In the 1960s, the psychedelic music scene experienced an explosion when bands such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Jefferson Airplane brought psychedelics such as LSD into the realm of public discourse. Their music, full of experimental sounds and mind-altering lyrics, was inspired by their well-documented use of psychedelics — acid and psilocybin mushrooms.
As psychedelics became part of musical and cultural life, they also attracted negative attention from authorities. Psychedelics' association with the 1960s counterculture caused them to be banned, which in turn halted promising research into psychiatry and psychotherapy that could have a profound impact on the development of treatments for mental disorders and shape culture for years to come.
This history of psychedelics is an example of artistic and spiritual excesses hindering scientific progress. However, it also serves as a lesson: today we are rediscovering the possibilities of psychedelic research and therapeutic applications by learning from the mistakes of the past.
Origins of scientific research on psychedelics
The beginnings of scientific research into psychedelics date back to the early 20th century, when substances like psilocybin and LSD caught the attention of scientists for their ability to significantly alter perception and consciousness. In 1938, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann synthesized LSD-25, and in 1943 he accidentally tested it by absorbing a drop through his skin, which was the first recorded «acid trip». This event spurred further research, revealing LSD's potential for therapy and psychological breakthroughs.
In the 1950s, ethnomycologist Gordon Wasson introduced the Western world to psilocybin mushrooms after participating in rituals of indigenous peoples in Mexico. His reporting popularized these sacred mushrooms, but subsequent mass tourism, including participants such as John Lennon and Bob Dylan, negatively impacted Mazatec culture, causing exploitation and cultural degradation.
As psychedelics became part of musical and cultural life, they also attracted negative attention from authorities. Psychedelics' association with the 1960s counterculture caused them to be banned, which in turn halted promising research into psychiatry and psychotherapy that could have a profound impact on the development of treatments for mental disorders and shape culture for years to come.
This history of psychedelics is an example of artistic and spiritual excesses hindering scientific progress. However, it also serves as a lesson: today we are rediscovering the possibilities of psychedelic research and therapeutic applications by learning from the mistakes of the past.
Origins of scientific research on psychedelics
The beginnings of scientific research into psychedelics date back to the early 20th century, when substances like psilocybin and LSD caught the attention of scientists for their ability to significantly alter perception and consciousness. In 1938, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann synthesized LSD-25, and in 1943 he accidentally tested it by absorbing a drop through his skin, which was the first recorded «acid trip». This event spurred further research, revealing LSD's potential for therapy and psychological breakthroughs.
In the 1950s, ethnomycologist Gordon Wasson introduced the Western world to psilocybin mushrooms after participating in rituals of indigenous peoples in Mexico. His reporting popularized these sacred mushrooms, but subsequent mass tourism, including participants such as John Lennon and Bob Dylan, negatively impacted Mazatec culture, causing exploitation and cultural degradation.
The union of scientists and musicians that fueled the counterculture of the 1960s
These innovators and researchers created a bridge between the scientific and musical communities, who began to see psychedelics not only as a scientific object, but also as a source of inspiration and entertainment. Leary, for example, did more than just publish — he hosted meetings with members of the counterculture, interacted with bands like the Grateful Dead, and helped popularize psychedelics as accessible substances.
Bands such as The Beatles used LSD extensively, which had a significant impact on their work, spawning albums such as Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Musicians like Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix embodied the psychedelic experience in their compositions, creating unique sound worlds that cemented the drug's place in the counterculture movement.
Psychedelics played an important role in the anti-war and civil rights movements of the 1960s, becoming catalysts for radical ideas and social change. Leaders such as Allen Ginsberg and Abbie Hoffman used these substances to challenge the status quo by promoting peace, equality, and social justice. Psychedelics promoted a sense of unity, solidarity, and empathy, which became an important part of the struggle against the Vietnam War and for human rights.
Music festivals, especially Woodstock 1969, became centers of psychedelic culture, gathering hundreds of thousands of young people seeking freedom, music, and expanded consciousness. LSD and other psychedelics were widely available as part of the event. Performances by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who epitomized the spirit of the era, combining music with the transformative properties of psychedelics.
The role of the music industry in shaping negative perceptions of psychedelics
Despite the significant contribution of psychedelics to social movements and music culture, their popularity has also attracted the attention of authorities and the media. The more widely these substances spread, the more they were portrayed in a negative light as dangerous and destabilizing. The media fanned fears with stories of «bad trips», mass psychosis and public crises associated with LSD and psilocybin use.
Public opinion was shaped by stories such as the «LSD Kool-Aid» and free clinics dispensing psychedelics. As a result, psychedelics began to be seen not as a scientific tool, but as a dangerous social evil. In 1970, President Nixon, eager to find culprits for a political and social crisis, easily linked psychedelics to the anti-war and counterculture wave, leading to the Controlled Substances Act. It conflated LSD and psilocybin with heroin and cocaine, effectively banning further research.
