lsd music trip

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How to pick music for people on lsd, from a scientist whose job that is.

Neuroscientist Mendel Kaelen. Image: Mendel Kaelen

Image: Mendel Kaelen

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Set and Setting For Psychedelics

This article has been medically reviewed by Katrina Oliveros, MSN-ED, BSN

Maria Katrina is a trauma-informed Wellness Educator and Psychedelic Harm Reduction Consultant. Beyond nursing, she supports health & wellness teams through medical aid, psychedelic harm reduction, and integration services.

Adapted From Chapter 19 of  The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide by Jim Fadiman

If you have any familiarity with LSD use, you’ve probably heard the expression “Set and Setting.” It was coined by Norman Zinberg to describe the context for psychedelic drug experience and has become widely accepted by researchers in psychedelic therapy.

Unknown to most others, however, are four other S’s: substance, sitter, session, and situation. Although these four S’s do not play as primary a role as Set and Setting, they still affect the nature and value of a psychedelic experience.

In this article, I dive headfirst into descriptions for each S and why it is critical to keep every S in mind for a great psychedelic experience.

‘Set’ is short for the mindset during a trip.  It includes the preparation and expectations of the voyager and guide before embarking on a psychedelic experience.

Before a psychedelic experience, the Voyager (person taking the psychedelic) should make a number of preparations. First off, the Voyager needs to approach the psychedelic experience as a three-day experience, not a one day trip. On the first day, stay quiet and unhurried. Set aside time for self-reflection and spend part of the day in nature. On the second day, consume the psychedelic. On the third day, begin to integrate the experience and record your discoveries and insights.

During the first day, record your thoughts related to the experience:

• What are your preconceptions about psychedelic experiences?
• What do you expect to occur during the trip?
• What do you hope to learn? Experience? Understand? Resolve?
• What are your goals? Do you have spiritual goals? Psychological goals? Social goals?

Discuss these thoughts with your guide. They can clarify any concerns you may have, helping you to experience a deeper sense of calm in approaching a psychedelic experience.

The setting is the surrounding in which the trip occurs. It includes the physical environment and the space for the session.

There are two options for a physical setting when taking psychedelics:

• An uncluttered, comfortable room with a couch or bed
• A familiar outdoor setting

If you decide to take a psychedelic indoors, pick a clean, uncluttered place with a couch or bed, and access to a toilet. Make sure there is a variety of soft pillows and blankets and some sort of stereo system. Your goal is to create and maintain a simple environment that supports inner peace.

If taken outdoors, may create a more extroverted experience. Connecting to nature becomes an essential part of the experience. However, even if tripping outdoors, make sure there is a space to lie down. Bring a blanket and music along.

Many trips combine these two atmospheres. I’ve had many voyages where I begin my trip outside and retire to an indoor location later on. Alternatively, one can experience the most intense period of a psychedelic trip inside, and, then, explore nature.

In terms of atmosphere, music is critical for an enlightening entheogenic experience . In fact, according to the Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: “Most cultures that use plants for healing, divination, or spiritual revivification use music to facilitate the transition from one level of awareness to another and to enhance the feeling of safety by providing nonverbal support.”

Either headphones or a stereo system will work. Focus on classical music. Specific recommendations include Hovhaness’s  Mysterious Mountain,  Faure’s  Requiem,  Gregorian chants, solo piano, piano with one or two other instruments, unaccompanied flute, ragas, and indigenous drum recordings.

Avoid anything with words after the first hour. It may be distracting.

When listening to music, closing your eyes will increase its impact. To enhance the experience, use an eyeshade, pillow, or soft cloth to create a sense of complete darkness.

Certain individuals who have truly profound experiences have no desire to try psychedelics again. This might happen to you.

Whenever you do try psychedelics again, control for all of the above variables.

And if you couldn’t find a sitter the first time, make an extra effort to do so for your second experience.

How much of the psychedelic are you taking?

If you want to improve your work productivity and creativity, then a microdose is best (10-20ug of LSD , 0.1-0.2g dried psilocybin mushrooms ).

If you want to have a moderate entheogenic experience, then a moderate dose is best (100-150ug of  LSD , 1-1.5g dried  psilocybin mushrooms ).

If you desire a full-on ‘heroic dose’, then 200-400ug of LSD (or 2-4g dried psilocybin mushrooms) will work. I do not recommend any dose higher than 400ug. Anything above might cause mental instability.

For more information on how much you should take, please look at  this resource . It is a comprehensive guide on dose amount for a range of psychedelics.

Do you have a guide for the session? Someone to take care of you?

For any user of psychedelics (especially a new user), a guide for your trip is recommended. An ideal guide is someone who has extensive experience with psychedelics – both taking them and guiding others through psychedelic experiences. Guides must be sober.

The sitter acts as a reassuring figure in the midst of a disorientating experience. They take care of the physical setting, monitors the music, and, most importantly, acts as a sensitive pillar of support for the voyager.

If you cannot find an experienced sitter to guide you, do not let this deter you from trying psychedelics. I have used LSD well over 15 times and have never had a sitter. Yet, I consider my experiences with LSD to be some of the most transformative of my entire life.

If you do not have a sitter, you must manage the other 5 S’s. Also, as additional help, it may be a good idea to enlist the help of a friend, even if they have no experience with psychedelic use.

‘Session’ refers to the general time for a voyage (depends on the psychedelic – see all our substance guides for more information) and the particular aspects of a voyage. According to the Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide, there are six stages to a psychedelic session:

• Ingesting the Psychedelic
• Initial Onset
• Opening and Letting Go
• The Gentle Glide
• The End of the Formal Session

I go into further details about all six of these aspects  in this article.

‘Situation’ refers to how the Voyager integrates the experience into his or her life. It begins with the end of the formal session and extends for weeks, or even months, into the future.

Make a pointed effort to sit down and figure out what matters most to you from your experience: Did you have any groundbreaking insights into your habits, daily actions, or thought processes? Are there any people in your life who you should reach out to? Or, alternatively, people who bring you down and you must leave behind?

Be patient with yourself when making these decisions. Do not make any major life changes for the first few weeks. Instead, give yourself time to integrate your experience. The exception would be to stop any toxic behaviors, like overconsumption of alcohol or drugs.

If you plan to talk to others about your experience, many may not understand due to a multitude of reasons such as stigma surrounding drug use. Psychedelic integration circles where like-minded folk come together to share their experiences may be helpful. Read more about psychedelic integration here.

Remember, your psychedelic trip is primarily an internal experience. Keep it internal. Grow from it. Use it to help you reach a higher level of self-awareness .

When Should I Try Psychedelics Again?

As with other positive experiences, you might have a desire to try it again. After taking LSD the first time, I went on to experiment with it an additional 5-6 times over the course of the next three months. I was 19 at the time and if I could go back, I’d approach my psychedelic experiences with more caution.

The rule of thumb for psychedelic experiences is the more profound the experience, the longer you should wait before doing it again. A comfortable time frame for most individuals is at least six months. It takes at least this long to integrate the learning and insights into your life.

Where Can I Find More Guidance?

Our substance guides will give you more information about the properties of specific psychedelics, and should inform you about the particular risks and benefits of certain substances.

If you’re interested in taking a psychedelic, but are apprehensive about taking a large dose – consider microdosing first. Our Microdosing Course offers an extensive amount of information to help you get started with psychedelics, and is the perfect introduction to the world of psychoactive substances for those who are psychedelic-naive.

Signing up to our course also gives you access to our exclusive members-only community, where you can ask questions to our team of experts, and other experienced community members.

Finally, subscribe to The Third Wave podcast for weekly interviews with influential figures in the psychedelic community, as well as people who have started to microdose to improve their daily lives.

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You are right about set and setting 100%, however many of the aspects you mention are quite subjective.. What if someone finds a certain indoor location “setting” comfortable that most other people don’t ? The same applies to music and such.. Thus, this is all subjective and adjustable depending on each person

this site does contain some useful info esp. regarding research chems. but it has too much of a namby pamby approach for scared newbies. started taking 400ug of strawberry fields lsd in the late 60’s every weekend always in pubs/clubs for many years, psychoactives are social drugs wasted sitting on your own. also have been microdosing with various mainstream drugs since before the term was even coined. microdosing is just a feel good boost, everyone should also experience the life changing outlook of a full on trip of some kind. never had a problem sourcing all the street drugs listed on the site, with really good purity.

