An Ethno‐Methodological Approach to Cannabis and Music Perception, with EEG Brain Mapping in a Naturalistic Setting

Cannabis changes auditory perception and music appreciation, as many musicians and listeners report. In an ethnographic pre/post study with four participants in a naturalistic setting, mobile EEG imaging measured spontaneous brain activity. Increased alpha-signal strength in the parietal association cortex and significant theta band changes in temporal areas, along with alpha changes in occipital areas, appeared to be a consistent brain correlate of temporarily intensified attention (a "high"). This altered music perception by hyperfocusing on acoustic space and broadening insight into the "space between the notes." THC measurably influences cerebral music processing and seems to temporarily enhance acoustic perception.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Cannabis is known to change auditory perception and music appreciation as many musicians and music listeners report in narratives, interviews and biographies. An ethnographic pre/post study was conducted in a habituated naturalistic setting, combining qualitative and quantitative methods with four single case studies. Physiological results were gained with a mobile bedside EEG imaging machine in an authentic setting of the consumer's life‐world. Results represent explorative data of participants' spontaneous EEG‐activity, referable to results of psychological and medical studies.Increasing Alpha‐signal strength in parietal association cortex and significant Theta band changes in temporal and on Alpha in occipital areas seem to represent an intraindividual constant EEG correlate of temporarily intensified attention ("high"), resulting in an altered music perception by hyperfocusing on acoustic space and broadened insight into the "space between the notes." THC has a measurable influence on cerebral music processing and seems to enhance acoustic perception temporarily.