New Study Confirms What We All Know – Value Buds Make Music Better

“Is this love that I’m feeling?” sang Bob Marley, and you might just agree if you’ve ever listened to music after indulging in some “value buds.” 

For decades, fans of music and cannabis products have known there’s something special about pairing the two. Whether you’re vibing out to metal rock or getting lost in the smooth beats of lo-fi, certain strains have long been a favourite companion for those who love to lose themselves in music.

Key Takeaways:

• A Toronto study confirms that value buds can deepen the melody experience by making users more absorbed in rhythms, lyrics, and sound details.
• Marijuana heightens emotional sensitivity, changes sound perception, and immerses users fully in the trip.
• Create a cozy atmosphere, start with a small dose, use headphones, and pick genres like jazz or lo-fi to upgrade your sessions.

The Connection Between Music and Value Buds

For years, cannabis consumers have reported enhanced enjoyment of melody when high. A new study by researchers at Toronto Metropolitan University confirms this anecdotal experience, where value buds significantly impact how we perceive and enjoy tunes. 

The study found that the “auditory trip may be overall enhanced” when using weed compared to being sober, so it offers a deeper understanding of this well-known phenomenon.

What are “Value Buds”?

These are weed flowers that might not look as perfect as premium strains. Think of them like misshapen fruits at a grocery store – they may have a few visual imperfections, but they’re just as good inside. 

What makes them different? The main difference lies in their appearance. These buds might be smaller or oddly shaped but still deliver the same flavour, potency, and terpene profile as their premium counterparts.

Essentially, they are a more affordable option without compromising the whole trip.

Why Value Buds Make Music Sound Better? The Science Behind It

A study recruited 104 participants through university contacts and flyers distributed at 38 marijuana retailers in Toronto. Participants completed an online questionnaire, and 15 participants underwent further in-depth interviews via Zoom.

Researchers employed both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze how marijuana affected auditory perception and song enjoyment. Surveys measured hearing sensitivity and lyric absorption, while interviews allowed participants to fully describe their experiences in detail.

Results

The study revealed several important findings about how marijuana affects melody perception:

• Increased Music Absorption: Being more absorbed in melody while stoned, paying greater attention to details such as rhythm, lyrics, and sound layers. One participant said, “When I’m high…it’s like that’s the only thing I am focused on.”
• Heightened Emotional Sensitivity: 50% of respondents said they had better hearing sensitivity, while 32% noticed no difference. Many reported enhanced emotional responses, with one noting, “I listen and dissect the lyrics more when high than I normally would.”
• Changes in Perception: Participants experienced new sound perspectives, altered rhythms, and heightened awareness of sounds. One participant described it as feeling “increased awareness and sensitivity of sounds and volumes.”
• Popular Activities: Singing was the most popular activity, with 45% of participants choosing it over videos, podcasts, or silence when stoned.

Discussion

The study identified four main themes from participants’ experiences:

1. Altered Cognitive Processes: Weed changed how people absorbed and processed melody, with one participant noting, “I’m able to connect different things that I wouldn’t normally connect [when sober].”
2. Auditory Perception: Users reported both enhanced hearing sensitivity and occasional sensory overload, depending on the environment. Weed sometimes made them more aware of individual musical elements or rhythms.
3. Emotional Sensitivity: Musical tunes evoked stronger emotional responses when participants were high, with some reporting nostalgic or even shameful memories triggered by familiar songs.
4. Embodiment and Immersion: Many users described feeling immersed in the lyrics, to the point of lying down and doing nothing else but listening for hours.

Researchers concluded that these findings align with earlier studies but noted that individual experiences vary widely. Some participants found the effects overwhelming, while others enjoyed a clearer, more focused auditory experience.

Artists’ Personal Experiences Unveiled

The connection between cannabis and musical soundtracks has long fascinated artists and listeners alike. It offers enhanced creativity, euphoria, and a deeper sense of immersion in sound. Musicians such as Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and Lindsey Buckingham have all shared profound personal experiences about how weed impacts their tune perception and creation. 

While subjective, these anecdotes suggest that the weed work alters the brain’s processing of time, memory, and sensory input.

Top Value Bud Strains for Your Next Playlist

It’s time to dive into some fan favourites. These Sativa strains can make vibe sessions feel like a concert in your living room.

Pro Tips for Enhancing Your Listening Sessions 

If you’re ready to upgrade your musical vibes, here are some practical tips for getting the most out of your experience:

1. Create the perfect playlist. Choose genres that match your mood or experiment with new ones. Lo-fi, jazz, psychedelic rock, and electronic are great choices.
2. Use headphones. Great audio equipment can make all the difference. Noise-cancelling headphones will allow you to get lost in the experience.
3. Set the scene. Create a cozy, relaxing environment. Dim the lights, light some candles, or even use LED lights that change with the beat of the song.
4. Start slow. If you’re a beginner, start with a small amount and ease into it. Different strains and potency levels can have varied effects.
5. Pair with chill activities. Journaling, painting, or simply lounging in a comfy chair can all add to the experience.

Marijuana and Value Buds – A Winning Combination

Pairing melody with the right strain can lead to a fantastic experience. You’ll find a new level of song appreciation with a good playlist, a cozy spot, and the perfect herb. Next time you want to relax, try out some affordable options from GrassLife and see how much better your tunes can sound.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do value buds and music have in common?

Both can be incredibly calming. Musical rhythms help lower stress and improve mood, similar to how certain strains can reduce anxiety and help you relax. Too much THC may cause anxiety, but tunes can help balance that. Together, they enhance relaxation and allow you to stay in the moment.

Tunes also trigger dopamine, the pleasure hormone, just like cannabis. While cannabis affects memory processing, so you can fully enjoy it without overthinking, make sure to find the right strain and genre combo that works for you.

How does the stoned brain process music?

Weed can enhance focus by helping you fully immerse in rhythm and filtering out distractions. It also relieves stress, so you can relax and enjoy the sound more deeply.

Some people even experience synaesthesia, where sounds blend with visuals, and the rhythm appears as colours or shapes. This heightened sensory experience can be more intense and enjoyable.

What kind of music goes well with being high?

Any song you love will likely sound better when you’re high. Genres like reggae, rap, jazz, classic rock, and techno are great choices. These genres have strong messages or complex sounds that weed helps you focus on.

Weed helps you focus on lyrical messages or pick up subtle musical layers. If you’re already expecting certain songs (like Bob Marley or Snoop Dogg) to match the vibe, it will probably enhance the experience. Songs created by artists who use cannabis can also resonate more deeply when you’re high.