I’m tired of reading about all this. You make so many assumptions that LSD or Psilocybin is easy to find. Get me in touch with some lab grade LSD sources so I can have this experience. The rest will take of itself

Keep up the research u crazy kids. There are plenty more answers to find. If u run out of questions it’s time to stop exploring & settle where you are Xx

NEVER STOP EXPLORING

Give it a go twinny but been trying so long I’m exhausted! The fun search has turned into a night mare. Roll on NL asap!!

Thats so true…so hard to find good product that you can trust. How to experiment well when there so much crap out there…

That’s true. ’cause of it I decided to switch to shrooms. I can be sure what I grow myself, and I have no reason to contact any criminals to have my experience.

Mushrooms can have an Immediate Dire (death) affect on your liver and kidneys if not the right one! Caution should be a Priority when ingesting mushrooms!

How do you know when it’s too late? Just be careful.

He knows they’re the right type of mushrooms because he grew them himself…

What is your recommendation on going on a trip alone or together with someone else? Not as a sitter but who also takes the drug to share the experience.

I never had sitters, i like being aloof anyway so im most comfortable alone. People make me nervous as fuck when i trip. Even buddies, i find it much more personal and insightful to trip alone. Just make sure theres no one coming home or b.s. in the middle of it. Listen to terrance McKenna, he always said alone, dark room ,silence, heroic dose.

I had a heroic dose with my boyfriend some 6 months ago. The source was trustworthy but I had no idea it would be this strong. It was an insanely good experience, we were cuddling the whole time and for me it felt like he was guiding me with his voice (in fact he was completely silent), while he felt my smile was guiding him (it was pitch dark). It brought us a lot closer and resolved a number of relationship issues for us. I can only recommend couple trips!

Same!! I tried it for the very first time last year and it was definitely far more intense than I could’ve ever imagined, but in the best kind of way. I’ve only taken it twice thus far and both times were at EDM festivals, which just made the experiences that much more magical. I had lots of friends say to take it at home the first time because of how intense it is, but I’m glad I didn’t do it at home first time around. I do strongly encourage newbies to a) keep a buddy around to help keep them grounded in case their trip goes south and b) to take it at home or in a more low-key environment the first time around, esp. if they’ve never done psychedelics in general before. If they’ve tripped on mushrooms or taken MDMA in the past, then they may feel more inclined to take it somewhere outside of the home, but it’s all about knowing the limitations of your own body and how you react to taking psychedelics in general. I personally find it a bit boring and lonely to take psychedelics at home & by myself, I very much so enjoy the social aspect because it makes me come out of my shell more (I’m normally a super introverted/shy kind of person). In addition, part of what makes my journey so amazing is the live music component..and being at EDM festivals/raves is an all-encompassing experience to all the senses because of the vibes of the people, the music, the lights, the dancing, just everything about it. 🙂 Only downside is not always having a place to lie down and rest lol..but I still think the positives outweigh the negatives in that regard. ;P

I never had sitters, i like being aloof anyway so im most comfortable alone. People make me nervous as fuck when i trip. Even buddies, i find it much more personal and insightful to trip alone. Just make sure theres no one coming home or b.s. in the middle of it. Listen to terrance McKenna, he always said alone, dark room ,silence, heroic dose. That said one of my best trips was 1 on 1. I think tgats much much better than sitter or group.

Careful with the dosages on the mushrooms. There are local varieties that are twice as strong as the standard cubensis.

At least that. I have lots of experience with cubensis from several continents, but living in Seattle I found some cyanesens in my back yard and holy shit, it’s next level. I had read a lot about it so I kind of knew what I was getting into, but it still knocked my socks off. 1g of that would be heroic in my books and I’ve have upwards of 6g of cubensis after a few months abstinence from any psychedelics. Same goes for azzies or any other wood growing shroom.

From everything I have read, I am lead to believe that salvia divinorum to be the most trusted and most consistent. I also have heard that you have to titrate the use, start off really small each setting and gradually increase the dose. For those who actually go beyond a certain level, they have a freakish nightmarish experience and will never try again. I have tried it multiple times but in low doses and haven’t even got to the point of going in through the tunnel. But I have come very close. I purchased some 50x because I do not like to inhale too much combustion thus a stronger strength would require less. I have not been able to try the 50x as of yet. I think I would also like to try just chewing the fresh leaves and growing it myself. I really enjoyed this book the most on the subject. http://a.co/faa0eTv Salvia Divinorum: Doorway to Thought-Free Awareness It is a one day read. He used s. divinorum for 10 years and recorded his most enlightening experiences.

I could not agree more in regards to waiting based on how profound your trip was. The more profound the trip, the longer you should wait before taking the next. Almost ten years ago, I took mushrooms. I spoke to loved ones who had passed and was able to properly say my goodbyes. Since, I have hesitated to experiment with any psychedelics. My journey was so moving. Could anything ever compare? It was beautiful and still brings tears to my eyes. I have magic mushrooms to thank for giving me the closure I so desperately needed.

In my years of experience I’m in my 70’s now since the 1970’s through 2005 many every weekend for 5 years straight with my partner starting Saturday after work (a career person known worldwide as a professional) we stayed in set up things in advance, music, movies, food, champagne, chocolates, fruit, plenty water, dim lights, even a little pot to mellow out take the edge off for a bit, but always intense intimacy!

Rested Sunday, sleep, enjoy the pool good food plenty liquids water, juices passion fruit, cheeses, friends, etc Enjoyed our tactile experience, ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL!

Know your partner!

Yes, agreed you MUST have a good source for the drug as it may.

I’ve taken peyote, ayahuasca and 5 Meo DMT at several occasions. Maybe you to be surprised about my question, because I ought to have my own response, any case I’d like to know your experiences: ¿does these enteogenic experiences transformed your life? ¿are you a better human being? ¿which are the differences between a ‘normal person’ and a person with ‘enteogenic experience?. Thank you for your answers.

Set and setting was coined by Timothy Leary ya dingus

I took many different forms of LSD starting at the age of 14 continued for 3 years the effects lasted years a kind of what they called ”burnt out ”the lethargic way. I now look back and attribute it to one foot in this realm and the other in the spirit world. I had one bad trip but not of death. My mother caught me sat and observed me and was afraid. I went outside to find my friends and couldn’t it was after midnight summers eve. I hurt my mother is what I concluded friends are gone I surmised her love is all that mattered all I need. And vowed that I was done tripping as it hurt her and me to see her distraught that way. I know I have had a profound intense relationship with my spiritual self from those many years. A mental growth and detachment that has served me through months of solitary confinement on numerous occasions as well as electrocution from a no, let go shock of over ten thousand volts. That was so painful I had to have released DMT from my pineal in order to think during the intense pain. Now I am alone in my way or a rare abnormality materially detached freak. But I never get depressed and can quite any drug like Ativan aka benzodiazepine cold turkey. Even water fast for long periods. How strange and beautifully unique a starseed I have become.

Bought 100 lot sheets from varying sources took one hit on friday after work repeat . starting at 16 till i was 22..all time favorite was ying and yang blotter still vividly remember tripping through huricane andrew watching it spiral off tv accross wall out window ..im 55 now have not tripped for 30 years and still respect and realize the implications of ying and yang in everything .my children are having children and i think its about time to score again ..reset

I’m coming down from my fourth trip with acid. I may have just experienced the first of these said ying and yang implications…or maybe im just tripping 🙂 (probably the latter)

Whats so bad about mixing weed and shrooms? I do this with a beer and I get a nice high off of it.

The reason why it is not advised is because weed makes you forget a lot of the insights you may have gained from your psilocybin experience, which makes integrating the experience more difficult

I have found with microdosing psilocybin (twice a week) and combining with micro (one hit vape pen) and macro doses (bong rips and moderate dose cannabis edibles) enhances the wellness and creativity effects of both plants. My coder friends agree… By the way, Terrence McKenna medicated with cannabis daily.

This is a helpful brief guide, but anyone who is taking psychedelics as a spiritual seeker (only one of many reasons to take them!) will get much more insight about spiritual journeying with psychedelics out of reading the book “The Secret Chief Revealed”. Fadiman’s “Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide” book is good too, but I highly recommend the Secret Chief for spiritual seekers.

Hi i am going test it for first time. Could you please tell about sex under mushrooms? is it possible? I mean if consume a little. My girl and I are expecting to eat it and have sex for a long time. Thank you.

Trying LSD for the first time hopefully in the next two days. Super excited and I have researched almost everything there is to research. Going into it with the goal of trying to answer some personal questions,gain some wonderful new insights, and hopefully change my way of thinking for the better. A lot of sources online have explained time and time again that no one person should go into the experience with the idea of “I’m doing acid for fun, and because I’m bored.” I’m going into this with my best friend of 8 years, and I understand what this drug does, and I from the bottom of my heart respect it. Expect a trip report coming from me in this very comment section under the exact name. 🙂

P.S I’m starting out with 100g for my first LSD experience ever. Have done shrooms before but I figured I can experiment after this, after all I have all the time in the world :)!

