Music and Psychedelics: How Sound Transforms the Psychedelic Experience, By Fred E.W. Peipman, PhD

Music and psychedelics have been deeply connected for centuries, from ancient rituals to modern therapeutic settings. Anyone who has combined the two will tell you—music isn’t just heard; it’s felt, seen, and experienced in a profoundly different way. Psychedelics seem to unlock new dimensions of sound, amplifying emotional responses and altering perception in ways that can be both therapeutic and mind-expanding. But what is actually happening in the brain when music and psychedelics interact? Neuroscience is beginning to unravel this mystery, offering fascinating insights into how psychedelics enhance music perception and why this connection might be key to their therapeutic benefits.

The Neuroscience of Music and Psychedelics

Psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, and DMT primarily work by interacting with serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, which are involved in cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and sensory processing. These substances temporarily disrupt the default mode network (DMN)—the part of the brain responsible for our sense of self—leading to increased neural connectivity and heightened emotional experiences.

Music, on its own, already activates a wide range of brain regions, including the auditory cortex, limbic system (which processes emotions), and prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and self-reflection). When psychedelics enter the mix, these effects are amplified, leading to experiences of synesthesia (seeing sounds as colors), heightened emotional depth, and an intense sense of connection to the music.

A 2020 study published in Scientific Reports found that participants who listened to music while under the influence of psilocybin experienced greater emotional depth and personal meaning in the music compared to a placebo group. Researchers suggest that psychedelics open a “critical period” in the brain, allowing for more flexible and profound emotional processing of sound (Kaelen et al., 2020).

How Psychedelics Change Music Perception

1. Heightened Emotional Response

Music already has the power to evoke deep emotions, but under psychedelics, this effect is magnified. Many people describe an overwhelming sense of awe, joy, sadness, or transcendence—even with songs they’ve heard a thousand times. This is likely due to increased activity in the amygdala, the brain’s emotional processing center (Barrett et al., 2018).

2. Synesthesia: Seeing Sounds, Feeling Music

Psychedelics frequently induce synesthesia, a phenomenon where different senses blend together. Listeners may see colors and geometric patterns that move with the music or even feel music as physical sensations throughout their body. This is thought to be caused by enhanced cross-talk between sensory brain regions (Grof, 1975).

3. Time Dilation and Deep Immersion

Many psychedelic users report a distorted sense of time, where a single song may feel like it stretches on for hours. This deep immersion in sound allows each note and rhythm to be experienced with heightened clarity, often leading to profound emotional insights.

4. Increased Meaning and Personal Insight

Music often takes on an entirely new meaning during a psychedelic experience, bringing up forgotten memories, unresolved emotions, or life-changing realizations. In psychedelic-assisted therapy, carefully curated music playlists help guide patients through their inner worlds, facilitating emotional breakthroughs (Kaelen et al., 2018).

Music as a Tool in Psychedelic Therapy

One of the most exciting applications of the music-psychedelic connection is its role in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Research on psilocybin therapy for depression and PTSD suggests that music plays a crucial role in shaping the psychedelic journey, providing a framework for emotional exploration (Watts et al., 2021).

Therapists use specific playlists designed to match different phases of the psychedelic experience:

• Onset Phase: Ambient, soothing music to ease the transition into altered consciousness.
• Peak Phase: Deep, expansive music that encourages introspection and emotional release.
• Integration Phase: Grounding, melodic music to help patients process insights and return to baseline.

A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that participants undergoing psilocybin therapy rated music as one of the most influential factors in their experience. The right music helped them feel supported, safe, and emotionally open (Madsen et al., 2021).

The Best Music for Psychedelic Journeys

Not all music has the same effect when combined with psychedelics. Different genres and styles evoke different responses, but some of the most recommended types include:

• Ambient and Electronic Music – Artists like Brian Eno, Jon Hopkins, and Shpongle create atmospheric soundscapes that enhance introspection.
• Classical Music – Composers like Bach, Beethoven, and Debussy provide rich, emotionally evocative experiences.
• Traditional and Shamanic Music – Indigenous drumming and ceremonial Icaros from Ayahuasca traditions have been used for centuries to guide psychedelic experiences.
• Nature Sounds – Ocean waves, rainforest ambiance, and birdsong can create a deep sense of peace and connection to the natural world.

Do Psychedelics Permanently Change Musical Preferences?

Many people report that after a profound psychedelic experience, their musical tastes shift. Some develop a deeper appreciation for classical, spiritual, or instrumental music, while others find themselves drawn to more complex, layered compositions. This might be due to lasting changes in neural connectivity and emotional associations with sound (Lebedev et al., 2016).

A study at Imperial College London found that participants who took psilocybin showed a sustained increase in music appreciation, particularly for genres they previously overlooked (Barrett et al., 2018). This suggests that psychedelics may not only enhance music perception in the moment but also rewire the way we experience sound long after the trip ends.

Conclusion: The Future of Music and Psychedelic Research

As psychedelic research expands, understanding how music interacts with these substances will be key to optimizing both therapeutic and recreational experiences. The synergy between music and psychedelics has the potential to deepen emotional healing, enhance creative expression, and unlock new ways of experiencing sound.

With emerging studies exploring personalized music therapy and AI-generated playlists for psychedelic sessions, the future of this field is just beginning to unfold. Whether in therapy, meditation, or personal exploration, the right music can serve as a powerful guide into the depths of consciousness, unlocking new emotional landscapes and states of awareness.