Mushroom Music: The Best Playlists For Your Psychedelic Journey

When discussing the combination of psychedelics and music, our minds often think back to the '60s heyday of LSD, Woodstock, and Hendrix. However, while that was an iconic moment in time, the way music interacts with psychedelics like magic mushrooms expands far beyond one era or genre. So, if you've been looking to integrate music into your psychedelic expeditions, we've narrowed down six playlists that will really help you make the most of them. Believe us; they will take your trip to a whole new level of enjoyment, self-discovery, and fulfilment.

What makes the perfect psychedelic playlist?

But what makes a great psychedelic playlist? While it might be tempting to crank your favourite drum & bass, dance, or even death metal tracks when you're tripping, the harshness of the music and the volume might be much more unpleasant than when you're sober.

With this in mind, we generally recommend choosing more neutral music, like soundscapes, classical, or something a little more relaxed, to keep your trip in check. Of course, you should listen to whatever type of music best suits your preferences, but instrumental tracks tend to make for the perfect background music for a mushroom trip. But by all means, if you feel like playing Dark Side of the Moon, go for it!

Magic mushrooms & music

It's no secret that psychedelics have a significant impact on the brain—but why is music paramount to many people's idea of a great trip? It's thought that the psilocybin in magic mushrooms is chemically similar to serotonin, resulting in enhanced mood and changes in sensory perception. Whether tripping or sober, music has the potential to change your perspective. Many users describe the experience of listening to music on magic mushrooms as profoundly spiritual, fostering a deeper connection to both the music and oneself. With a potentially transformative experience waiting, there are plenty of reasons to add some music to your trip.

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6 playlists for your psychedelic journey

If you're uncertain of where to start when it comes to combining magic mushrooms and music, don't worry! The following six playlists have been carefully curated to maximise the psychedelic experience. Each offers a variety of genres and styles, but all have been selected to enhance your journey from beginning to end.

Johns Hopkins University's Psilocybin Playlist

If you're looking for a playlist created specifically to accompany the psilocybin experience, look no further than this offering. Curated by Dr William Richards, author of Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences, this selection of tunes clocks in at around 6 hours (more than enough time for the duration of a hearty magic mushroom trip) and features a range of music that's been carefully chosen to evoke all kinds of emotions during your trip (in the best way possible, of course!). From classical music such as Vivaldi and Bach to chilled choices courtesy of Enya and Louis Armstrong, the Johns Hopkins University's Psilocybin Playlist makes an excellent choice for all tripping enthusiasts.

Imperial College London’s Psilocybin for Depression Playlist

While the link between psilocybin and depression is a complex topic, this psychedelic therapy playlist curated by Mendel Kaelen, a prominent figure in the world of psychedelic research and music therapy, was created for this very cause. This collection blends ambient tracks with neoclassical, resulting in a mix of feel-good songs that are perfect for pairing with your favourite magic mushrooms. Expect songs from Brian Eno, David Darling, and Max Richter, to name just a few. Simply put, this is one mellow and relaxing selection, so kick back and allow this playlist to be the soundtrack to your psychedelic experience.

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East Forest: Music for Mushrooms

Music for Mushrooms is a curated playlist by renowned ambient and contemporary classical artist Trevor Oswalt, better known as East Forest. For over a decade, he has been creating music especially for psychedelic experiences. East Forest makes the ideal choice for those looking to experience a selection of potentially unfamiliar music, as he doesn't pick massively popular artists. Still, each track is mindfully designed to cater for mushroom enthusiasts. With a mix of original music and soundscapes, it evokes all kinds of emotions from listeners while also conjuring up imagery and patterns that will enhance any trip. So take a look at East Forest's YouTube channel, pick out a playlist, and enjoy!

Chacruna Institute: A Playlist for Psilocybin

A Playlist for Psilocybin is a selection of carefully chosen songs curated by researcher Kelan Thomas of the Chacruna Institute. This psychedelic community specialises in the protection of sacred plants, cultural traditions, and education on psychedelic substances. This ethos is carried into Kelan Thomas' playlist, presenting a wide range of tracks perfect for any psilocybin experience. Listeners can expect songs from Sigur Rós, Aphex Twin, and Felt, among many others. This playlist blends ambient, new wave, and post-rock tracks, giving listeners a little more drama to soundtrack their trips. So, if you're looking for something that crescendos numerous times during its 5+ hour playtime, consider listening to A Playlist for Psilocybin.

The Alan Watts Musical Philosophy

For something a little different, consider this playlist. Although famed philosopher, author, and speaker Alan Watts passed away in 1973, his influence and teachings live on, and this playlist is a great way to experience them. This carefully selected array of music is intertwined with some excerpts of Watts' most prominent and popular recorded lectures. With music and wisdom in rotation, the Alan Watts Musical Philosophy makes for a unique choice during your psilocybin-fuelled trips. The playlist is well over 17 hours long, so this is one that can be played over many trips and is ideal for sharing with like-minded friends, much like you would with your stash of magic mushrooms or truffles!

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Jon Hopkins: Music for Psychedelic Therapy

Last on our list is an album created by musician Jon Hopkins (no relation to the aforementioned Johns Hopkins University). Music for Psychedelic Therapy is a selection of songs designed to accompany you on your psychedelic journey. The music is sparse and spacey and evokes an atmosphere where your mind can open and enjoy every nuance. Clocking in at just over an hour, Music for Psychedelic Therapy is ideal for the beginning of your mushroom trip and crescendos at the right moments before giving you time to assess what you've heard. Anticipate soothing and relaxing soundscapes that feel comforting throughout.

Create your own?

While we're sure that the playlists we've selected will make for ideal soundtracks to your trip, you can always look to make your own! Even if you take your favourite tracks from the above playlists, you can fine-tune your selection of music. Think about creating a musical journey that begins slowly before reaching a crescendo and then eventually settling back down as the psilocybin begins to wear off. It's entirely up to you! Or, if you prefer, you can always add some lectures, speeches, and psilocybin-related talks in between the music, much like the Alan Watts playlist. There's no right or wrong way to curate a playlist, but hopefully we've given you some food for thought.

Fungi-tastic playlists: Ending on a high note

So there you have it: our top musical picks for psilocybin trips. Of course, many other factors are involved in creating the perfect environment for using magic mushrooms. It's certainly no good listening to one of these playlists in a busy, crowded, and uncomfortable setting. With that in mind, we have another article that will show you everything you need to know about creating the perfect set and setting for your experience. And if you need some supplies for your next tripping session, let Zamnesia sort you out.

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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