Exploring the interaction between cannabis and music

Lena Darakjian; Harley Glassman; Chi Yhun Lo; Frank A. Russo

doi:10.1111/nyas.70010

Exploring the interaction between cannabis and music

Lena Darakjian, Harley Glassman, Chi Yhun Lo, Frank A. Russo^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cannabis use has long been associated with enhanced music experiences, yet scientific research on its effects on auditory perception remains limited. This convergent mixed-methods self-report study investigated how recreational cannabis users experience auditory stimulation and music in particular. A total of 104 participants completed an online questionnaire, 15 of which were selected to participate in an optional semi-structured interview. Quantitative analyses showed that listening to music was the most commonly reported activity while high, indicated by 45% of participants. Participants reported significantly greater hearing sensitivity (p < 0.001) and state absorption in music (p < 0.001) while high compared to sober. Higher trait absorption in music was associated with greater state absorption in music while high. Qualitative thematic analysis identified four main themes: (1) altered cognitive processes and reinterpretations, (2) auditory perceptual effects from new sensations to sensory overload, (3) emotional openness, sensitivity, and regulation, and (4) embodiment, immersion, and out-of-body dissociation. This study provides a novel theoretical framework to understand the complex interactions between cannabis and musical experience.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	140-158
Number of pages	19
Journal	Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume	1551
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.70010
Publication status	Published - Sept 2025
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2025. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

absorption
cannabis
hearing
music
reward

Access to Document

10.1111/nyas.70010Licence: CC BY-NC

Publisher version (open access)Final published version, 510 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

Cite this

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title = "Exploring the interaction between cannabis and music",

abstract = "Cannabis use has long been associated with enhanced music experiences, yet scientific research on its effects on auditory perception remains limited. This convergent mixed-methods self-report study investigated how recreational cannabis users experience auditory stimulation and music in particular. A total of 104 participants completed an online questionnaire, 15 of which were selected to participate in an optional semi-structured interview. Quantitative analyses showed that listening to music was the most commonly reported activity while high, indicated by 45\% of participants. Participants reported significantly greater hearing sensitivity (p < 0.001) and state absorption in music (p < 0.001) while high compared to sober. Higher trait absorption in music was associated with greater state absorption in music while high. Qualitative thematic analysis identified four main themes: (1) altered cognitive processes and reinterpretations, (2) auditory perceptual effects from new sensations to sensory overload, (3) emotional openness, sensitivity, and regulation, and (4) embodiment, immersion, and out-of-body dissociation. This study provides a novel theoretical framework to understand the complex interactions between cannabis and musical experience.",

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author = "Lena Darakjian and Harley Glassman and Lo, \{Chi Yhun\} and Russo, \{Frank A.\}",

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year = "2025",

month = sep,

doi = "10.1111/nyas.70010",

language = "English",

volume = "1551",

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AU - Darakjian, Lena

AU - Glassman, Harley

AU - Lo, Chi Yhun

AU - Russo, Frank A.

N1 - Copyright the Author(s) 2025. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

PY - 2025/9

Y1 - 2025/9

N2 - Cannabis use has long been associated with enhanced music experiences, yet scientific research on its effects on auditory perception remains limited. This convergent mixed-methods self-report study investigated how recreational cannabis users experience auditory stimulation and music in particular. A total of 104 participants completed an online questionnaire, 15 of which were selected to participate in an optional semi-structured interview. Quantitative analyses showed that listening to music was the most commonly reported activity while high, indicated by 45% of participants. Participants reported significantly greater hearing sensitivity (p < 0.001) and state absorption in music (p < 0.001) while high compared to sober. Higher trait absorption in music was associated with greater state absorption in music while high. Qualitative thematic analysis identified four main themes: (1) altered cognitive processes and reinterpretations, (2) auditory perceptual effects from new sensations to sensory overload, (3) emotional openness, sensitivity, and regulation, and (4) embodiment, immersion, and out-of-body dissociation. This study provides a novel theoretical framework to understand the complex interactions between cannabis and musical experience.

AB - Cannabis use has long been associated with enhanced music experiences, yet scientific research on its effects on auditory perception remains limited. This convergent mixed-methods self-report study investigated how recreational cannabis users experience auditory stimulation and music in particular. A total of 104 participants completed an online questionnaire, 15 of which were selected to participate in an optional semi-structured interview. Quantitative analyses showed that listening to music was the most commonly reported activity while high, indicated by 45% of participants. Participants reported significantly greater hearing sensitivity (p < 0.001) and state absorption in music (p < 0.001) while high compared to sober. Higher trait absorption in music was associated with greater state absorption in music while high. Qualitative thematic analysis identified four main themes: (1) altered cognitive processes and reinterpretations, (2) auditory perceptual effects from new sensations to sensory overload, (3) emotional openness, sensitivity, and regulation, and (4) embodiment, immersion, and out-of-body dissociation. This study provides a novel theoretical framework to understand the complex interactions between cannabis and musical experience.

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KW - hearing

KW - music

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SN - 0077-8923

VL - 1551

SP - 140

EP - 158

JO - Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

JF - Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

IS - 1

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Exploring the interaction between cannabis and music

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Keywords

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Exploring the interaction between cannabis, hearing, and music

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