A new study published in Cannabis & Cannabinoid Research suggests that combining cannabis with music may enhance relaxation, mood and emotional connection, while potentially offering complementary benefits for emotional well-being.
Researchers from Dalhousie University, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology, Université Laval and the University of British Columbia surveyed 122 cannabis users through a 176-question online survey. Participants were asked about demographics, cannabis use patterns, music listening habits, emotional responses, mood regulation and how cannabis may alter the experience of listening to music.
According to the study’s abstract, “most participants viewed the combination of cannabis and music favorably,” with many reporting enhanced relaxation, improved mood and stronger feelings of connection. Participants also reported that cannabis changed how they responded to music in different environments, including music they did not personally choose, and made them more likely to use music during routine daily activities.
The study also found that many participants reported using cannabis as a substitute for pharmaceutical treatments for conditions such as pain, anxiety and sleep disorders. In those cases, music was often described as further amplifying the perceived therapeutic effects of cannabis.
However, researchers noted that the findings were not entirely straightforward. The study found no significant differences in overall music reward experiences with or without cannabis, suggesting that the relationship between cannabis and music is “nuanced and context-dependent.”
In their conclusion, researchers said the findings offer “novel insights into the potential for cannabis and music to act as complementary tools for emotional well-being.” They said the study lays the groundwork for future research into whether music could be used as a supportive adjunct to cannabinoid-based interventions aimed at emotional and psychological health.
The authors emphasized that additional research is needed to better understand the mechanisms behind the combined effects of cannabis and music, including how different types of cannabis products, doses, music genres and individual listening habits may influence outcomes.
