Altered States The Psychedelic Playlist
Oct 1, 2025
Bill Richards, a clinical psychologist and pioneer in psychedelic-assisted therapy, shares insights on the origins and evolution of the Johns Hopkins playlist, highlighting how music shapes different phases of psychedelic experiences. Fred Barrett, a cognitive neuroscientist, explores the intersection of memory and music during psychedelic sessions, revealing gaps in understanding this relationship. They discuss the need for cultural sensitivity in playlist design and ponder whether music alone can evoke psychedelic-like effects, leaving listeners intrigued by the science behind sound and the mind.
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Participant Felt Unseen By Playlist
- Sugra Ahmed prayed, took psilocybin, put on eye shades and headphones, and experienced music as the main sensory input during her session.
- She felt the Johns Hopkins playlist skewed Euro-Christian and did not reflect her Muslim musical tradition, which affected how seen she felt.
Origin Story From A Pioneer
- Bill Richards, a pioneer in psychedelic therapy, described creating the original Hopkins playlist for moderately high-dose sessions.
- He designed the playlist to support different phases of the psychedelic experience and to access
Music Tracks Psychedelic Phases
- Richards structured the playlist around session phases: background, onset, peak, transcendence, and return.
- He selected classical pieces (e.g., Bach, Barber, Brahms) because their unfolding dynamics support emotional opening and climax.