“I began to notice my muscles unwind and the tension from around my eyes loosen.”

My friend was on driving duty for the day, so I kicked back and popped one of Recreate’s Relax Chocolates into my mouth just as we left the outskirts of Los Angeles. I was not in the mood to be stoned to the bone just in case I had to take over the wheel, but I knew I needed some herbal enhancement if I was going to arrive in Death Valley in good spirits. I felt confident that this chai-flavored, CBD-rich formula with both THC and ashwagandha would help center my mind without a heavy psychoactive head high.

Feeling assured in my decision, I gingerly placed one of the geometric chocolate bites onto my tongue. Almost immediately, the chocolate began to melt in my mouth, revealing a creamy and smooth texture. The milk chocolate is the first flavor to hit your palate, then a slight tropical taste from the coconut, and then wham, the chai spice makes itself known—and it is certainly not shy.

As the chocolate glides over your tongue, flavors of cardamom, clove, and black pepper dance across your taste buds for a flavor that’s straight from your morning mug of tea. I’m a huge chai fanatic, and this chocolate hits all the spicy spots you expect from an authentic chai tea blend. Then, the notes of baking spice linger for a few minutes, warming up your palate and your mind for the experience that’s soon to come.

We continued to drive past sleepy roadside towns for what seemed like hours, but in reality, was only a few minutes. As time stretched on, we drove further and further into desolation, and I began to notice my muscles unwind and the tension from around my eyes loosen until I was completely sunken into the passenger seat. My mind released the anxiety of the drive, and I was finally able to sit back and just enjoy the sights.

We were starting to see some mountains on the horizon, and strange, plateau-like geological formations surrounded us on each side. I felt cool as a cucumber as we oooo-ed and ahhhh-ed at this new scenery, and I even felt a warm sense of gratitude welling up within me. I felt grateful to be able to take a much needed breather from the chaos of Los Angeles, and indulge in the nearby National Park without a care in the world, if only for the duration of the cannabis-infused chocolate.

“I felt as though my movie-like fantasy of a road trip was unfolding right before my eyes.”

As the sun began to go down and the mountains on the horizon gave off a dusky glow, I felt as though my movie-like fantasy of a road trip was unfolding right before my eyes. Our top wasn’t down, and my hair was firmly in my ponytail, but I did feel carefree, serene, and centered as we pulled up to our Airbnb.

I joyfully hopped out of the car and offered to take all the luggage inside as my muscles began to perk up from the excitement. After I slammed the trunk shut, I took a deep breath and watched the sun dip below the horizon. It was the picture-perfect movie ending I’d always hoped for, but had never achieved until that moment.

After all these years, I think I finally found the Hollywood secret to a perfect road-trip: ReCreate’s Relax Chocolates. The effects are ultra-calming, and the deliciously spicy chocolates truly offer well-rounded relief that’s fit for a drive, dinner with the in-laws or whatever stressful situation you might find yourself in.

It’s not movie magic, it’s just pure relaxation at its finest.