods to avoid
Large Heavy Meals	Cause delayed absorption times as your body is still processing your last meal
Spicy Foods	Can cause digestive irritation
Greasy Foods	Can cause digestive irritation and slow down the absorption of cannabinoids.
High Sugar Foods:	Can lead to sugar spikes and crashes, making for an unenjoyable edible experience, and may increase jitteriness and anxiety.
Alcohol	Can cause dizziness, nausea, and anxiety on its own. Adding infused hemp edibles may increase these unwanted effects.
Caffeine	Can increase anxiety and restlessness, affecting your overall experience.
Processed Foods	Often lack essential nutrients, making it harder to digest and leaving you feeling sluggish.

Mango-Avocado Salad

 

Smoothie

Blend fruits, spinach, Greek yogurt, a scoop of nut butter, and a splash of coconut water.

Grilled Chicken Salad

A mixed greens salad with grilled chicken, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of olive oil.
 
 

Whole-Grain Avocado Toast with Egg

Top whole-grain toast with mashed avocado and a boiled egg.

Banana Nut Oatmeal

A bowl of oatmeal with sliced bananas, a handful of nuts, and a splash of milk.


Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for,Sherpa's Ultimate Edible Movie Guide.

We’ve organized our favorite movies to watch while enjoying edibles by genre.

Comedies

1. Pineapple Express(2008) - A stoner comedy with plenty of laughs and action.
2. Superbad(2007) - A hilarious coming-of-age story with memorable characters.
3. 3.Step Brothers (2008) - A comedy about two immature, middle-aged men becoming stepbrothers.

Animated Films

1. 1.Yellow Submarine (1968) - A trippy Beatles animated adventure.
2. Fantastic Planet (1973) - A surreal French sci-fi animation.
3. Alice in Wonderland (1951) - Disney’s classic adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s tale with whimsical animation.

Visual Feasts

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - A visually stunning and thought-provoking sci-fi film.
2. Enter the Void (2009) - A visually intense film that explores life, death, and the afterlife.
3. Baraka (1992) - A non-narrative documentary with stunning visuals from around the world.
4. 4."Avatar" (2009) - James Cameron’s sci-fi epic featuring groundbreaking 3D visuals and an immersive alien world.

 Adventure

1. The Wizard of Oz (1939) - A classic fantasy adventure with vibrant colors and memorable characters.
2. The NeverEnding Story" (1984) - A classic fantasy adventure with imaginative creatures and a magical journey through a fantastical world..
3. The Lord of the Rings trilogy - An epic fantasy adventure with beautiful scenery and a captivating story.

 Sci-Fi/Fantasy

1. The Matrix (1999) - A groundbreaking sci-fi film that explores the nature of reality.
2. Inception (2010) - A mind-bending film about dreams within dreams.
3. Blade Runner 2049 (2017) - A visually stunning and philosophically deep sci-fi film.

 Cult Classics

1. The Big Lebowski (1998) - A quirky comedy with a cult following.
2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) - A wild ride through Las Vegas with Hunter S. Thompson.
3. Donnie Darko (2001) - A surreal film that mixes elements of sci-fi, horror, and psychological thriller.

 Musicals

1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - A cult classic musical with outrageous characters and songs.
2. Across the Universe (2007) - A musical with Beatles songs and stunning visuals.

Remember your lazy nights at home don't have to be boring. With a little though and preparation, you've tailored an exhilarating adventure right in your living room. 
We've covered it all, from what to do and not to do, how to prep and even some Sherpa Movie Favorites. From hilarious comedies to visually stunning sci-fi films, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

All photos sourced from Canva
So, cancel those plans, get comfortable, and prepare to embark on a journey of chill and thrill right from your couch. Enjoy responsibly, and here's to the ultimate night in!