How Cannabis Affects Your Perception of Time – And Why It Happens

Have you ever noticed that time seems to slow down when you're high? Maybe a song feels like it lasts forever, or a few minutes feel like an hour. This is a well-documented phenomenon among cannabis users, and there's a scientific explanation behind it. But why does cannabis alter your sense of time, and what’s happening in your brain when this occurs? Let’s dive in.

The Brain’s Timekeeping System

To understand how cannabis affects time perception, we first need to explore how our brains track time. Unlike a clock, which ticks away consistently, our brains rely on multiple networks and cognitive processes to estimate the passage of time. The basal ganglia and cerebellum play key roles in processing time intervals, while the prefrontal cortex integrates sensory information and attention to create our subjective experience of time.

Neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, are critical in regulating this process. Dopamine helps encode time perception, influencing how fast or slow we feel time is moving. When dopamine levels fluctuate, so does our ability to accurately gauge time intervals. Have you ever been in an accident and felt like things were going in slow motion? That's the result of your brain entering a state of heightened arousal, which increases attention and information processing. A similar thing happens when you're high.

How Cannabis Disrupts Time Perception

Cannabis primarily affects the brain through its active compound, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC binds to cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 receptors, which are abundant in brain areas responsible for perception, memory, and motor control. This disruption alters several cognitive functions, including time perception.

1. Dopamine Disruption

THC influences dopamine release in complex ways. While it can temporarily increase dopamine levels, it also dysregulates the system, making time feel distorted. This is similar to how psychedelics or certain stimulant drugs can affect temporal perception.

2. Memory and Attention Changes

Cannabis also affects working memory and attention, which are essential for tracking time. When high, users tend to focus more on momentary experiences rather than processing the bigger picture, making time intervals feel stretched out. This is why a short event may seem much longer than it actually is.

3. Sensory Enhancement

Many cannabis users report heightened sensory experiences—music sounds richer, colors seem more vibrant, and emotions feel more intense. Because your brain is processing more sensory information, it may feel like more events are occurring, giving the illusion that time is moving more slowly.

4. Changes in the Basal Ganglia

Studies have suggested that THC directly affects the basal ganglia, a region responsible for timing and motor control. When THC binds to CB1 receptors in this area, it disrupts the brain's ability to process time intervals accurately, contributing to the feeling that time is stretching out.

The Subjective Experience of Time Dilation

People experience cannabis-induced time distortion in different ways. Some find it amusing and enjoy the sensation of “living in the moment,” while others may find it disorienting or even uncomfortable. The degree of time alteration depends on factors such as dosage, strain potency, individual tolerance, and even psychological state.

Higher doses of THC generally amplify the distortion, making time feel significantly slower, while lower doses may cause only mild effects. Indica strains, which are often associated with a more sedative experience, might enhance time dilation even further compared to sativa strains.

Is It a Good or Bad Thing?

For some, altered time perception can be a benefit. Many artists and musicians claim that cannabis helps feed creativity, helping them become more immersed in their craft by making them feel like they have more time to focus on creativity. Others enjoy the sensation because it allows them to slow down and appreciate life in a different way.

However, the experience isn’t always pleasant. In some cases, an extreme sense of time dilation can contribute to anxiety or paranoia, especially in inexperienced users or those prone to anxiety. Feeling like time has slowed too much can be unsettling, leading to discomfort rather than relaxation.

Final Thoughts

Cannabis alters time perception by interacting with the brain’s dopamine system, affecting memory and attention, and disrupting the basal ganglia’s ability to process time intervals. The result? Time seems to slow down, making experiences feel longer than they really are.

Whether this effect is enjoyable or unsettling depends on the individual and the circumstances. If you’re curious about this sensation, approach cannabis with mindfulness—start with a low dose and be aware of your mental state. Understanding the science behind time distortion can help you navigate and even appreciate the experience the next time you light up.