Out of time? - Music, consciousness states and neuropharmacological mechanisms of an altered temporality

2009

Drug-induced altered temporality is a well-known effect of cannabis action that is utilised from musicians and music listeners for music appreciation since the early days of jazz. Cannabis has an influence on timing processes at short time scales of hundreds of milliseconds as O’Leary et al (2003) have shown in their tapping studies, proving evidence of an altered cerebellar functioning. This paper will focus on cannabis and its action on timing and aims to discuss selected scientific streams of research on the neurophysiological and neuropharmacological base of timing mechanisms in terms of an social pharmacology of music (Fachner, 2009). The mechanisms behind this altered temporality rema…