Optimizing music for psychedelic-assisted therapy: Examining contemporary practices, traditional entheogenic rituals, and musically-induced peak experiences
Brandon Reynante, Jack H Buchanan
Journal of Psychedelic Studies June 2, 2026 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2026.00523 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Interdisciplinary literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mystical experience Psychedelic-assisted therapy Shamanism |
| Keywords | Rhythm Key lock Music psychology Music and emotion Indigenous Music therapy Contemporary classical music Musicology Cognitive psychology Music history Music education Popular music Music theory Duration music Aesthetics Musicality Cognitive science Phenomenon Dynamics music Clinical practice Musical composition Period music Performance practice |
| Key findings | Music in modern psychedelic-assisted therapy, traditional entheogenic rituals, and musically-induced peak experiences shows conflicting features in complexity, constancy, and tempo, likely due to differences in music's assumed role and the associated non-ordinary state of consciousness. |
Abstract
Abstract Background and Aims Music has been associated with psychedelic experiences throughout human history, from ancient shamanic healing rituals to contemporary psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), and is considered integral for positive therapeutic outcomes. Yet optimized protocols and best practice standards for the use of music in PAT are lacking.
Methods: This interdisciplinary literature review identifies the role, characteristics, hypothesized mechanisms, and relevant contextual factors of music associated with (1) modern PAT practices, (2) traditional entheogenic rituals, and (3) musically-induced peak experiences.
Results: The findings reveal conflicting musical features across these three contexts. Modern PAT music is designed to mirror the subjective intensity of drug effects with a peak phase marked by simplicity, consistency, and slow tempo. Entheogenic ritual music exhibits simple compositional forms with elements of rhythmic complexity, constancy with subtle variations, and fast tempo. Peak experience-inducing music is complex, surprising (with large dynamic changes), and fast. These differences in music may be due to differences in the assumed role of music and the associated non-ordinary state of consciousness.
Conclusions: Preliminary recommendations for clinical PAT practice include: tailoring music to the drug, the individual, and the desired experience; drawing on mechanism-based theories from music psychology; and considering the ethics of integrating Indigenous musical practices. In general, there is a dearth of research directly comparing different types of music during PAT, particularly along key dimensions such as familiarity, complexity, and constancy, suggesting a need for further experimental studies with diverse populations.