The Importance of Music During a Psychedelic Journey

Overview: Steve Elfrink, a psychedelic somatic interactional therapist and subject matter expert at Webdelics, explores the essential role of music in psychedelic therapy and transformative journeys. Music has been a fundamental element in Indigenous plant medicine ceremonies and modern psychedelic-assisted therapy, guiding emotional flow, enhancing introspection, and deepening healing experiences. This article delves into the science behind music’s impact on the brain, including harmonic overtones and brainwave synchronization, while highlighting traditional uses of music in psilocybin, ayahuasca, and ketamine therapy. Discover how curated soundscapes, eyeshades, and intentional music selection create a structured, emotionally supportive environment for psychedelic experiences. With insights from The Role of Music in Psychedelic Therapy and other research, plus a recommended playlist, this guide helps optimize your journey for profound self-discovery and healing.
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Music has been a powerful element in enhancing the psychedelic experience, acting as a guide and grounding force through transformative mental and emotional landscapes. From traditional indigenous ceremonies to contemporary therapeutic practices, music has long facilitated safe, meaningful navigation of altered states of consciousness. This article explores the role of music in psychedelic experiences, including ideal music types, indigenous uses of music in plant medicine ceremonies—including psilocybin—the effects of harmonic overtones on brain activity, the value of using eyeshades, a recommended playlist, and insights from recent studies, including findings from The Role of Music in Psychedelic Therapy and other published research.

The Power of Music in Psychedelic Experiences

During a psychedelic journey, music influences mood, emotional flow, and depth of introspection. It serves as an emotional anchor, helping individuals navigate the joys and challenges of the experience with greater comfort, continuity, and insight. Music creates a stable framework that makes complex emotions more accessible, often encouraging breakthroughs in self-awareness and healing.

Indigenous Use of Music in Psilocybin Ceremonies

The use of psilocybin mushrooms in ceremonial contexts dates back thousands of years, especially among indigenous groups in Central and South America. In these traditions, music, chanting, and ritual songs are integral to the experience, establishing a sacred atmosphere, connecting with the spiritual world, and supporting participants through their journeys.

Mazatec Psilocybin Ceremonies

The Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, are well-known for their ceremonial use of psilocybin mushrooms, or niños santos (sacred children), in rituals led by a curandero or curandera (healer). The music and chants used in these ceremonies, often referred to as veladas, are designed to invoke spiritual guidance, ease difficult emotions, and promote personal healing. The healer’s chants—sometimes called incantations—often include rhythmic phrases and repetitions, helping participants maintain focus and a sense of grounding during their introspective journeys.

The songs used in Mazatec ceremonies are also said to “call in” the mushroom’s healing spirit, connecting with the psilocybin experience and aiding participants as they confront visions, memories, or insights.

Other Indigenous Psilocybin Traditions

Beyond the Mazatec, other Mesoamerican groups, such as the Nahua and Mixtec, have traditionally used psilocybin mushrooms in sacred contexts. Chanting, drumming, and song are essential in these rituals, helping participants connect with ancestral knowledge, the plant spirit, and a sense of belonging. Music and sound in these contexts support healing and self-discovery by grounding participants in their cultural and spiritual heritage.

Use of Music in Other Indigenous Plant Medicine Ceremonies

Music is central to a variety of indigenous plant medicine ceremonies around the world, including those involving peyote, ayahuasca, and iboga. Each tradition incorporates unique musical elements that enhance the experience by guiding, supporting, and connecting participants with the spiritual realm.

• Peyote Ceremonies: In the Native American Church, peyote ceremonies feature communal singing and water drums that establish rhythmic patterns. These sounds help participants connect to the peyote spirit and the shared experience.
• Ayahuasca Ceremonies: Amazonian shamans use icaros (sacred songs) to guide the ceremony’s flow. These songs are chosen based on participants' needs, providing assistance through challenging visions and bringing in light during darker moments.
• Iboga Ceremonies: In Bwiti tradition in Central Africa, iboga ceremonies feature chanting, drumming, and instruments like the ngombi, a sacred harp. The repetitive rhythms help participants feel grounded and safe as they navigate intense introspective experiences.

The Role of Harmonic Overtones on Brain ActivityHarmonic overtones, or additional frequencies that occur naturally when musical notes play together, have unique effects on the brain, particularly in enhancing brainwave synchronization and emotional processing.

• Brainwave Synchronization: Harmonic overtones support brainwave synchronization, encouraging states of calm and reflection. In psychedelic states, this synchronization aids focus and emotional openness, providing a stable, introspective environment.
• Enhanced Neuroplasticity: Rhythmic, harmonious music promotes the release of serotonin and dopamine, increasing neuroplasticity and creating a receptive brain state. This makes the brain more open to new insights, facilitating a more profound and transformative experience.