The fear driven, alcohol desensitized conservanazi prohibitionists and greedheads that have taken us to endless wars, global warming, overpopulation, species extinction, resource depletion, pollution, poverty and other shit would benefit the most from psychedelics.

>It was coined by Norman Zinberg

Uhm..no it wasn’t. This is facepalm-worthy.

As some know, it is legal to buy the mushrooms, full or powdered in Brazil – which is a crazy fact, since the substance is not so probably due more to plain old stupid bureaucracy.

Anyways, a good website and realiable store (needs to be translated with your browser) is the following: https://www.naturezasana.com.br/

They have high quality products and perhaps they can speak english, so you would be able to get them to send via Fedex or something. I´m don´t think they have an export policy, but maybe they do send international.

Best regards,

Two days ago, i tried acid for the first time, and two of my friend who were with me almost died, and i stayed up all night tweaking it rly fucked me up. It was just so unexpected and turned to a bad trip really fast.

Around a week or so ago I tried licking funny stamps for the first time and… I wound up writing a book…

https://exetheter.net

Well, a short one, but still… one hell of a drug! D:

The sad thing is, I tried it the second day at double the dose (after reading about the tolerance buildup) and… nothing. I just got a very mild, unsatisfying high out of it. So then I tried to wait 2 days and tried a crazy high dose and… nothing.

I figure next I’ll try waiting two weeks and then I’ll try and wait a month. There’s lots of chatter I’ve found regarding waiting long periods to maximize the psychonautic experience, but nothing in the way of clear cut guides, so that’s what I’m hoping to try and figure out.

Really surprised how you didn’t mention Pink Floyd in the music to listen to while tripping! For everyone out there wondering what to listen to and in what order, I recommend listening to some pop culture songs in the first 1 or 2 hours, along with some Queen (very effective to boost your confidence and overall happiness and energy)and Led Zeppelin (or other rock bands, just try to stay on a happy-ish, welcoming note). Then when you start feeling “things” do yourself a favor and put some Pink Floyd. I personally like to begin with Wish You Were Here, then move on to Animals, The Dark Side of The Moon and, if I’m feeling brave then I listen to Meddle (be careful here because ‘Echoes’ the last song of the album is quite powerful, but it is also very very rewarding). Of course everyone has different tastes and preferences but believe me, there isn’t a better guide than Pink Floyd in a psychedelic journey. Even if you are feeling weird somehow because this kind of music is new to you, keep in mind that you have to be trusting and everything will be okay and you will be able to fully enjoy your experience. If anyone has more questions about LSD or psychedelics in general, I’ll be more than happy to answer them. Stay safe guys! ☮️

I love that erowid is still the place to go

It is possible to buy magic mushrooms online now. I recently bought from: getpsilocybin.ca Really amazing that magic mushrooms are somewhat available to Canadians. I’m excited every time I see a new research article on psilocybin. I really hope that the Canadian government moves swiftly to decriminalize/legalize magic mushrooms. The benefits that can be gained from even small doses is just awesome.

Yes Richard is very cool and easy to get some cubes online, in my country also is possible to buy magic mushies online. Recently I bought few grams in a local shop https://kosmickombi.com.br/ and the experience was amazing. I have collected some wild too but not too strong as indoor growed. I hope my country doesnt ban this sacred medicine here.

Set and setting is a very important factor for trips on triptamines and any recreational drugs. I have used these tips on my trip with magic mushrooms from https://kosmickombi.com.br/cogumelos-magicos-comprar and have one of my best trips ever with just 2 grams.

I’m so ready to try DMT. I do believe in the theorputical use of psychedelics. And that was a good story. Am I tripping? You did tell a story didn’t you? About a guy that needed to have search and rescue after taking a psychedelic? He had lost his mind. Yep, I went there.

Excellent information and found it just in time’

So glad to hear that!

I am reachable and forever teachable. There’s alot more factual guidance today than when I started expirementing with psychedelics in 1986. I recall that alot of the times people went into bad trips was because they weren’t in the best mind set and the setting was typically inside, stuffy and cluttered spaces, that exacerbates the anxiety that already exists from the uncertainty of thoughts, that are already apart of the human existential dynamic,that we feel physiologically and in a consistent manner. We should always do mental health check ups before we partake in psychedelic activities. A bad trip can get pretty bad if you aren’t familiar with your surroundings, your friends, one’s mentality/mental health/diagnosis, and one’s intentionality about the outcome of one’s experience and the desires that are driving one to unearth a more comprehensive vision and version of who we want to be and who we want to inspire collectively, as collaborative forces of connection and reconnection, cause this battle of wondering and uncovering can be a somewhat disappointing response for someone that has a real concern to develop a softer approach to ourselves, our feelings, all feelings, and for those times my feelings are unable to/ or stand in refusal for what I have investment for, with being rigid and unbending. This is usually happens in correlation with authority or what could be understood as harm producing situations. And I know my principled self can be harmful and useless when it concerns accumulating insight and promoting change in how I calculate challenges in my own life and the meaning behind their arrival. And having an injurious PTSD diagnosis with chronic symptoms does not help me with my healing and learning adventurous affection. I know my biggest vice Interrupting my capacity to heal more consistently is my struggle with procrastination and consistency. If I can get a consistent body doubler I’d be killing this thing called healing from the killing.

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Behold, The Perfect Playlist For An Acid Trip

As research continues to prove LSD’s (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) therapeutic viability , studies continue to pour in exploring the effects of certain stimuli and how they can affect the psychedelic experience.

Mendel Kaelen, a graduate student of neuroscience at Imperial College, has been focusing on how music in particular interacts with the brain on LSD. In his effort to stay true to the scientific method while incorporating music into psychedelic therapy, Kaelen has stumbled upon the formula for the perfect LSD soundtrack.

In a pilot study published last year, Kaelen and his peers returned to a classic theme of the ’50s and ’60s, “Do psychedelics enhance the emotional response to music?”

“If music is too familiar, it can reduce the ability to have a new experience, because you already had an experience with that song before in your life.”

In the study, five instrumental tracks were played to ten volunteers on two different occasions, one of which they were administered a placebo, and the other, LSD.

Ambient and neo-classical tracks proved to be the most effective at eliciting emotional response, namely by artists Greg Haines , Brian McBride , Ólafur Arnalds , Arve Henriksen .

Essentially, due to the challenging environment of an MRI scanner, especially for someone on an acid trip, Kaelen leaned towards more uplifting and positive sounds like that of Robert Rich .

As for the structure of the playlist, it’s not a constant. People are naturally nervous before the drug takes effect, so calming and reassuring sounds are at the onset. Approaching the peak, music turns more rhythmic, and during the peak, music straddles different emotional intensities according to Kaelen’s “pendulum effect.” Additionally, Kaelen produces his own experimental electronic music, so he has the ability to mix and adapt the spacing and volume of the playlist to suit the design of the study’s experience.

https://youtu.be/5L9V4t4YPnY

“People started to realize that it’s not the drug itself that provides a therapeutic effect; it’s the experience that the drug is able to produce in interaction with the therapist, with the environment, that has that potential.”

It’s seriously worth it to check out Motherboard’s original article. If you’ve made it this far, I guarantee you’ll find it fascinating.

H/T Motherboard ,  Dancing Astronaut

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The 20 best songs about LSD

Taking you on a trip through the greatest tracks inspired by acid

• Mixmag crew
• 10 August 2022

Since the good ol' days of Woodstock and the Summer of Love , Lysergic acid diethylamide ( LSD ) has provided inspiration for many curious artists wanting to explore the hidden depths of their own minds.

Despite only having been synthesised in 1943 , the substance swiftly became a symbol of world counter-culture, from The Beatles' psychedelia through to acid house and the heyday of the 90s rave to Harry Styles' blissed-out mainstream pop. Whole subgenres—psychedelic rock, psytrance, acid house— are inspired by drugs that alter consciousness and LSD can improve music perception and trigger synaesthetic reactions — which cause people to see sounds as colours, patterns, or objects. LSD has infiltrated our culture's musical awareness and brought with it a great wealth of trippy bangers to serve as the soundtrack to your exploration into uncharted terrain.

So whether you're just out to trip balls, or you've come here for “The Message,” — let us take you on a bewildering journey through some of the best music about LSD.

