Quantcast
ZME Science
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • More
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
Home Health & Medicine

Music sounds better on LSD, study finds

The right music can evoke powerful emotions seemingly out of the blue, but under the influence of LSD the musical experience is enhanced even further. This according to the Beckley/Imperial Psychedelic Research Programme which tested this long held assumption under a modern placebo-controlled study for the very first time.

Tibi Puiu by Tibi Puiu
September 4, 2015
in Health & Medicine, Psychology, Science
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

The right music can evoke powerful emotions seemingly out of the blue, but under the influence of LSD the musical experience is enhanced even further. This according to the Beckley/Imperial Psychedelic Research Programme which tested this long held assumption under a  modern placebo-controlled study for the very first time.

LSD music
Image: Piclist

Ten healthy volunteers  listened to five different tracks of instrumental music during each of two study days, a placebo day followed by an LSD day, separated by 5–7 days. After listening to each track, participants were asked to rate their experience on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the nine-item Geneva Emotional Music Scale (GEMS-9). According to the participants’ subjective ratings, LSD enhanced the emotions they felt while listening to the instrumental tracks, particularly those described as  “wonder”, “transcendence”, “power” and “tenderness”.

Sorry to interrupt, but you should really...

...Join the ZME newsletter for amazing science news, features, and exclusive scoops. More than 40,000 subscribers can't be wrong.

   

In the 1950 and 1960, LSD was still new and extensively studied with government-backing. Since it was made illegal, however, all the progress scientists made with the psychedelic substance was shelved, particularly the reported benefits in assisted psychotherapy. There’s evidence LSD therapy helps people quit alcohol or cigarettes, alleviate chronic anxiety and depression. It also reportedly enhances creativity. This latter claim is difficult to substantiate given that once LSD became illegal, the plug was pulled on research. We’re only recently beginning to pick up from where we left. The first LSD study in 40 years was reported just early this year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Concerning the present findings, potential LSD assisted therapies (if they’re allowed) could make use of a selected tracklist to guide the patient. More smoothing when the experience might be too much or a favorite song that might evoke an essential memory for a breakthrough. After millions have tried the drug at least once recreationally, it’s now about time we test LSD in a control setting.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tags: lsd
Share1TweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • More

© 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Future
  • Space
  • Features
  • More
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Our stance on climate change
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2019 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.