In the clinical treatment rooms of Johns Hopkins and Imperial College London, participants are given three things: a dose of psilocybin, a pair of eyeshades, and a pair of headphones. While the chemical catalyzes the experience, it is the music that can help to steer the ship
Neuroscientist Mendel Kaelen coined the term “The Hidden Therapist” to describe this phenomenon. In a psychedelic state, music ceases to be mere entertainment. Participants of this study – which, it should be mentioned, only had a sample size of 19 – reported that music helped act as a non-verbal support structure, a safety net during difficult moments, and a catalyst for the most profound emotional breakthroughs. For anyone planning a therapeutic journey – whether in a clinic or a safe retreat – curating the right soundscape may help have a positive impact on the psychedelic experience.
A term you’ll hear and read about often in the psychedelic community is “set and setting”, which refers to your mental state going into the trip and your surroundings during. Music is considered a part of the “setting”, and can play a role in the experience itself.
LSD, for example, was found to enhance the emotions of “wonder”, “power”, and “tenderness.” And that research by Kaelen at Imperial College London found that the quality of one’s music experience enhances “mental imagery” and “personal meaningfulness.”
When senses of self and normalcy are disrupted – which happens during psychedelic trips – music provides a continuous thread of continuity – an “anchor” of sorts to hold onto. It acts as a trusted guide, signaling that “this too shall pass” and helping the voyager navigate through challenging emotional waters without getting lost.
Just as a movie has a narrative arc, a psychedelic playlist can mirror the arc of a psychedelic trip. The gold-standard “Wave” structure, pioneered by researchers like Bill Richards at Johns Hopkins, generally follows distinct phases.
As the drugs begins to take effect, anxiety is common. The goal here is reassurance.
As the effects intensify, the music needs to pick up the energy to match the expanding consciousness.
This is the heart of the journey. The music here should be emotionally evocative and structurally complex to match the intensity of the experience.
As the peak subsides, the music should pivot to warmth and integration.
Classical music is a staple of psychedelic therapy because it carries a narrative arc without imposing specific words. The “Western Classical” tradition (Bach, Mozart, Brahms) provides a structure that’s timeless and reliable. Conversely, modern ambient or “generative” music (like that used by Wavepaths) offers a more open, less directive space, which can be better for those who find classical music too demanding.
It may be helpful to some to avoid lyrical music during the onset and peak. Lyrics could impose a specific meaning (the songwriter’s story) onto the listener, which can derail the voyager’s own internal narrative. If the song is about a breakup, you might think about your ex-partner instead of your own deeper trauma.
Don’t be afraid of silence. If the music feels overwhelming or “too much,” taking the headphones off for a few minutes can act as a hard reset. Silence allows the mind to settle before re-engaging with the sound.
Psychologist Bill Richards curated the playlist used in the famous 2006 psilocybin study. It leans heavily on Western classical music (Vivaldi, Górecki) to provide a “structured trajectory” for the ego to surrender into.
Founded by Mendel Kaelen, Wavepaths represents the future of this field. Instead of a static playlist, it uses generative AI to create a soundscape that adapts in real-time to the patient’s needs, offering a “responsive” music experience that is purely ambient and non-directive.