Read this next: 30 best songs about cocaine

Ecstasy Club ‘Jesus Loves The Acid’

A classic of its time, this belter released in 1988 is quite simply not one to listen to while tripping on acid, despite what the title suggests. With screeching synths, wobbly 303s, and a sample of Pope John Paul II’s 1979 speech in Ireland kicking things off, this acid house number could send anyone into overdrive on the dancefloor, and the "ACID!" chants toward the end really help to top it off. Jesus most definitely loves the acid.

Aphex Twin 'Lisbon Acid’

From his 2005-released record ‘ Analord 07 ’, Aphex Twin ’s glitchy acid techno-inspired track ‘ Lisbon Acid ’ might not make direct remarks about the drug, but the producer certainly has a history with his hallucinogens. Starting out on the free party scene as acid house first emerged in the UK, Aphex Twin signed his first track while tripping on the drug: “[Mighty Force Records] made me sign the contract when I was off my face. I was tripping and they're waving this money and a pen at me,” he recounted. “I think if he had not done that trip that night there may have never been any Aphex Twin,” his friend said.

2 Boasters, A Digestive & A Jammy Dodger 'We Are About To Take LSD’

“WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE LSD!” announces the opening vocals of this chaotic and slightly alarming track by 2 Boasters, A Digestive & A Jammy Dodger . Released in 1991 as part of a three-track EP alongside the comically named ‘Oh Crumbs’, this hardcore breakbeat number certainly doesn’t leave any hints on its backstory. The vocal sample runs on repeat throughout the entire five-minute tune, only pausing to drop into even heavier breaks.

Jockstrap ‘Acid’

UK experimental outfit Jockstrap have a more contemporary take on their hallucinogen preferences, this time documenting an unusual acid trip-turned-breakup. “Smash a pretty vase of acid” starts lead singer Georgia Ellery before crashing into unusual synths and orchestral moments lined with more hard-hitting lyrics. The distorted production throws this track askew, fitting for such a drug, but never quite feels too surreal.

Luke Vibert 'I Love Acid’

Complete with Daft Punk -esque robot voices, plainly titled ‘ I Love Acid ’, is likely to stick in your head for a couple of days after first listen. Released by Warp Records in 2003, British producer Luke Vibert declares his undying love for LSD alongside a trippy animation: “I love acid for the way it makes me move - I love acid it’s the sound you can’t improve - I love acid it insights a nasty groove,” repeat the robotic vocals piecing together this curiously French house style track. Vibert’s love for the hallucinogen was no secret, later releasing his 12-track album ‘ Lover’s Acid ’ in 2005 and creating more tunes in the same vein with titles such as ‘ Acid 2000 ’ and ‘ Funky Acid Stuff ’.

Read this next: 10 of the Best Songs Celebrating Ecstasy

1200 micrograms ‘LSD’

A real interdimensional journey, this psytrance track from 1200 micrograms will have you contemplating your steady trip through life. With the line “mind-altering psychedelic trip” playing throughout, this seven-minute song is fast-tempo, high energy and has a mechanical, robotic and space-like quality synonymous with the extra-terrestrial experience of an acid trip. “LSD, possibly the most powerful and important psychedelic drug on the planet” is whispered as the track ends.

D-Mob ‘We call it acieed’

“Acid, the musical phenomenon. Only for the headstrong” — a sample declares over the acid house beat. This is the debut single by British musician D-Mob and in 1989 it reached No. 1 on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart and No. 25 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. Listeners are blessed with blaring synths, funky keys, a groovy bassline and the word “acid” ringing through their ears.

Time Tripping ‘Time Tripping’

With double drops of a deep bassline and a rolling drum pattern — this track will go down in drum 'n' bass history. But the repeated lines of “are we time tripping” is highly resemblant to that all-consuming feeling of not knowing where you are or what era you’re in when five hours into your trip. It’s a simple track but it is versatile and has been a favourite for drum 'n' bass club mixes for almost a decade... a great option for when you're two tabs in.

The Beatles ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’

Potentially the most famous track about acid there is. Despite the capitals in the track spelling out "LSD" John Lennon insisted that the titling choice was a mere coincidence . However, The Beatles did admit two weeks after the release of the seminal album in which this song is featured, ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ that the quartet did take acid when writing the album - implying that many of the songs and the colourful imagery which is described in them would have also been inspired under psychedelic influence.

Read this next: We spoke to an ecstasy dealer from the acid house era

A$AP Rocky ‘LSD’

We mean, it’s in the title. 'LSD' is a shaky, slightly ghoulish track about the drug and the love you can — or can't — make while using it. This track depicts Rocky rapping about being high on LSD and the experiences that he has had on it. When asked about the "Baby I'm just rappin' to this LSD" lyric by Billboard magazine, A$AP Rocky replied : "It helps me cope with life. I've been doing this stuff since I got into the industry. People are scared to talk about it."

The song is wistful and has smooth cadence, rhythm and flow, which allows listeners to join Rocky on a trip. It is a soft ballad that allows listeners to see a different side to the famed New York rapper, and gives us a chance to understand how the drug brings out a different side to him. Rocky refers to LSD as “love, sex, dreams” multiple times in the song, reminding listeners of the romantic and pleasurable effects of the lucid drug.

Rejjie Snow ‘ACID TRIP’

Even without the literal references to acid used on this track by applying effects to the piano and Rejjie’s vocals a floating feeling is undeniable. When listening to ‘ACID TRIP’ it’s airy echoing sounds and electronic synths transport you to a utopia. Lyrics include, "Took a little bit of acid, mum, I'm sorry", and the chorus "I feel like we on acid when we kiss" repeats so much it could be hypnotising you into a world of LSD.

Brockhampton ‘TRIP’

All seems well when you first start listening to ‘ TRIP ’ however as soon as the lyric, “this is our fantasy,” is rapped it’s as if the tab has finally hit your tongue. The lyric “flying on my rocket ship, I’m on an acid trip” isn’t as subtle of a hint.

Jefferson Airplane ‘White Rabbit’

This is a pretty self-explanatory choice if you’ve heard this classic but if you haven’t here you go. You’d think that the use of the ‘white’ in the title is referring to cocaine however, instead the name is referencing the white rabbit character within Lewis Carrol’s psychedelic tale of Alice in Wonderland . It’s release in 1967 at the height of LSD saw Jefferson Airplane become a pioneering psychedelic rock band. It’s said that Paul Kantner, singer, guitarist from Jefferson Airplane wrote the song after taking LSD and listening to Miles Davis’ album ‘ Sketches Of Spain ’ for 24 hours. The song is now commonly associated with mind-altering film The Matrix as well as its feature in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas .

Read this next: "Tripping revived me": Students are using LSD and magic mushrooms to get through lockdown

David Bowie ‘Space Oddity’

An obvious one but also a classic, ‘Space Oddity’ is the ultimate LSD-themed track. Released in 1969 this was Bowie’s first introduction to the astronaut persona Major Tom who later features on other tracks including ‘Ashes to Ashes’ where he is referred to as a “junkie”. A gentle track of Bowie’s soft vocals and acoustic vocals, the layering of instruments adds a bewitching atmosphere. Lyrics follow Major Tom’s departure and trip into space getting higher and higher until he spins around stuck in space. "Here am I floating 'round my tin can, far above the moon. Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do."

The Prodigy ‘Out Of Space’

A banger to say the least, this song really does take “your brain to another dimension”. Built for tripping, 'Out Of Space' features acid house breaks and a sample of the 1976 song ‘ Chase the Devil ’. Not only is the track hallucinatory but the music video is extremely vibrant and colourful and features them raving in industrial wear — oh, and lots of ostriches.

The Beatles ‘I am the Walrus’

This song is notoriously known for being heavily inspired by tripping, with Lennon penning the majority of the song while under the influence of LSD. During one trip, he heard the two-note pattern of a passing police siren. The sound became the first few notes of 'I Am The Walrus'. They're even echoed in the verse's two-note pattern. The line “See how they run like pigs from a gun”, emerged during another narcotics-fuelled music session.

Lyra Pramuk & Eris Drew 'Everything is Beautiful & Alive'

As part of the 'Delta' remix compilation of Pramuk's 2020 album ' Fountain ', 'Everything is Beautiful & Alive' isn't your traditional rework. Eris Drew instead of choosing "a track" to remix instead took vocal samples from the entire album and weaved them into a singular narrative — a deeply personal collaboration that referenced the two artists' friendship across time and space during the pandemic, with Lyra living in Berlin and Eris in New Hampshire. Eris is never shy to share her love of hallucinogenics within her music — regularly using acid and magic mushrooms in her creative process, and the track's reference to psychedelics comes via a vocal sample . "Everything is beautiful and alive" a soft female voice declares over the trippy beat, taken from an old news report of a young woman on acid, explaining how wonderful she feels to a suited-up male square.