This policy halted scientific development and research on psychedelics for decades, significantly slowing progress on their therapeutic use. An astonished scientific community was deprived of the opportunity to study the long-term effects and potential of these substances, and the ban became a barrier to scientific discovery in the mental health field.
The intertwining of psychedelics with 1960s culture, their use in music and protest movements had both positive and tragic consequences. On the one hand, psychedelics became a catalyst for social change and artistic innovation; on the other, their irresponsible dissemination undermined trust and created misinformation. Media portrayals, high-profile events and incidents exacerbated negative perceptions, overshadowing the therapeutic potential of these substances. Prohibition and the subsequent cessation of research left the scientific community without valuable data and the opportunity to realize the potential of psychedelics in the treatment of mental illness.
A new era in the art world?
Musicians and their music, who throughout history have been a powerful force for social change, are this time ready to play a decisive role in the legalization process.
A discussion of the influence of the musical soundtrack of the 1960s counterculture movement — discussed in detail in the first part of this article — is unthinkable without recognizing the role of recreational psychedelics. This connection eventually led to federal restrictions on psychedelic research that have remained in place since the early 1970s.
Unlike previous generations, for whom The Beatles serenaded with the call to «Turn off your mind, relax and go with the flow», the current wave of musicians are bringing that sentiment back with an up-to-date interpretation. They use psychedelics not only as a source of inspiration, but also as tools for deep inner healing. With the worsening mental health crisis in the United States, these artists are actively advocating for psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), bridging the boundaries between past counterculture and the modern scientific renaissance.
As a new generation of musicians with a focus on mental health grows in popularity, their voices could become a powerful driving factor behind the adoption of PAT. They are already helping to bring this promising treatment out of the shadows, helping to inform the public and foster a culture in which psychedelics will become a standard part of mental health therapy. While the musicians of the 1960s may have hurt public perception of psychedelics, today's artists are poised to lead the movement toward new ways of using them.
Contemporary musicians and the promotion of psychedelic therapy
Today, a growing number of prominent musicians recognize psychedelics as a potential tool for healing, dealing with anxiety, and overcoming addictions. They are using their public platforms to normalize the idea of safe and controlled use of psychedelics to address mental health issues related to fame, personal trauma, and future fears. This openness has the potential to change the perception of psychedelics among their fans and critics.
For many artists, psychedelics are a means of regaining a sense of self and trust in others after years of criticism and negative opinions in the industry. For example, rapper A$AP Rocky said that his experience with LSD helped him better understand his consciousness and cope with personal problems. He noted that psychedelics changed his life for the better, opened his third eye and made him more sensitive and loving, helping him open his heart.
Miley Cyrus, who has been in the spotlight from an early age, has gone through many struggles growing up and being a woman, and now sober, believes that going on an ayahuasca trip helped her deal with high stress and public pressure. She shared that it was a healing experience that helped her look into her heart and realize who she really is.
Conscious use of psychedelics in therapy
In an industry where artists seek a balance between personal growth and commercial success, musicians have a unique opportunity to normalize mental health. When well-known figures publicly acknowledge the use of psychedelics as part of therapy and self-discovery, it sends a strong message to their audience: while recreational use can be risky, safe and supervised use under the guidance of professionals is an important and necessary step.
In contrast to uncontrolled and often dangerous forms of use, these artists emphasize the need for the right «setting and environment» — a safe environment and a trusted guide or therapist to help guide the process. The therapeutic experience with psychedelics often involves facing deep fears and trauma, which can be emotionally demanding. However, proponents of this approach believe that it is through such work that true healing is achieved. Integration — the use of talk therapy to reflect on and process the insights gained — is considered an important component, fostering self-awareness and self-compassion.
By sharing their personal stories, the artists help to reduce the stigma of PAT and encourage a more open attitude towards mental wellbeing, showing that seeking help is an expression of strength.
Integrating psychedelics into psychiatric practice
Expanding access to psychedelic therapies through insurance coverage is still in development. Currently, classic psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin continue to struggle for FDA approval in the U.S., and are only legal in some countries and regions, such as Jamaica, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Amsterdam. At the same time, ketamine therapy is already available in some U.S. states and shows promising results with proper guidance.
The interplay of science, personal experience, and artistic expression creates a powerful potential for breakthroughs in mental health. By working together, a future can be created in which psychedelic therapy becomes a recognized tool not only for alleviating suffering, but also for developing empathy and neuroplasticity, benefiting all of society. These combined efforts can open a new page — a brighter and more humane one — for those struggling with mental disorders and for society as a whole.