As more research unfolds and people continue to share their experiences with psilocybin, we are discovering more about the powerful relationship between music and psychedelics. While there is a lot to still uncover, we do know that music can influence a mushroom trip and make it deeper, richer and more meaningful.

A German poet (Auerbach) once said, “Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”  Knowing that psychedelics like psilocybin work in a similar way, it only makes sense that the combination of music and mushrooms would be magical! For those who use psychedelics for therapy, or simply for a fun or mystical trip, being in tune has never felt so good.

The power of music to enhance a magic mushroom experience is no secret to those who enjoy them, but it has also been backed by science for decades. More recently, a Danish study on psilocybin and music found that participants who took magic mushrooms reported that they felt (on average) 60% more emotionally responsive to music while under its effects. Simply put, the music made them feel more.

Bill Richards, a PhD researcher from John Hopkins University has studied hallucinogens for a long time. He recognizes the influence of music when using psilocybin … but not just any music. He put together a psilocybin playlist that offers an “optimal soundtrack” to help structure the user’s experience. He makes it clear the music itself doesn’t mean you’ll have a better experience, but it helps to support the flow. The order of the songs creates the right atmosphere for the various stages of the trip.

When it comes to psychedelic therapy sessions, music is a key element. Not only does it make for a less ‘clinical’ environment, but it’s also strategically designed to work with each patient’s unique treatment needs. Therapists will match music to each phase of the trip using careful transitions between each stage, but also allowing for flexibility with sounds if the session takes different turns.

Remember that the music you play helps give your set and setting that extra level of awesomeness. What’s a party without good music? That’s why you want to create a playlist in advance or explore the many playlists available online that are designed for psychedelic trips. You definitely don’t want to waste your shroom trip looking up songs and getting frustrated, or worse – having that ‘one friend’ take control of the tunes all night.

Need suggestions for what music to play? Trippy music from the 60s and 70s is always a groove, and of course your favourite EDM, pop or hip-hop, but … since the whole point of magic mushrooms is to open your mind, then be sure to explore new sounds too.

Take classical music for example. You may feel it’s boring, but … what if it sounded amazing and you could hear every single instrument at once? A violin, piano, clarinet, cello – all in a powerful wave of mind-blowing euphoria. Sounds interesting, right? In fact, most psychedelic playlists used in therapy sessions include a wide selection of classical music to help guide the journey.

You may also want to include a few music selections from diverse cultures around the world to add a different level of inspiration or awe to your psychedelic trip. You could also sample a few music genres you don’t normally listen to since you are already in an open-minded, harmonious headspace.

For anyone who has tripped before, you’ll know that there are distinct phases to your experience. That’s why it’s a good idea to adjust the songs you play to guide the flow.

At the onset of the trip, your playlist might include happy or uplifting music, but nothing too hard core or intense– not yet. When enjoying the few hours of your shroom peak, that’s the best time to explore those different sounds. However, you may in fact be so deep in your experience that you aren’t even aware of the music, and that’s OK too. The trip is not about the music, it’s about you and your journey.

When coming down, familiar, introspective or more chill sounds are often recommended while the hallucinogenic effects wear off. Enjoy some soulful sounds or find new meaning in poetic lyrics from Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan or Beatles songs. They tripped out on psychedelics too – they know a thing or two about it.

We hope that your first – or next – psilocybin adventure is full of musical magic! If you do create a psychedelic playlist, you can always upload it to sites like Spotify or iTunes or add a link to your own social media accounts to share with others. And as always, it is important to take psilocybin products that are carefully cultivated and tested for a safe, elevated experience.