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Study Reveals Cannabis Intensifies Musical Enjoyment

New research conducted at Toronto Metropolitan University has presented scientific evidence supporting a popular belief among marijuana users, that cannabis increases the pleasure derived from listening to music. The findings of the study suggest that “using cannabis has a generally heightened effect on auditory experience” as compared to listening to music while not under its influence.

The Canadian researchers emphasise that the findings from the study “underscore the substantial yet individualistic impacts of cannabis on sound experiences among experienced casual cannabis consumers.” The study involved a survey of 104 participants who were recruited from the university as well as local cannabis outlets, and deeper interviews were conducted with a subset of 15 participants.

The study revealed that the participants, when under the influence of marijuana, “demonstrated significantly greater music absorption levels…compared to when not under its influence.” Moreover, half of the participants reported an enhanced sensitivity to sound following consumption of cannabis, and 60% indicated that cannabis influence started affecting their hearing.

Cannabis’ Effect on Music Perception

The most common activity among the participants under the influence of cannabis turned out to be listening to music, accounting for 45% of responses. The type of music listened to was not influenced by whether the participants were under the influence or not. The study captures these findings in a comprehensive 36-page document, which includes illustrative data and direct quotations from those interviewed.

Many participants reported a sharp increase in sensitivity to music and lyrics when under the influence of cannabis. They also became more emotionally invested in the music and adopted a more critical approach compared to when sober. They frequently reported experiencing alterations in their perception of audiovisual stimuli, rhythm, and timing, and a greater consciousness of sounds and volumes.

According to the participants, they felt more entrenched in the music when intoxicated by marijuana, and were more inclined to listen to music solo, contrary to their typical sober routine. One participant put it aptly by saying, “When I’m sober, I don’t just sit and listen to music doing nothing else. However, when high, I can completely plunge into music-listening for quite some time.”

Though the results of the study indicate a richer and more immersive music-listening experience when high, the researchers caution that reactions to cannabis usage can differ from one individual to another. While some individuals might experience sensory saturation, others may find enhanced clarity when high.

These findings resonate with earlier studies conducted back in the 1970s. The researchers stress that this research represents “the first mixed-methods retrospective review of cannabis’s effect on auditory perception and music,” and that its outcomes “underscore the many remarkable effects that cannabis has on the auditory experiences of those who use cannabis recreationally.”.