Jhené Aiko 'LSD'

Jhené Aiko's ' LSD ' is the first track from her 2017 concept album ' Trip '. The whole record is in reference to the US R&B starlet's journey into psychedelics and healing following the death of her brother to cancer in 2012 — telling the story of journeys into the self through a dreamy, trippy lens. 'LSD' tells the story of her first acid trip during a car drive to the rugged Big Sur coastal stretch in California. Perhaps the most prolific description of her experience in the track comes from the last three lines: "Took a tiny piece of paper and put it under my tongue. This white guy said it'd be fun, and it was, but. What I saw, Oh my God, Oh my God."

Hallucinogen 'L.S.D' (Paul Oakenfold remix)

It doesn't get much more psychedelic and transcendental than Hallucinogen's 1995 track 'L.S.D'. Grinding drums, squelching chimes and trippy acid basslines make up this classic Goa trance banger. The track contains a vocal sample taken from the 1986 BBC documentary The Rise and Fall of LSD , which controversially showed British viewers footage of participants in an LSD study describing their experiences. Wanna kick the trip up a notch? The master of trance himself Paul Oakenfold remixed the track back in 2011 adding in even more big bass and synth siren calls.

Read this next: Why acid house is the last thing I want to listen to when I'm on acid

Chance the Rapper 'Acid Rain'

Though much of Chance's 2013 mixtape ' Acid Rap ' references his use of LSD, telling MTV MTV around the time of release: "[There] was a lot of acid involved in 'Acid Rap'. I mean, it wasn't too much — I'd say it was about 30 to 40% acid... more so 30% acid." The only track which gives a narrative of an acid trip is 'Acid Rain', which tells the story of Chance, real name Chancellor Bennet, going outside in New York while on a particularly intense dose of the drug. Throughout the song he comes to realisations about his life: whether it's about getting picked for sports in high school, his relationship with fellow rappers or his belief in god. His central point can be seen in the line "damn that acid burn when it clean ya" — alluding to an acid trip needed to be painful and challenging to reward him with the clarity he was looking for.

LCD Soundsystem 'American Dream'

Perhaps one of the more morose descriptions of an acid trip on this list. The title track from LCD Soundsystem's 2017 record ' American Dream ' describes the story of the morning after a regrettable bender. Remembering not a moment of clarity or self-discovery, instead, the lyrics pertain to feelings of fear and discomfort: "You took acid and looked in the mirror. Watched the beard crawl around on your face." The track itself maintains a dream-like psychedelic quality while remaining eerie and unsettling. Sometimes you have a bad trip, you know?

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Top 20 LSD Songs

Hallucinogenic drugs have been around for centuries, but the mid-'60s brought a new wave of experimentation as counterculture movements spread across the world.

In San Francisco, the Grateful Dead enlightened audiences as they joined forces with Ken Kesey and his famous Acid Tests. "The first time I dropped acid was on Jerry [Garcia] 's birthday in 1965," Dead guitarist Bob Weir later told Jas Obrecht . "Even then, the inner quest was what it was about for us."

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the Beatles were exploring their own limits of reality with acid. "There's something disturbing about it," Paul McCartney said in Many Years From Now . "You ask yourself, 'How do you come back from it? How do you then lead a normal life after that?' And the answer is, you don't."

These otherworldly experiences often got the creative juices flowing. We're taking a look at the Top 20 LSD songs below. Turn on, tune in and drop out.

20. Tom Petty , "Girl on LSD" From: B-Side Single (1994)

Tom Petty's "Girl on LSD" was a jaunty tongue-in-cheek tune that ran the gamut of drugs — some legal, some not — from marijuana to meth, cocaine to caffeinated coffee. There's a whole verse for acid, too. " I was in love with a girl on LSD / She'd see things I'd never see ," Petty sang. " She broadened her perspective / Then I got more selective / I was in love with a girl on LSD ." (Allison Rapp)

19. The Grateful Dead , "Alice. D. Millionaire" From: The Grateful Dead expanded reissue (2001)

There is no band more closely associated with LSD than the Grateful Dead. When the group first got involved with Ken Kesey's Acid Tests, they weren't concerned about landing a record deal or becoming international stars. "We didn't really care whether we went somewhere specifically," Jerry Garcia said in 1988 . "We mostly wanted to have fun, and when we fell in with the acid tests we started having the most fun we'd ever had ever." It was around this time that the band penned "Alice D. Millionaire," a song based on the headline of a San Francisco Chronicle article that announced the bust of casual LSD chemist and Dead sound engineer Owsley Stanley: "LSD Millionaire Arrested." (Rapp)

18. The Beatles , "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" From: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

With its trippy sounds, colorful imagery and experimental recording techniques, you could easily argue every song from the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album deserves a spot on this list. The title track gets specific attention because of its backstory. Paul McCartney had continually turned down John Lennon and George Harrison ’s attempts to get him to try LSD. When he finally relented, McCartney’s mind opened to broader possibilities of what the Beatles could be. The mindset later helped him concoct the idea of an alter-ego for the group. (Corey Irwin)

17. Talking Heads , "And She Was" From: Little Creatures (1985)

The Little Creatures album was a milestone moment, with David Byrne bringing in song demos of his ideas for the first time. The origins of “And She Was” were just as warped as the sonic framework of the Talking Heads track itself, which sounded altered. As Byrne later detailed in liner notes for the Once in a Lifetime box set, “And She Was” was inspired by a girl he knew in Baltimore. “She once told me that she used to do acid and lay down on the field by the Yoo-hoo chocolate soda factory,” he wrote. Flying out of her body, he mused, “seemed like such a tacky kind of transcendence – but it was real!” (Matt Wardlaw)

16. The Beach Boys , "California Girls" From: Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) (1965)

Anyone surprised to see this wholesome summer classic on our list is probably unfamiliar with the creation of “California Girls.” Music for the Beach Boys’ hit was written by Brian Wilson after his first LSD trip. The experience didn’t go well for Wilson, who reportedly saw images of his parents and was stricken by fear. But when he walked over to his piano, something else came to mind. “I was thinking about the music from cowboy movies,” he told the Los Angeles Times , “and I sat down and started playing it, bum-buhdeeda, bum-buhdeeda . I did that for about an hour. I got these chords going. Then I got this melody, it came pretty fast after that.” (Irwin)

15. The Beatles, "I Want to Tell You" From: Revolver (1966)

George Harrison was never shy about his LSD use. He once described the first time he took the drug as “like gaining hundreds of years of experience in 12 hours,” and later credited LSD for bringing him to a “whole other consciousness.” “I Want to Tell You” was inspired by the psychedelic’s ability to open someone’s mind. In his autobiography, Harrison noted that the lyrics were the result of “the avalanche of thoughts that are so hard to write down or say or transmit” while taking the drug. (Irwin)

14. The Guess Who , "Undun" From: Canned Wheat (1969)

“Undun” sheds light on the dark side of the psychedelic drug boom in sublime detail. Inspired by a lyric in Bob Dylan ’s “Ballad in Plain D” (“ She was easily undone ”), Randy Bachman supposedly wrote the song after seeing a woman fall into a coma after dropping acid at a party. Burton Cummings ’ vocals drip with anguish as he warns against searching for truth in all the wrong places, and his nimble flute solo is the icing on the cake of Bachman’s breezy, melancholy masterpiece. (Bryan Rolli)

13. The Beatles, "It's All Too Much" From: Yellow Submarine (1969)

George Harrison penned “It’s All Too Much” during the Summer of Love, fusing his experiences on LSD with Indian musical influences. “‘It’s All Too Much’ was written in a childlike manner from realizations that appeared during and after some LSD experiences and which were later confirmed in meditation,” he later explained . “I just wanted to write a rock ‘n’ roll song about the whole psychedelic thing of the time – because you’d trip out, you see, on all this stuff and then whoops! You’d just be back having your evening cup of tea!” “It’s All Too Much” was recorded after the Beatles completed Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and instead appeared on the soundtrack to Yellow Submarine . (Irwin)

12. The Beatles, "I Am the Walrus" From: Magical Mystery Tour (1967)

After learning that literature classes at his former high school were dedicated to high-level analysis of his lyrics, John Lennon decided to thwart their scholarly pursuits by combining three unrelated lyrical fragments into a deliberately incomprehensible stew. Two LSD trips helped him further muddy the waters. "The first line was written on one acid trip one weekend. The second line was written on the next acid trip the next weekend, and it was filled in after I met Yoko [Ono ]," Lennon told Playboy in 1980. His former Quarrymen bandmate Pete Shotten helped by recalling the "yellow matter custard / dead dog's eye" sections from a nursery rhyme the pair used to sing at the playground. Beatles biographer Hunter Davies was present for this joint songwriting session, and recalled Lennon's satisfaction with the results in the 1968 book The Beatles: "Let the fuckers work that one out, Pete!" (Matthew Wilkening)

