Cannabis and music go together like cannabis and food. Or cannabis and pretty much anything, really. It’s a fact that music hits different after a puff, and there are studies to back it up. But choosing a list of ten bands to listen to when stoned is like selecting the ten greatest strains. There are so many to choose from that narrowing it down to ten seems almost impossible!
Besides, how do you shape such a list? Everyone’s taste is slightly different, and even the most eclectic and open-minded music fans have different go-tos for different occasions. You can have an indica list with some of the best chillout music from ambient to classical (if you’ve never listened to classical music when high, you’re missing out), or you can have a sativa list with upbeat, feel-good energetic tunes. It’s entirely subjective.
There are the classic stoner bands everyone knows about, like The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Grateful Dead and even certain eras of The Beatles – all are popular with the stoner set. There’s metal, there’s hip-hop, there’s dance...it’s starting to seem like an arduous task narrowing this down to ten artists. No matter how you shape it, someone will take umbrage; “How could you leave THEM off this list?”
Better sharpen the ol’ pencil before this blog turns into a book.
Why Music Hits Different After Cannabis
Ever wondered why your favourite track seems even more mind-blowing when you're stoned? It's not just your imagination; there's science backing it up. Cannabis consumption and music appreciation share a potent neurological relationship. The psychoactive compound in cannabis, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can increase your brain's ability to detect music's nuances and patterns, giving you a heightened appreciation of its depth and complexities.
If you’ve ever smoked and listened to music, you know exactly what this refers to. And if you don’t? Take a few puffs, grab your headphones, and listen to some tunes. The whole experience takes on a new dimension. Chances are, no matter how many times you've heard that song, you'll notice something new, something different, and feel an almost other-worldly vibe.
The Scientific Intersection Of Cannabis And Music
In human culture, both music and cannabis have a long history, with early references to their use dating back thousands of years [1]. In modern society, the partnership of cannabis and music is predominantly associated with counterculture movements, like the hippies of the '60s and reggae artists of the '70s [2].
The marriage between cannabis and music starts at the molecular level. Cannabis contains numerous active compounds, known as cannabinoids, the most notable of which are THC and CBD [3]. These interact with the endocannabinoid system in our bodies, altering various physiological and psychological processes [4]. One of the key areas affected is the brain's auditory and sensory processing regions. Research suggests that THC can enhance auditory perception, making music seem more profound [5], and it does this by modulating the dopamine levels associated with pleasure and reward [6]. So when you're listening to your favourite track while under the influence of cannabis, the heightened sensory perception combined with an increase in dopamine could make the experience seem more enjoyable.
10 Great Bands – The List
Compiling a list like this is tough. We all like something different musically, and many bands stoners listen to wouldn’t necessarily be described as stoner music.
Take Iron Maiden, for instance. Loads of Maiden fans are massive potheads, despite the band having never written any songs about cannabis or featuring it in imaging or artwork. Couple that with frontman Bruce Dickinson’s famous tirade during a gig, railing against the amount of smoking in the crowd before pointing out to joint-puffing fans that the band’s legendary bassist and founding member, Steve Harris, “absolutely f**king hates marijuana and hates the smell of it, alright? So when he's trying to play bass, it f**ks him up. It f**ks me up. I'm a singer, alright? So duh.” Harsh.
We’ll caveat the list by re-emphasising that these are great bands to listen to when stoned rather than stoner bands. These artists are just what the doctor ordered after a heavy session.
Massive Attack
Massive Attack is best known for the 90s anthem Unfinished Sympathy, and rightly so – it’s an epic track that still gives people the shivers to this day. But the Bristol-based trio have a lot more to offer. Take the utterly sublime Teardrop, for instance. That gentle guitar part and pulsing drum loop and Elizabeth Fraser’s haunting-yet-soothing vocals wrap themselves around you like a mother’s embrace. A darkened room, a nice indica and some Massive Attack make for a genuinely soul-nourishing experience.
Massive Attack specialises in writing incredible comedown music. Whether it’s the early 90s stuff like the Blue Lines album and Protection or later highlights including Mezzanine and Heligoland, the Massive Attack back catalogue is packed with absolutely killer vibes.
