When exactly should I pop my edible?

Edibles are becoming increasingly popular and finding their way into all kinds of activities. From exercise, travel, sleep, and everything in between, someone pops an edible and see if it enhances the experience. Edibles actually enhance all kinds of activities (when practiced safely, of course). But they also take their time to work their magic.

When it comes to edibles, it’s all about timing. Too early and you’re high before you want to be. Too late and you’re staring at your watch wishing you’d eaten your jelly bean sooner and wondering how long it will be before you feel the effects. While there’s no definitive answer, here are some helpful tricks to improve your edibles experience.

When you have a long journey ahead of you

Best Time: During pre-boarding announcements

Edibles become the companion of the avid traveler. For those who frequently take long flights (five hours or more) or frequently commute on long buses and trains, edibles can really take advantage. Even if you can’t sleep, the anxiety and restlessness will decrease. Suddenly the view from the window is interesting and you’ve reached your destination. But timing your edibles for a long journey is crucial.

Photo by Flickr user Jaysin Trevino

RELATED: What Happens When You Try to Sneak Edibles on a Plane?

If you have a coast-to-coast flight or something similar, around 6 hours, then a standard edible dose (between 5 and 10 mg – depending on your tolerance) is perfect.

Since an edible should last almost the entire flight, you should want it to take effect as soon as you take off. To have that timing, you’d have to pop your edible before preparing to board your train, bus, or plane. Of course, this would involve getting it through TSA if you fly. As we reported The TSA may not search for your edibles beforehand, but they have an obligation to report them if they find them — so be warned.

Before the concert

Best Time: After the opening act plays their first song

As we did before reported, marijuana and music make a wonderful pairing. But you want to make sure your edible is at its peak when your favorite songs are playing, not when the opening act takes the stage. Although concert security cares less about edibles than guns and hard drugs, you might not want to risk having your edibles confiscated.

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RELATED: How Many Edibles Should You Eat? Your guide to edible dosing

Try to get a detailed schedule, or call the venue to find out when the headliner is scheduled to perform. Corresponding Musical getaway, most opening acts play about 30 minutes and sometimes much longer. Imagine about a 30-minute break between the opening act and the headliner, and you’re looking at just over an hour after hearing the opening act’s first song before hearing the main event. For this reason, try to wait until the opening act has played at least one song before popping your edible. If edibles take a while to kick in, smash them before you go through security.

Before going to bed

Best Time: Before starting your nightly routine

More and more people are turning to cannabis in the form of CBD and THC to help with sleep issues. Edibles are definitely the way to go as they are long lasting and come on gradually. Also, no one wants to smell weed and smoke right after they’ve finished a late-night routine and brushed their teeth.

Photo by Lux Graves via Unsplash

Instead, consider popping your edible before starting your evening routine. That way, once you’re fully shut down, your edible will slowly begin to unfold its effects. However, remember that what you ate for dinner can affect the effects of your edible Shape.com, “If you eat a high-carb, low-fat meal, expect the edible to take longer to absorb and have a shorter effect. With a meal high in fat and oil, the edible is more likely to kick in sooner and you’ll have a longer lasting effect in the body.” So make sure you factor your dinner and dessert into your timing.

A day in nature

Best Time: After laying out a picnic blanket and applying sunscreen

Marijuana is a great way to help you reconnect with nature, and edibles are a great way to unleash that magic. The slow start and long-lasting experience can make a day at the park a truly mood-changing activity. Edibles are ideal not only because they take longer to kick in and last longer, but also because smoking may not be an option.

Many parks are non-smoking (this usually includes tobacco and cannabis). According to the American Non-Smokers Rights Foundation literature, there are nearly 2,000 parks (and all national parks) that ban smoking. So edibles are definitely the safe bet. But when is the best time?

Photo by Jennie Clavel via Unsplash

When it comes to marijuana and a day outdoors, it’s important to have everything you need for the day before you get stoned. That means making sure you’ve got water, food, sunscreen on, and everything else you need to enjoy your day before you jettison all precautions. So it’s safe to say that once you’ve unpacked your materials and confirmed you have the essentials, you can officially pop your edible and slather on some sunscreen.