11. The Rolling Stones , "Jumping Jack Flash" From: 1968 Single

Unlike a number of songs on this list, the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" is actually about trying to distance oneself from LSD. They'd just released Their Satanic Majesties Request , an acid-infused album often compared to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band . "I think we were just taking too much acid," Mick Jagger told Rolling Stone in 1995. "We were just getting carried away, just thinking anything you did was fun and everyone should listen to it." "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was an attempt to get back to grittier rock 'n' roll. "It's about having a hard time and getting out," Jagger added. "Just a metaphor for getting out of all the acid things." (Rapp)

10. The 13th Floor Elevators , "Roller Coaster" From: The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966)

If there was a group that was profoundly driven by LSD, it was the 13th Floor Elevators. Producer Bill Bentley and future ZZ Top mastermind Billy Gibbons went to see the Austin, Texas, band frequently as teens. Bentley said their songs went “ beyond music ,” mostly “because they were on LSD almost every time they played.” Meanwhile, the 13th Floor Elevators inspired Gibbons to form his group, the Moving Sidewalks . “Elevators go up, sidewalks move forward, so it was a match made in heaven,” he later told ABC Audio . “Roller Coaster” demonstrates the intriguing nature of the 13th Floor Elevators’s approach to song structure, with staccato instrumental patterns rising and falling throughout the tune, just like your favorite carnival ride. (Wilkening)

9. Strawberry Alarm Clock, "Incense and Peppermints" From: Incense and Peppermints (1967)

The members of Strawberry Alarm Clock disliked the lyrics to "Incense and Peppermints" so much that they had a friend sing it instead. The song went to No. 1 and became a central part of 1967's Summer of Love scene. The California band – which included future Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King – had been around only a short time when 16-year-old Greg Munford stepped behind the mic for their only Top 10 hit. Over the years, "Incense and Peppermints" has turned into a musical shorthand for all things trippy and druggy from the era (see: Austin Powers : International Man of Mystery ). (Michael Gallucci)

8. The Who , "The Acid Queen" From: Tommy (1969)

Pete Townshend has previously explained that "The Acid Queen" is less about the physical drug itself, and more about how society tends to force indulgence and excess onto ordinary people, even when they aren't interested in it. " Gather your wits and hold them fast ," Townshend sings, " your mind must learn to roam ." "The Acid Queen" arrives at the point in Tommy when the main character is prodded to partake in the drug, with the hope that it will cure his ailments. It's followed by "Underture," a 10-minute long instrumental that illustrates Tommy's visions and hallucinations. (Rapp)

7. Funkadelic , "Maggot Brain" From: Maggot Brain (1971)

Guitarist Eddie Hazel’s work on “Maggot Brain” plays out like he was in the midst of the saddest day of his life when he was recording it. The mournful tone of his solo was no accident. George Clinton told Hazel “to play like his mother had died, to picture that day, what he would feel.” As Clinton recalled in his memoir, they were both tripping on acid and his coaching – though extreme – worked like a charm. Hazel’s solo anchored the finished song, which became the title track to Funkadelic’s third album. But more than that, it provided an important moment in Clinton’s view: “It was maybe the first time our emotional ability as artists matched our technical ability as players.” (Wardlaw)

6. Pink Floyd , "Astronomy Domine" From: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

When you get right down to it, Pink Floyd's 1967 debut is basically a 42-minute-long acid trip. Its opening track sets the tone: spaced-out sounds woven between Syd Barrett and Richard Wright 's intertwined vocals with pulsating beeps somewhere between a heartbeat and extraterrestrial contact: " Lime and limpid green, a second scene now fights between the blue you once knew ." It's the birth of space rock, even if that space is mostly in your head. "Astronomy Domine" would gain even more heft onstage over the years, as the song doubled in size when Pink Floyd took it on more expansive trips. (Gallucci)

5. The Doors , "The End" From: The Doors (1967)

The Doors had already been performing "The End," an epic song complete with an Oedipal poem in the middle of it, at live shows before they went to record it. To help summon the necessary energy, Jim Morrison dropped acid and the band only did two takes of the track. The recording session might have ended there, but Morrison's trip was only just beginning. "The rest of us left," guitarist Robby Krieger told Rolling Stone , "but he snuck back into the studio and got pissed off that there was no one else around, so he sprayed the place down with a foaming fire extinguisher." (Rapp)

4. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, "Purple Haze" From: 1967 Single

Jimi Hendrix cited Philip Jose Farmer’s 1966 science-fiction novel Night of Light (in which a faraway planet is engulfed in a reality-altering “purplish haze” every seven years) as the inspiration for this song, claiming he had a dream where he was enveloped in a similar plume and escaped through his faith in Jesus. (An early draft including the phrase “Purple Haze – Jesus Saves” was nixed.) Yet even if the single has nothing to do with LSD, it became a defining song of the psychedelic era thanks to its brain-scrambling lyrics and incendiary six-string racket. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better aural equivalent of a bad trip than the dissonant, tritonal interval used in the legendary opening riff from “Purple Haze.” (Rolli)

3. The Beatles, "She Said She Said" From: Revolver (1966)

Actor Peter Fonda got himself ejected from an acid-tripping party with the Beatles and the Byrds for committing the cardinal sin of being uncool. George Harrison was convinced he was dying, and Fonda thought it appropriate to comfort him by recounting the story of his self-inflicted childhood gunshot wound, repeatedly telling Harrison, “I know what it’s like to be dead.” John Lennon finally demanded he cut it out, asking Fonda, “Who put all that shit in your head?” He later claimed the actor was “making me feel like I've never been born.” If the incident was traumatic, it at least birthed one of the Beatles’ most inventive songs to date, full of scalding guitar riffs and rapidly shifting time signatures that evoke the creative chaos of that fateful party. (Rolli)

2. Jefferson Airplane , "White Rabbit" From: Surrealistic Pillow (1967)

Grace Slick wrote a wonderfully warped version of a classic children's story after spending 24 straight hours listening to Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain while on LSD. "White Rabbit" was meant to be a rebuke to parents who read their offspring thinly-veiled stories about drug trips, then get surprised when those children grew up and experimented with psychedelics. "In all those stories, you take some kind of chemical and have a great adventure,” she explained. “ Alice In Wonderland is blatant. Eat me! She gets literally high, too big for the room.” Slick later told the Wall Street Journal that the song wasn't strictly about drugs: "It's about following your curiosity." Still, she admitted some regret about Jefferson Airplane's role in popularizing psychedelics. "LSD was new then. It opened up our heads and gave us new insight into the fact that reality isn't just one thing. That excited us. But it's also terrifying if your head isn't in the right place. So in hindsight, our advocating for LSD was kind of dangerous." (Wilkening)

1. The Beatles, "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" From: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

John Lennon had repeatedly denied that "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" has anything to do with LSD, even though most of the words in the song's title spell it out right there. The song was supposedly inspired by a painting of a classmate done by his young son Julian Lennon . Either way, it's the trippiest track found on  Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band , an album that arrived at the start of the Summer of Love and a cornerstone record of acid-popping hippies. Lennon waved away the fanciful imagery (" tangerine trees and marmalade skies ") as an influence of Alice in Wonderland , an obsession at the time. Maybe he was telling the truth, but that hasn't stopped fans from bending it elsewhere. (Gallucci)

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Artists on the Edge: 20 Visionaries and Their Psychedelic Odyssey

Posted: April 23, 2024 | Last updated: April 23, 2024

Miley Cyrus

Get ready to embark on a mind-bending journey through the psychedelic realm of artistry. In this captivating slideshow gallery, we delve into the visionary works of renowned artists who dared to explore the depths of creativity through the lens of psychedelics. From the iconic melodies of The Beatles to the kaleidoscopic visions of Kacey Musgraves, and the gonzo prose of Hunter S. Thompson, we traverse through a landscape where artistic expression knows no bounds. Join us as we uncover the colorful tapestry woven by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beach Boys, and Miley Cyrus, each leaving an indelible mark on the canvas of psychedelic art. Get ready to expand your mind and awaken your senses as we celebrate the boundless creativity fueled by the exploration of altered states of consciousness.

