Exploring the interaction between cannabis and music.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences September 1, 2025 Lena Darakjian, Harley Glassman, Chi Yhun Lo et al.
Listening to music is the most common activity among recreational cannabis users while high, reported by 45% of participants. Users report greater hearing sensitivity and a deeper state of absorption in music when under the influence of cannabis compared to being sober. Individuals with a higher natural tendency to become absorbed in music experience even greater absorption while high. Qualitative analysis reveals four main themes: altered cognitive processes and reinterpretations, auditory perceptual effects ranging from new sensations to sensory overload, emotional openness and regulation, and embodied immersion with out-of-body dissociation. The findings offer a theoretical framework for understanding how cannabis interacts with musical experience.