The Value of Eyeshades for Deepened IntrospectionUsing eyeshades during a psychedelic session is highly recommended for enhancing introspection and promoting a deeper internal focus. By blocking external visual stimuli, eyeshades help participants turn inward, facilitating the confrontation of thoughts, emotions, and memories in a more direct and uninterrupted way. This practice parallels indigenous ceremonies, which often take place in dark, enclosed settings to support the internal journey. Traditional psilocybin and ayahuasca ceremonies, for instance, emphasize darkness as essential, allowing participants to become more attuned to their inner experiences and the plant’s spirit. For therapeutic sessions, eyeshades serve a similar purpose, allowing the music to take on an enhanced guiding role, deepening self-exploration and supporting the individual’s healing journey.Key Findings from The Role of Music in Psychedelic TherapyThe study The Role of Music in Psychedelic Therapy provides insight into how music enhances the therapeutic process in psychedelic-assisted therapy:

• Music as a “Healing Agent”: The study emphasizes that music is an active therapeutic component, shaping mood, emotional states, and the journey’s depth. Participants described music as essential for accessing and processing complex emotions.
• Individualized Musical Journeys: Music’s impact varies widely based on individual mental states and therapeutic goals. Therapists tailor music selections, often beginning with neutral, calming sounds and gradually moving to emotionally resonant pieces as the session progresses.
• Reduction in Fear and Anxiety: Carefully chosen music reduces fear and anxiety, grounding participants even during challenging phases. Harmonic music, in particular, helps individuals surrender to the experience and process difficult memories or emotions.
• Emotional Guidance: Specific musical elements such as tempo and tonality guide emotional flow. Calming pieces facilitate relaxation and safety, while crescendos encourage cathartic release.

Published Studies on Music and Psychedelic TherapyAdditional research supports music’s therapeutic role in psychedelic-assisted therapy:

• 2018 Imperial College London Study: This study revealed that emotionally resonant music enhanced participants’ openness during psilocybin therapy. The music's rhythm and tone supported them through complex emotions, reinforcing music's role in facilitating meaningful breakthroughs.
• Johns Hopkins University Research: Studies at Johns Hopkins show that music provides comfort, particularly for terminally ill patients, by helping them process existential concerns. Music is instrumental in psychedelic-assisted therapy, promoting a sense of safety and support.
• MAPS Study on MDMA-Assisted Therapy: In MDMA therapy for PTSD, rhythmic, harmonic music was shown to help patients remain grounded and process trauma-related memories more safely. This study highlighted the importance of structured music for creating a therapeutic container in MDMA-assisted sessions.

Recommended Playlist for Psychedelic JourneysHere is a playlist of ambient, chill, and new age music that supports a calming, introspective experience during therapeutic journeys. These selections offer gentle guidance, emotional resonance, and grounding. Additionally, curated playlists specifically designed for psychedelic therapy sessions are available on platforms like Spotify, making it easier for individuals to find suitable music for their journey.

1. Brian Eno - "An Ending (Ascent)" - Ethereal ambient tones that evoke serenity.
2. Steve Roach - "Structures from Silence" - Slow, layered soundscapes perfect for introspection.
3. Terry Riley - "A Rainbow in Curved Air" - Flowing classical minimalism that encourages contemplation.
4. Ludovico Einaudi - "Nuvole Bianche" - Gentle piano providing grounding.
5. Jon Hopkins - "Abandon Window" - A reflective ambient piece with subtle piano tones.
6. Traditional Ayahuasca Icaros - Sacred songs offering guidance and grounding.
7. Tycho - "A Walk" - Mellow and uplifting, bringing warmth to the journey.
8. Hilary Stagg - "Beyond the Horizon" - Soothing harp music for peace and calm.
9. Nils Frahm - "Says" - Delicate ambient music with emotional depth.
10. Max Richter - "On the Nature of Daylight" - A calming, resonant melody.

Additional Selections:

11. Moby - "LA6" (from Long Ambients 1) - Hypnotic ambient music for a relaxed state.
12. Aphex Twin - "Avril 14th" - Simple, soothing piano with nostalgic vibes.
13. Ryuichi Sakamoto - "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" - Soft, reflective music.
14. Ólafur Arnalds - "Near Light" - A calming modern classical piece.
15. Carbon Based Lifeforms - "MOS 6581" - Ambient sounds encouraging spaciousness.
16. Stars of the Lid - "Requiem for Dying Mothers, Part 2" - Slow, evolving ambient tones for introspection.
17. Alio Die - "Aura Seminalis" - Mystical ambient with a meditative quality.
18. A Winged Victory for the Sullen - "Steep Hills of Vicodin Tears" - Lush, emotional ambient music.
19. Loscil - "First Narrows" - Subtle textures and soft beats for a relaxed, contemplative state.
20. Hiroshi Yoshimura - "Green" - Nature-inspired ambient music for a peaceful escape.

These tracks, along with curated psychedelic therapy playlists available on Spotify, can enhance therapeutic or personal psychedelic journeys by creating a serene, structured soundscape that promotes deeper introspection and emotional ease.ConclusionThe use of music during psychedelic journeys is a time-honored practice, deeply rooted in indigenous traditions and now supported by modern therapeutic research. Music provides essential guidance, grounding, and emotional support, bridging internal exploration and healing. In both traditional ceremonies and therapeutic settings, music’s role is undeniable, transforming the psychedelic experience into a journey that is not only navigable but profoundly transformative.