The science behind why music sounds so much better when you’re high

Quality weed and a great record could be considered the perfect pairing by many cannabis and music lovers. Finally, marijuana has a long history and a close relationship with music.

From heady plumes of smoke billowing from crowds at music festivals this summer to the lyrics of many classic songs, marijuana is present. And while that close relationship is undeniable, one often wonders why music sounds so much better when you’re high.

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As we did before reported, scientists have long been interested in how marijuana affects the way we perceive sound. Unfortunately, studies on marijuana and music and how they affect sound perception in general remain scarce due to marijuana’s illegal status. Still, there is some information and insight to draw from to understand why marijuana makes a song sound so much better with it than without.

one to learn from 1970 demonstrated marijuana’s ability to perceptually bridge time: “Smoking marijuana altered pulse rate, time estimate, and EEG.” In fact, according to the study, perception of 15 seconds of time was “expanded” to 16.7 seconds. . This could possibly explain why those under the influence of marijuana have the ability to notice the smallest details and pay special attention to a piece of music. After all, they have more time for it – at least in theory.

In fact, marijuana affects our mind in all sorts of ways, many of which seem to positively affect how we perceive things, including music. “Marijuana also accesses a specialized neurotransmitter system called the endocannabinoid system, which regulates appetite, pain, mood and memory. The way the plant activates this system explains many of the unique effects it has on listening to music M.I.C. Some of these influences, like changes in the endocannabinoid system, may not be noticeable at this point, but can alter the way we feel when we perceive sounds.

However, some of the mind-altering properties of marijuana can be consciously experienced when listening to music. The altered cognition state you experience when high from marijuana can alter the way you perceive your senses, including the way you hear your favorite songs. In particular, people often report “senses heightened” while high. This is because THC interacts with receptors in your brain that are responsible for many of these senses. As marijuana doctors said“Areas of the brain related to your senses, like the olfactory bulb that manages your sense of smell, bind to THC receptors and create heightened awareness of your surroundings.”

Cannabis and music also have a powerful impact on your dopamine levels, leading to emotion and satisfaction in humans. Cannabis with high levels of CBD and THC is reported to have an increased release of dopamine. These stresses, coupled with the enjoyment of music, can result in an enhanced experience.

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Corresponding CBC News“Because music and cannabis simultaneously trigger the mesolimbic dopamine system, the brain chemically amplifies—and couples—two extremely pleasurable behaviors over time.” This simultaneously heightened experience could explain why some of your favorite songs become extra, almost can feel euphoric.

There is still much to learn and understand about marijuana and how it affects the way we hear and perceive music and sounds in general. Still, the proof is perhaps secondary to how it feels to listen to a record with some weed after a long day.