There must be science behind why that feels so good. Music and chillin' have been two peas in a pod since Day 1 when someone first hooked up a guitar. Whether it was jazz clubs in the 1930s or rock festivals in the 70s, musicians have been combining tunes and chill vibes for almost 100 years.
This article explores correlations between music and relaxation, the science behind it, and how today's hemp products are transforming music consumption.
Let's get into it...
What's coming up:
- The Long History Of Music And Mellow Moments
- Why Music Sounds Better When You're Relaxed
- The Modern Pairing -- Hemp Gummies And Your Playlist
- Tips For Building The Perfect Listening Session
- Genres That Just Hit Different
Cab Calloway performed "Reefer Man" in a 1933 movie comedy. Jazz and swing musicians proudly sang about cannabis in their songs. Music magazines went into overdrive panic trying to expose musicians. An article by Radio Stars published in 1938 failed miserably. Too late! The genie was already out of the bottle.
Then rock happened. Then funk. Reggae. Hip-hop. Dream-pop. Every generation could tell their variation on the same tale:
- Artists creating from a relaxed, open state
- Listeners enjoying that music in the same headspace
- A shared mellow moment between the two
You'll find it in nearly every genre imaginable. And today, thanks to powerful hemp gummies like these gummies, everyone can discover what listeners have been saying for decades.
Why Music Sounds Better When You're Relaxed
Here's where it gets interesting.
Scientists at Toronto Metropolitan University have validated what cannabis consumers have been saying for decades -- music does actually sound better high. In the study, which included 104 participants, researchers determined there were certain changes to sound perception.
Results? Half said they could hear better. 60 percent reported they noticed an effect on their hearing overall. That wasn't placebo, that was an actual perceived change.
Here's why this matters for the average listener:
- Lyrics hit harder. People notice meaning they've missed for years.
- Details stand out. Bass lines, harmonies, little background sounds.
- Memory wakes up. Old songs trigger old feelings.
- Focus deepens. The music becomes the moment.
One quote from a study participant really resonated with researchers. The person described music they knew well suddenly sounding new -- as if there were hidden messages in lyrics they had sung along to years before but never listened to.
The Modern Pairing -- Hemp Gummies And Your PlaylistSo how does this translate to today?
Consumers today have it much better than musicians did in the 1960s. Pop open a bag of hemp gummies, play a record, chill out. Have a great smoke-free night with no odor and no hassle.
And the data backs up just how popular this pairing has become.
An illuminating stat came from a survey conducted by Numerator in 2024. Out of almost 6,000 cannabis consumers, 43% of THC consumers reported listening to music while consuming cannabis. Only 19% of CBD-only consumers reported doing so. Listening to music placed within the top ranks of activities alongside chilling out and watching films.
That's a huge slice of people pairing sound with calm.
However there's another way to look at this data as well. Music was what people listened to most when high in the Toronto study. It was chosen by 45% of respondents, more than videos, podcasts and silence.
Why does this matter?
Because simplicity is the message it sends us -- when humans decelerate, they gravitate towards audio. And when they gravitate towards audio, they do so thoughtfully. They're not putting on elevator music. They're settling in for quality time.
Tips For Building The Perfect Listening SessionWant to actually do this right? Here's how to approach it.
Begin with the correct product. Consistency will always trump quantity. Find reputable brands that display lab testing and transparent dosing. Remember less is more when it comes to music sessions -- enhance, don't overwhelm.
Choose your location. Find a space conducive to listening. Comfortable seating, ample lighting (or no lighting), and as few distractions as possible. Put your phone away.
Pick your speakers wisely. Even basic ear buds are okay. If you own some halfway decent headphones or an actual speaker system, this is where they prove their value. All those subtle nuances people claim to hear? You can't hear them until you have a sound that respects the music.
Prepare your playlist before class. Are you skipping through songs during class? Prepare about a 45-60 minute playlist before class and hit play. It helps with transitions.
Make space for listening. Literally. It's easy to say, but make sure to actually do it. Don't do two things at once. Don't scroll. That's the whole point... Slow down and listen.
That last one is the most difficult. Listening to music without distractions has become so foreign. Sitting there. Silent. Listening. It feels strange until you do it.
Genres That Just Hit DifferentSome music was practically built for mellow moments.
That doesn't mean songs in other genres won't work -- researchers in Toronto discovered there was no difference in what people listened to when high or stone-cold sober. People listen to what they like.
But certain genres have a kind of natural pairing energy:
- Classic rock -- Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Doors
- Jazz -- especially the slower, smokier stuff from the 50s and 60s
- Reggae -- the original mellow-pairing soundtrack
- Lo-fi and ambient -- modern bedroom-listening favourites
- Soul and funk -- the groove just hits right
Pick something you haven't listened to before. You may discover your new favorite genre. Or learn something new on an album you thought you knew inside out.
That's part of the fun -- a fresh pair of ears for old music.
Final ThoughtsMusic and chill vibes have been going hand in hand since before any of us were born. Jazz cats in the 1930s, rock stars in the 1970s, and listeners today have all agreed on one simple fact -- music and relaxation belong together.
The science is backing it up:
- 50% of listeners report sharper hearing sensitivity
- 45% pick music as their top mellow activity
- 43% of THC users specifically pair it with their playlist
The only thing that has changed is the accessibility of the pairing. It requires no extravagances. Simply a quality product, a quality playlist and a couple hours for the world to wait.
Slow down. Press play. Let the music do its thing.