Four Psychedelic Playlists for Psilocybin Assisted Psychotherapy

Music seems to enhance the psychedelic experience. Or at least that what John’s Hopkins University seems to think. They integrated the use of music into their psilocybin assisted psychotherapy sessions for their clinical trials held in conjunction with the FDA.

Music is such an integral component of their sessions that researchers at the John’s Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research use a formal playlist. The structure of the playlist is said to correspond with the “phases” of a psilocybin assisted psychotherapy session or “trip” in non-therapeutic terms.

Researchers select songs that correspond with the four phases of the psilocybin induced trip:

1. The ascent

2. The peak

3. The post-peak

4. And the “welcome back” music

Each segment enhances the mood or feelings associated with each phase. Everything from mood, tone, tempo, and beat are hand-crafted and intentionally added to a playlist. It seems like there is great intention behind crafting these mix-tapes.

The idea behind the playlist is that the music helps “guide” the client while they are on their psychedelic journey. In fact, psychologist Bill Richards, who has been researching psychedelics since the 1960’s, laid the foundation for these playlists with John’s Hopkins center.

But John’s Hopkins isn’t they only organization conducting clinical trials with a psychedelic playlist. I’ve found a few that

Below are a list, in no specific order, of my favorite psychedelic playlists to help inspire your next journey.

The Research Centers

#1 John’s Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research

At the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, researchers will focus on how psychedelics affect behavior, mood, cognition, brain function, and biological markers of health.

List to JH’s playlist on Google

*Spoiler Louis Armstrong is part of this playlist! So good =)

#2 NYU Langone Health and Usona Institute

NYU Langone Health Explores innovative treatments for patients struggling with addiction and other illnesses.

Usona Institute conducts and supports pre-clinical and clinical research to further the understanding of the therapeutic effects of psilocybin and other consciousness-expanding medicines.

List to NYU’s and Usona’s playlist on Spotify

#3 Chacruna Institute

Chacruna provides public education and cultural understanding about psychedelic plant medicines and promote a bridge between the ceremonial use of sacred plants and psychedelic science.

Listen to Chacruna Institute’s playlist on Spotify.

#4 Imperial College London – Center for Psychedelic Research

Our revolutionary Centre focuses on the action and clinical use of psychedelics, with a particular focus on researching the treatment of depression.

Listen to Imperial College London’s playlist on Spotify

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