Why Does Music Sound Better When You’re High?

You’ve likely heard the age-old claim that music just hits differently when you’re high. You might even have been there, a favorite track of yours coming along and something that seems to make the music, the beats feel deeper, or the lyrics of a song hitting you with an almost uncanny intensity. 

But why does cannabis seem to enhance the magic of music? Is it science, art, or just good vibes? Let’s turn up the volume and break it down for you.

The Science of Sound and Cannabis

The reason music sounds better when you are high is based on biology. The endocannabinoid system in your brain is responsible for influencing your mood and perception of sensory information.

The psychoactive compound in cannabis, THC, acts on receptors that increase dopamine release, effectively turning up the brain’s ‘reward’ dial. This means that when you are listening to music while under the influence of cannabis, the dopamine surge enhances your emotional response, making melodies more touching and rhythms more exciting. 

This means that cannabis also changes how your brain perceives time, usually by slowing it down, which can cause extended songs to seem longer and more extensive. We don’t say cannabis just alters how you hear music. It also alters how you feel it.

The Creative Connection

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It’s no secret that cannabis has been a muse for many legendary musicians. Many artists have long credited cannabis as helping them tap into their creative flow, from reggae great Bob Marley to jazz greats like Louis Armstrong. Even modern genres like hip-hop and electronic music often celebrate the connection between weed and artistry.

When cannabis encourages lateral thinking – that ‘aha!’ moment when apparently unconnected ideas combine – it can be helpful for musicians when, say, they come up with an unexpected chord progression or write lyrics that feel profound. When listeners are able to appreciate those creative nuances on a whole new level, it means something.

The Right Strain Matters

Not all cannabis strains will enhance your musical journey in the same way that they do. Some are energizing and uplifting (perfect for dance tracks), while others are calming and introspective (ideal for moody ballads). Here are a few examples:

Sativa Strains: Because of their cerebral effects, sativas go well with upbeat genres like EDM, funk or pop.

Indica Strains: These are more sedative and introspective, suitable for jazz, classical, or lo-fi beats.

Hybrid Strains: A balanced hybrid can go well with a vast number of genres of music, depending on your mood.

Music as a Shared Experience

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One of the most beautiful aspects of combining cannabis and music is how it brings people together. Whether it’s a group of friends passing a joint at a concert or that solo headphone session where you feel deeply connected to an artist’s work, cannabis enhances connection and brings people together.

Simply put, Bob Marley once said, “Herb opens your mind. It’s a natural thing that gives you creativity and makes you realize the spiritual side of yourself.” When paired with music, that “spiritual side” becomes a communal experience—one in which the artist, the listener, and the vibe all align.

You might have heard that some skeptics say that the enhanced musical experience is purely psychological—a placebo effect, really—thanks to cannabis’s mind-altering properties. But does it really matter? If cannabis makes a good song great and a great song transcendent, then it’s doing its job.

In the end, music and cannabis have a unique synergy to them. Both are tools for exploring emotion, creativity, and connection. An experience that’s greater than the sum of its parts is created when they are used together.

Why does music sound better when you’re high? It’s science, history, and a little bit of magic. Cannabis raises how we process sound, how we feel emotion, and how we connect with art, making every song an adventure.