Devin Townsend
With a lengthy arsenal of incredible music, Canadian genius Devin Townsend could easily appear on both Indica and Sativa playlists. Existing just outside of the mainstream, Townsend has been active since 1993, when he contributed vocals to guitar maestro Steve Vai’s Sex and Religion album at the tender age of 18. Since then, Townsend has gone on to carve out a solo career with his own material, which could be best described as ‘future metal’.
Arguably well ahead of his time and a genre by himself, Townsend is a true composer who goes beyond the relatively basic band format of guitars/bass/drums/vocals, weaving in layers of synth parts and cutting-edge production wizardry to create a unique wall of sound which is at times abstract, but always unique and spellbindingly sophisticated.
Townsend’s Ki is a chill-out album par excellence, taking you and your ears on an incredible journey. It’s a rare departure from his typically heavier material and just the tonic to open your mind and relax your body after a hard night on the bud. The man they call Heavy Devy gets bonus points for being Dr Gary Yates’s favourite artist. Seedsman CSO Dr Gary, masquerades as the musical entity The Godstar Paradox,. His latest album, The Calm Jalm, is perfect for stoned listeners and all the tracks are named after cannabis strains! Check it out here
Shpongle
You may never have heard of Shpongle before, but you might have used it as an adjective to describe how you feel after a good smoke. Formed in 1996, this English group are considered among the originators of the Psybient movement – that’s psychedelic and ambient rolled into one, thank you. While countless more widely-known electronic music acts are vying for a place on this list, Shpongle makes music for this purpose. Take their debut album, for example – it’s titled Are You Shpongled? And the word ‘Shpongled’? According to the duo’s concept guru/flautist, Raja Ram (imagine handing over that business card), Shpongled is “an umbrella term for feeling positive and euphoric emotions”.
Shpongle’s music is a synth-heavy trip, full of sonic textures that approximate psychedelic states. Add to that numerous vocal samples relating to mind expansion and hallucination, and you have perhaps one of the ultimate trip bands. Worth a listen if you’re a fan of electronic soundscapes.
Cypress Hill
Choosing a Hip-Hop act to put on a list of music for stoners is easy because there are literally no Hip-Hop artists affiliated with da ‘erb, right? It’s not like there was a multi-million-dollar-grossing tour called ‘Up In Smoke’, packed with household-name Hip-Hop artists celebrating all things cannabis, right?
If you were around in the 1990s, it’s tough to overlook Cypress Hill when you think of bands to smoke to. If you want to get a lil bit ghetto, Cypress Hill is where it’s at. They were full-on weed worship from day one – their debut album cover featured a skull adorned with a cannabis leaf and had a massive effect on the genre. Combining Hip-Hop with Latin rhythms and reggae samples, Cypress Hill’s lyrics unabashedly spoke of their love affair with 420 culture. With song titles like Hits From The Bong, Dr Greenthumb, and I Wanna Get High, it’s safe to say these gentlemen are probably pro-cannabis.
Bob Marley
It’s hard to leave Tuff Gong off the list. We get it - there are a million more fascinating bands to listen to, and there’s no doubt Bob Marley’s music was simple in construction. But sometimes, that happy vibe and those affirmations of peace and chill are precisely where you need to be when you’re at one with the weed. You don’t necessarily want sick beats and soundscapes all the time – sometimes you just want to vibe and be at peace with the world, and the man can get you there.
Pink Floyd
It had to be done. It’s a clichéd reference in the eyes of some, but Pink Floyd is one of the ultimate stoner bands. Mellow and brooding, yet deeply psychedelic, there’s a reason why Floyd pops up on these lists. It’s ‘wasted’ set to music, and there’s so much going on in that music. From the feel and pace to the eerie use of sampled soundbites, Pink Floyd created music suited to being high and ran with it for over 20 years. The band’s legacy will endure beyond us all, and their music will be the backdrop to many a sesh for decades to come.
Alice In Chains
A grunge band, you say? Surely not? Seattle’s Alice In Chains link to drug culture is no secret, even though it’s arguably closer and more tragically related to heroin. Metallica’s Kirk Hammett once referred to AIC’s Dirt by saying, “That’s good smack-rock, right there.” But something about Alice In Chains and cannabis sits right, particularly with indica strains. Whether it’s the juddering rhythms, the sublime vocal tandem of Staley and Cantrell, or the lush tranquility of the band’s mellowed-out acoustic albums, Alice In Chains’ music is typically dark but works extremely well after a smoke.