Miley Cyrus, the multi-talented singer, songwriter, and actress, has openly discussed her experiences with psychedelics, particularly LSD. In interviews, Cyrus has shared how psychedelics have influenced her creativity and outlook on life, describing them as transformative and eye-opening experiences. While she has been candid about her experimentation with psychedelics, Cyrus emphasizes the importance of responsible use and acknowledges the potential risks associated with these substances. Despite controversies surrounding her public persona, Cyrus continues to explore themes of self-discovery, spirituality, and personal growth in her music and art, inviting audiences to embrace authenticity and embrace the journey of self-exploration.

The Beatles

The Beatles' transformative journey into psychedelia, particularly their exploration of LSD, reshaped not only their music but also their spiritual and interpersonal dynamics. Lennon and Harrison's inadvertent introduction to LSD, followed by profound spiritual experiences, marked a turning point in their creative evolution. McCartney, too, found enlightenment through LSD, describing it as a revelation that dissolved barriers and expanded perceptions. Their shared psychedelic odyssey deepened their bond, transcending age and physicality to forge a harmonious connection rooted in spiritual unity. Through LSD, The Beatles not only created some of the most iconic music of all time but also delved into the depths of human consciousness, leaving an enduring legacy of artistic innovation and spiritual exploration.

Harry Styles

In a candid Rolling Stone profile , Harry Styles unveiled the psychedelic influences behind his latest album, Fine Line . Inspired by the ethereal sounds of Fleetwood Mac, the 25-year-old artist delved into the world of magic mushrooms during his time at Shangri-La Studios in Los Angeles. Immersed in the studio's sunny ambiance, Styles confessed to indulging in mushrooms while basking in the melodies of Paul McCartney's Ram . These experiences became pivotal in shaping the dreamy, introspective atmosphere of Fine Line .

Ray Charles

Ray Charles, the pioneering soul musician, once likened LSD to his "eyes," granting him a form of vision despite his blindness. Though grappling with addiction, Charles eventually found sobriety. Yet, his music retained echoes of his psychedelic experiences, revealing glimpses into the depths of his subconscious explorations. While it's rare for blind individuals to experience visual hallucinations under the influence of LSD, studies suggest the brain's plasticity can translate auditory or tactile sensations into visual perceptions during a trip. Charles' musical journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of psychedelia, where sound and sensation intertwine to create a soul-stirring symphony of the mind.

The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys' journey into psychedelia was both a creative revelation and a tragic descent, particularly for mastermind Brian Wilson. Wilson's experimentation with psychedelics, notably LSD, ignited a burst of creativity that birthed iconic tracks like "California Girls." However, the euphoria was short-lived, as Wilson soon found himself grappling with auditory hallucinations and symptoms of schizophrenia. Despite discontinuing LSD use, the haunting echoes persisted, leading to a diagnosis of the disease. Wilson's lament over his LSD-induced struggles underscores the dark side of psychedelic exploration. Yet, amidst the turmoil, the band produced masterpieces like "Pet Sounds," a groundbreaking album that influenced generations of "acid-pop copycats." The dichotomy of inspiration and tragedy in The Beach Boys' psychedelic saga serves as a cautionary tale of the perilous depths and soaring heights of artistic exploration.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix, the iconic guitar virtuoso, left an indelible mark on music history with his electrifying performances and groundbreaking sound. While Hendrix's experimentation with LSD is well-documented, it was his ability to channel the psychedelic experience into his music that truly set him apart. From his blistering guitar solos to his innovative use of effects, Hendrix's sonic explorations mirrored the mind-bending effects of LSD, captivating audiences with a kaleidoscope of sound and emotion. Tracks like "Purple Haze" and "Are You Experienced?" stand as anthems of the psychedelic era, reflecting Hendrix's mastery of both his instrument and the transcendent possibilities of consciousness-altering substances. Beyond the music, Hendrix's persona embodied the free-spirited ethos of the 1960s counterculture, inspiring generations of artists to embrace experimentation and push the boundaries of artistic expression.

Kacey Musgraves

In the dreamy ballad "Slow Burn," Kacey Musgraves blends the twang of country with the whimsy of singer-songwriter storytelling, all while nodding to the influence of an acid trip. Recalling the genesis of the song, Musgraves paints a picture of tranquility, sitting on her porch under the stars, where inspiration struck like a gentle breeze. Penning down her thoughts that evening, she captured the essence of her psychedelic experience, infusing the melody with a sense of otherworldly enchantment. Musgraves doesn't shy away from acknowledging the role of LSD in her creative process, highlighting its ability to expand the mind and spark unconventional insights. This sentiment echoes in her song "Oh What A World," where she muses about the transformative power of nature and consciousness.

Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter S. Thompson, the legendary journalist and author, is synonymous with gonzo journalism and the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s. Thompson's iconic work, including "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," captured the zeitgeist of his era with its blend of wild experimentation, drug-fueled escapades, and scathing social commentary. LSD played a significant role in Thompson's life and work, serving as both a source of inspiration and a tool for self-exploration. Embracing the ethos of "gonzo" journalism, Thompson immersed himself in his stories, often under the influence of psychedelics, to provide readers with an unfiltered and visceral experience of the events he covered. While his turbulent relationship with drugs and alcohol is well-documented, Thompson's legacy as a fearless and unapologetic voice of dissent endures, inspiring generations to challenge authority and seek truth in the midst of chaos.

Alex Grey, a visionary artist renowned for his mind-expanding canvases, invites viewers into a realm where body, mind, and spirit converge. Through his art, Grey unveils the interconnectedness of the human experience, drawing inspiration from his mystical journeys facilitated by LSD. Alongside his wife, Allyson Rymland Grey, he co-founded the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM), an "Art Church" dedicated to sharing their transcendent worldview with the world. Grey's iconic "Sacred Mirrors" series has garnered acclaim among healers and the global psychedelic community alike, gracing album covers for esteemed bands like TOOL and Nirvana. His profound exploration of consciousness continues to captivate audiences, bridging the gap between art and spirituality in profound ways.

Chance the Rapper

Chance the Rapper, a prominent figure in contemporary hip-hop, openly discusses his past experimentation with psychedelics, particularly LSD, which notably influenced his album "Acid Rap." In a 2013 interview with MTV , Chance admitted, "[There] was a lot of acid involved in Acid Rap," estimating that about 30 to 40 percent of the album's creation was influenced by the psychedelic substance. Despite his acknowledgment of LSD's role, Chance emphasizes responsible use and the potential risks associated with psychedelics. Nevertheless, his music often reflects themes of introspection, spirituality, and personal growth, suggesting that his psychedelic encounters have shaped his creative journey.

But the album wasn't merely about acid; like much of the best psychedelic music, it was more about the imagery and symbolism associated with the drug than the actual drug itself. He explained:

It wasn't the biggest component at all. It was something that I was really interested in for a long time during the making of the tape, but it's not necessarily a huge faction at all. It was more so just a booster, a bit of fuel. It's an allegory to acid, more so than just a tape about acid.

Henri Michaux

Henri Michaux, the renowned Belgian-born French poet and painter, was an avid explorer of consciousness-altering substances, including mescaline and LSD. His experimentation with these substances profoundly influenced his artistic output, leading to works, such as Major Ordeals of the Mind and the Countless Minor Ones (1974), that explored the boundaries of perception and the inner workings of the mind. Michaux's writings often delve into the surreal and the hallucinatory, capturing the kaleidoscopic visions and insights that arose from his drug-induced experiences. Despite the controversy surrounding his drug use, Michaux's work remains celebrated for its raw honesty and its fearless exploration of the human psyche. Through his writings and art, Michaux invites audiences to embark on a journey of introspection and self-discovery, transcending the confines of conventional reality to explore the vast and mysterious realms of the subconscious.

The Flaming Lips

The Flaming Lips, known for their psychedelic soundscapes and unconventional creativity, have often been associated with LSD experimentation, particularly evident in their album "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots." Lead singer Wayne Coyne's rumored LSD exploration is reflected in the album's cover featuring the number 25, a nod to LSD-25, and their lyrical references to the substance. Their musical journey further extends with albums like "Finally, the Punk Rockers Are Taking Acid," showcasing a playful embrace of LSD culture. Recently, Coyne collaborated with fellow LSD enthusiast Miley Cyrus on a short film inspired by the psychedelic experience, further solidifying their affinity for LSD-infused artistry. Through their music and collaborations, The Flaming Lips continue to push boundaries and explore the expansive realms of psychedelic expression.

