Music and weed

If you are a regular cannabis consumer, you surely know that music and weed are the perfect combination for unwinding from everything. When we listen to music after consuming marijuana, our brain processes it differently than when we haven’t. The body and mind relax, allowing the music to flow freely through our body, making us notice a deeper experience.

By entering a state of relaxation and being able to disconnect a little from everything around us, we feel the music much more deeply, noticing how the melody invades us.

Artists and marijuana

In the 20th century, many world-famous artists began to publicly declare themselves marijuana users, stating that cannabis helped them compose. There were also those who became representatives of cannabis culture, using this plant as a symbol of peace, freedom, or social protest.

Nowadays, many more artists publicly acknowledge that they consume cannabis, and some even make their lives revolve around this plant, although it is true that they use it more for promotion than to send messages of peace or love.

More and more artists appear consuming cannabis in their music videos, showing spectacular crops or with a joint in their hands. Especially artists related to the world of Hip-hop, reggae, and other urban genres, particularly in the USA.

Some musicians claim that consuming cannabis during the creative process helps them explore new ideas or establish a different connection with their compositions and even with their fans.

Impact of cannabis on music

Cannabis has the ability to increase the connections between concepts and ideas that are otherwise unrelated, so in moments when creativity is lacking, it can play an important role. If the song is composed under the effects of cannabis, we will surely notice it, because if we are in the same state as the composer was when writing it, our brain will be able to assimilate all the small nuances much better.

It is often said that cannabis helps notes sound clearer and sharper, making rhythm and intensity changes more distinct. Tones that previously went unnoticed are heard much more clearly with cannabis, taking on much more importance in the song.

This means that there is an endless number of songs composed under the effects of marijuana, but only fans who consume it will be able to enjoy them completely.

Music greatly affects our mood, so if we are angry, we will want to listen to harder music than when we are in a more cheerful state. Cannabis encourages us to listen to more relaxed and calm music that transmits peace and good vibes.

When we listen to music after consuming cannabis, our brain shows changes in the right parieto-occipital area and in the occipito-temporal area. Alpha waves are a constant in the capacity for musical perception, making it easier for the listener to flow between the notes.

It can be analyzed through studies, but none will be as convincing as experiencing it firsthand. For many people, the act of smoking a bong or a joint while listening to their favorite artist is a true ritual.

Scientists around the world state that this field should be researched much more, as the relationship between the cannabinoid system and auditory capacity seems clear. If this area were studied much more and we had more information on the subject, we would surely have many more treatments for certain types of diseases.

Songs related to cannabis

The relationship between music and weed can also be observed in numerous songs. Artists from genres as different as jazz, reggae, or heavy metal have used cannabis as inspiration, a cultural symbol, or a protest element.

Muggles – Louis Armstrong

In 1928, Louis Armstrong recorded Muggles, an instrumental composition whose title referred to a word used at the time to talk about marijuana. It is considered one of the first known jazz songs openly linked to cannabis.

Sweet Leaf – Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath released Sweet Leaf in 1971 on the album Master of Reality. The song is a direct declaration of appreciation for cannabis and begins with the well-known cough of guitarist Tony Iommi, recorded after inhaling smoke from a joint.

Kaya – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Kaya is one of the best-known songs by Bob Marley & The Wailers related to cannabis. The term kaya is used in Jamaica to refer to marijuana. The song originally appeared in 1971 and later gave its name to the album Kaya, released in 1978.

Legalize It – Peter Tosh

In 1976, Peter Tosh turned Legalize It into a direct demand for the legalization of cannabis. The song gave its name to his first solo album and ended up becoming one of the most recognized cannabis anthems in reggae.