Admittedly, the band’s first two albums are at the heavier end of the grunge scale, but the downright stunning double EP, Jar of Flies/Sap, contains material suited to coming down, albeit tempered by those unique, twisted vocal harmonies.
Of course, there’s an unlimited list of great stoner anthems, and bands associated with the stoner movement, that you won’t find here. Bands that rightly take their place at the forefront of the culture for their music, their activism towards cannabis acceptance, and their pro-weed stance. Willie Nelson and Snoop spring to mind, along with other Hip-Hop icons like Dr Dre, Method Man, Redman...the list is practically endless. But what about the innovators? The acts that were there at the beginning, like The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, and even The Beatles? Each one is deservedly closely related to the origins of pot culture, and they remain synonymous with stoners to this day, but this list is a little bit different.
Portishead
It seems inexplicable to have two bands from Bristol on this list, but it somehow manifested. If you’re unfamiliar with Portishead, they’re a trip-hop act from England whose seminal 1994 album, Dummy, immediately catapulted them to the top of the cool list. Fueled by the success of their uber-awesome track, Glory Box, and fronted by the incredible voice of Beth Gibbons, the trio became a staple of the 1990s chillout scene. Follow-up albums fared well, but it was the instant appeal of Dummy that would shape their legacy. With achingly good melodies, unforgettable synth riffs, and a lo-fi leaning, Portishead’s incredibly atmospheric music was made for indica enjoyment.
Sigur Ros
It makes sense that one of the coolest trios on Planet Music comes from Iceland. The Reykjavik band specialises in a dreamy-sounding brand of ambient pop, making them an excellent choice for kicking back during – or post–sesh. You can’t understand what they’re singing about unless you’re fluent in Icelandic, but rather than a hindrance, this seems to help you connect more deeply with the music. This is a good thing because you quickly get swept away by the tide of swirling melodies, becoming more engrossed in the music without a lyrical story to follow.
Ágætis byrjun may be one of the most perfect albums to listen to while high, as it’s packed with celestial-sounding music that sees you drift off to blissville as you chill to the soothing, peaceful sounds.
The Prodigy
They’ve been around since 1991, but The Prodigy are best known for their mid-90s opus, The Fat of The Land. Firestarter, anyone? Starting as one of the UK’s biggest underground music acts ever, The Prodigy swiftly became a staple of the rave scene in the 1990s. The band began to dip toes in the pool of mainstream success with their third outing, 1994’s Music For The Jilted Generation, but it was the follow-up that sent them into the stratosphere. In 1997, The Prodigy released The Fat of The Land to huge critical acclaim and won the festival scene with game-changing live sets thereafter.
They’re decidedly more up-tempo and busy-sounding than everyone else in our Top 10, and that qualifies them as a band to enjoy with a good sativa. Energising, uplifting, and at times downright hi-octane, blaze a sativa, crank No Good Start The Dance and get busy doing something that needs to be done – you’ll fire through tasks in record time fuelled by The Prodigy’s intense, danceable beats.
These are just a few of the endless list of unbelievable music acts to listen to when you're high. Whether you like it heavy, mellow, or somewhere in between, all music sounds better with some THC - and THC feels better with some music.
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1. Bennett, Chris. "Early Diffusion and Folk Uses of Hemp." Cannabis Culture, 2003. (https://www.cannabisculture.com/content/1998/01/01/1311/)
2. Fairman, Brian J. "Cannabis in Jamaican Music Since the 1970s." Popular Music, 2016. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/popular-music/article/abs/cannabis-in-jamaican-music-since-the-1970s/50D2EC54625E59869A49654B5B8500B0)
3. Russo, Ethan B. "Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain." Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 2008. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/)
4. Alger, Bradley E. "Getting high on the endocannabinoid system." Cerebrum: the Dana Forum on Brain Science, 2013. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997295/)
[5] Kowal, Mikael A., et al. "Cannabis and creativity: highly potent cannabis impairs divergent thinking in regular cannabis users." Psychopharmacology, 2014. (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-014-3749-1)
[6] Tanda, Gianluigi, Fiorenza Frau, and Gaetano Di Chiara. "Cannabinoid and heroin activation of mesolimbic dopamine transmission by a common mu1 opioid receptor mechanism." Science, 1997. (https://science.sciencemag.org/content/276/5321/2048.long)
