Cannabis and music go hand in hand. There’s no debate here, but the extent is remarkable when you know the history. This synergistic relationship between plants, brain chemistry, and vibrations through the air has played a pivotal role in the history of the world.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into the history of cannabis and music, discussing how both have influenced one another. Then, we’ll provide clarity as to what is actually going on neurologically to make this phenomenon possible and how you can curate your cannabis experience to maximize auditory enjoyability.
Ancient Civilizations, Cannabis, and Music
We have pretty solid evidence that people have been using cannabis for medical, recreational, and spiritual purposes going back as far as 2800 BC. Mentions of therapeutic cannabis consumption are present in the ancient texts of Indian Hindus, Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans. Archeologists have even found evidence that the nomadic Eurasian Scythians used marijuana at their funeral rituals.
However, linking music and cannabis is a bit trickier. Perhaps the oldest documented evidence is from ancient Hindu ceremonies in India. During religious rituals, the participants would consume cannabis, complemented by music and chanting. In the Atharva Veda, one of the four ancient Hindu texts, cannabis is named one of the five sacred plants and is referred to as a “source of happiness” and “liberator.”
Check out this video of Holi Festival goers enjoying smoking cannabis from a chillum.
Eventually, cannabis spread globally from Central Asia via the Silk Road, reaching ports in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. By the 16th and 17th centuries, cannabis products, most commonly hashish, landed in the Caribbean.
The Early 20th Century
After the Haitian Revolution in the late 1700s, the American South saw a rise in free Black immigrants in cities like New Orleans. The melting of culture and music spread throughout the United States, introducing the mainstream to jazz, blues, ragtime, and recreational marijuana.
Jazz Musicians like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald weren’t shy about the creative impact cannabis had on their art. Mentions of “jazz cabbage” are in countless songs like Cab Calloway’s “Reefer Man” and Fats Waller’s “The Reefer Song.”
By the 1930s, the public’s perception of cannabis had shifted from a harmless substance to an illicit, dangerous drug. This reactionary tone would shape the next phase of the relationship between cannabis, music, and a social revolution.
The Counterculture Movement
In response to the war in Vietnam, segregation, and other injustices perpetrated by the US government, a movement was born fueled by rock music and psychoactive substances. Cannabis played a significant role in civil rights as artists like Bob Marley, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan used their music to promote liberty in the form of social justice and the freedom to consume cannabis.
The Beatle’s relationship with cannabis began as experimental. Dylan introduced them to weed in 1964. After the experience, Paul McCartney said he was “thinking for the first time, really thinking.” Then he instructed their manager to follow him around the hotel suite with a notebook, writing down everything he said.
A dramatic shift took place after The Beatles tried weed for the first time. After the experience, the band’s sound transcended from poppy hits like “Can’t Buy Me Love” to more introspective ballads like “Elanor Rigby” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
The band’s position on cannabis would later evolve to reflect the social movement birthed with their help in the 60s and 70s. In an impromptu press conference at the London Airport in 1984, McCartney said, “I support decriminalization. People are smoking pot anyway, and to make them into criminals is wrong. It’s when you’re in jail you really become a criminal.”
Contemporary Music and Cannabis
Today, cannabis continues to be a source of inspiration for musicians. In addition, music serves as a platform for artists and consumers to demonstrate support for social issues, including marijuana legalization.
Denver’s 420 music festival has been going on for nearly three decades. The celebration has featured artists/advocates such as the Original Wailers, Lil Wayne, Tommy Chong, and Snoop Dogg. Colorado was the first state in the US to legalize recreational marijuana, and the music festival was one of the central political organizing platforms for Colorado’s cannabis advocate community.
Music has also had a significant impact on the cannabis industry post-legalization. Rapper Burner is a dominant force in the game, leveraging his notoriety, expertise, and Northern California roots to found Cookies. The brand is arguably the most prominent cannabis company in the industry, with 38 franchise dispensary locations in seven states.
Our Brains on Cannabis and Music
The connection between music and weed is undeniable. But why?
The answer is explained through the chemical composition of cannabis and its neurological effect on our brains. Not only does cannabis boost creativity and allow us to “really think,” serving artists as a type of performance-enhancing drug, but there is a biological change that affects the perception of sound.
Neurological Effects
Our brains go through cognitive and perceptual changes when under the influence of cannabis. Time slows, short-term memory is reduced, and our senses are heightened. This is because THC allows dopamine to be easily released into the brain. So, while you are enjoying the bump of pleasure molecules after smoking marijuana, your brain is also ready to release more once your favorite song hits your ears.
Auditory Enhancements
THC also activates parts of the brain responsible for processing sound. Music sounds louder, and there is less distinction between instruments and vocals. This is due to the cannabis compounds attaching to the CB1 receptors in your brain, which are found in the auditory cortex. As a result, your perception alters, improving the clarity of the music.
In a 1970s study observing the effects of marijuana and music, researchers found that participants experienced an altered pulse rate, time estimation, and EEG. In addition, the participant’s perception of 15 seconds expanded to 16.7 seconds. An elongated perception of time, when high could explain why you notice different sounds, rhythms, or lyrics when under the influence of cannabis.
The ECS
Our elevated state of sensory isn’t just due to the chemical reaction of THC. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) works collectively to enhance our senses. When you consume a comprehensive array of cannabis compounds, you put your ECS in the best position possible to enjoy the auditory effects of cannabis.
Elevate Your Experience
Consuming cannabis and listening to music is a time-tested combination dating back thousands of years. While there is much to learn about this relationship, we know more about how cannabis affects our brains than ever.
By consuming multiple cannabis compounds together and engaging the coveted “entourage effect,” you optimize your brain for maximum audio pleasure. With Bud Love, you can add CBG, terpenes, and marshmallow leaf to your cannabis, improving your auditory system and beginning to experience music from an elevated perspective.
––This article comes to you from the Bud Love team.