John Coltrane

In the autumn of 1965, John Coltrane embarked on a daring musical experiment, barricading himself in a studio to create what some historians deem the nadir of his career. "Om," an enigmatic album steeped in the influence of LSD, stands as a surreal fusion of jazz with the Bhagavad-Gita and the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Drawing inspiration from Hindu spiritual chants known as bhaktis, Coltrane crafted a sprawling, 29-minute opus that defies categorization—a sonic assault on the senses that has divided critics and historians alike. Many believe that "Om" was barely recognizable as his own work due to Coltrane's alleged use of LSD during its creation, adding another layer of intrigue to an already enigmatic album.

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton, the iconic guitarist, grappled with drug abuse throughout his career. During his time with Cream, Eric Clapton was deeply entrenched in the psychedelic culture of the 1960s, particularly during their performances in San Francisco, the hub of the American drug subculture. Clapton, along with his bandmates, indulged heavily in hallucinogenic drugs, with LSD being a prevalent choice. Their gigs at venues like the Fillmore Stadium provided fertile ground for musical exploration, as the band was granted unprecedented freedom to stretch their improvisational prowess to new heights. Surrounded by an audience also under the influence, Cream delved into extended jams and musical experimentation, pushing the boundaries of their creativity while navigating altered states of consciousness. However, amidst the musical exploration, Clapton's substance use veered into addiction, marking a tumultuous chapter in his life and career.

Adrian Piper

Adrian Piper, an innovative conceptual artist and philosopher, found herself immersed in the countercultural currents of the 1960s, where experimentation with psychedelics was rife and celebrated. Inspired by the bohemian ethos of figures like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, Piper embraced LSD roughly half a dozen times over six months, seeking to transcend conventional boundaries and delve into the depths of consciousness. It wasn't until after these experiences that Piper felt compelled to translate the profound insights gained into her artwork. Drawing from the kaleidoscopic visions and introspective journeys induced by LSD, Piper created a series of paintings that captured the essence of her transformative exploration. 

Jim Morrison

The Doors' Jim Morrison embarked on a tumultuous journey with LSD, a drug that held sacred significance for him and his bandmates but ultimately contributed to his descent into turmoil and madness. Despite LSD's allure as a visionary tool, Morrison's reckless indulgence in various drugs underscored his inner turmoil and self-destructive tendencies, embodying the archetype of the 1960s rock star—vibrant with poetic visions yet ensnared by addiction and narcissism. The Door's keyboardist, Ray Manzarek's reflections on the sanctity of LSD as a sacrament highlight the contrast between its intended use and Morrison's heedless experimentation. Morrison's tragic narrative serves as a cautionary tale, revealing the dangers of delving too deeply into the recesses of the mind without guidance or restraint, while also acknowledging the profound lessons about interconnectedness gleaned from psychedelic experiences.

Isaac Abrams

Isaac Abrams, a prominent figure in the psychedelic art movement of the 1960s and 1970s, emerged as a leading proponent of the exploration of consciousness through art. Inspired by the burgeoning counterculture of the era, Abrams delved into the world of psychedelics, viewing them as a means to expand perception and unlock new realms of creativity. His artwork, characterized by vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and surreal imagery, reflects the psychedelic experience and the profound insights it can offer. Abrams also opened the Coda Gallery in New York to showcase this new style of art to the world, with the help of psychologist and psychedelic advocate Dr Timothy Leary Abrams' contributions to the psychedelic art scene have left an enduring legacy, inspiring subsequent generations of artists to explore the intersection of art, consciousness, and psychedelia. Through his visionary creations, Abrams invites viewers to embark on a journey of inner exploration and self-discovery, challenging conventional notions of reality and inviting contemplation of the boundless possibilities of the mind.

The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead, synonymous with the psychedelic music scene of the 1960s and 1970s, forged a unique musical legacy that transcended genres and captivated audiences with its improvisational style and eclectic blend of rock, folk, blues, and jazz. Formed in San Francisco in 1965, the band became pioneers of the "acid rock" movement, drawing inspiration from the countercultural ethos of the era and embracing experimentation with mind-altering substances like LSD. The Grateful Dead's legendary live performances, characterized by extended jams and spontaneous improvisations, fostered a sense of community and camaraderie among their devoted fanbase, affectionately known as "Deadheads." While their music undoubtedly reflected the influence of psychedelics, The Grateful Dead's lasting impact transcends drug culture, embodying a spirit of exploration, creativity, and communal celebration that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Pablo Amaringo

Pablo Amaringo, a revered Peruvian artist and shaman, is renowned for his intricate and vibrant paintings inspired by his ayahuasca visions. As a former shaman of the Shipibo-Conibo indigenous people, Amaringo underwent profound spiritual experiences during his ayahuasca ceremonies, which he skillfully translated onto canvas. His artwork depicts intricate Amazonian landscapes, mythical beings, and spiritual realms, offering viewers a glimpse into the storied history of indigenous cosmology and shamanic wisdom. Through his paintings, Amaringo sought to convey the healing power of ayahuasca and the interconnectedness of all life forms, fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and the spiritual dimensions that permeate it. His book  The Ayahuasca Visions of Pablo Amaringo  provides full-color reproductions of his works with detailed explorations of the rich Amazonian mythology underlying each painting. Amaringo's legacy continues to resonate within the psychedelic community, inspiring awe and reverence for the transformative potential of plant medicines and the visionary insights they impart.

Ken Kesey, an iconic figure of the counterculture movement in the 1960s, is best known for his novel "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and his role as a key figure in the psychedelic revolution. Kesey's experiences with LSD and his participation in the infamous "Merry Pranksters" bus tour, chronicled in Tom Wolfe's "The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test," catapulted him into the forefront of the psychedelic movement. Kesey was a graduate student at Stanford University when he volunteered for the government-sponsored  MKULTRA project , which exposed him to several hallucinogenic drugs, including LSD. The author wrote the bulk of his most famous book while under the influence of the powerful drug. Embracing the ethos of "turn on, tune in, drop out," popularized by Timothy Leary, Kesey became a symbol of rebellion against societal norms and a proponent of mind-expanding substances as a means of spiritual exploration. Despite controversy and legal battles surrounding his drug use, Kesey's influence on American literature and the counterculture remains profound, inspiring generations to question authority and embrace alternative ways of thinking.

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LSD: Everything You Need to Know

Read the complete guide to lsd., the complete guide to lsd, by tripsafe.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a common recreational drug. It is also commonly known as acid. LSD is usually consumed on small pieces of paper called blotter.

LSD has been taken by about 25 million Americans at least once, and 1.5 million Americans in the past year, based on 2015 numbers. 1

We do not endorse the acquisition and use of illegal drugs. If you make the choice to use psychedelic drugs, please do your research.

What is a psychedelic?

Psychedelics are drugs that can induce an altered state, perhaps best described as a dreamlike state, for some number of minutes or hours, depending on the specific psychedelic.

Psychedelics have been used by indigenous people for thousands of years.

Intelligent and creative researchers discovered this indigenous use in the 1950s and 1960s and introduced psychedelics to a tight community of psychotherapists and psychiatrists who found that these tools were very useful. 2

Psychedelics then entered the popular culture, and were made illegal.

Psychedelic research is now approaching a renaissance.

Are psychedelics good?

If used with care and expertise, there’s a solid argument that psychedelics can do the world a lot of good.

Now Rick had an opportunity to work within the system, by the system’s rules, to find, or force, common ground around what he believed to be an incontrovertible truth: psychedelics, used with care and expertise, could do people and the world a lot of good. 3

Is acid the same as LSD?

Sort of. Acid is a street name for LSD, and LSD is a chemical compound. Unfortunately, not all substances sold as “acid” or “LSD” contain just the pure LSD compound. Pure acid would contain 100% LSD. We will try to use the term LSD in this guide, instead of acid.

See more at: LSD vs acid.

Is LSD (acid) safe?

LSD is relatively safe if it pure LSD, and if you have a trusted and experienced guide who can prevent any risk of harming yourself or others due to intoxication. 4

“Hallucinogens generally possess relatively low physiological toxicity, and have not been shown to result in organ damage or neuropsychological deficits (Strassman, 1984; Gable, 1993, 2004; Halpern and Pope, 1999; Hasler, et al., 2004; Nichols, 2004; Halpern, et al., 2005).” 5

LSD has been taken by about 25 million Americans at least once, and 1.5 million Americans in the past year, based on 2015 numbers. 1 This 2008 paper noted that “there have been no documented human deaths from an LSD overdose.” 6

“Since the early 1990s, approximately 2000 doses of psilocybin (ranging from low to high doses) have been safely administered to humans in the United States and Europe, in carefully controlled scientific settings, with no reports of any medical or psychiatric serious AEs, including no reported cases of prolonged psychosis or HPPD (Studerus et al., 2011).” 7 Psilocybin is not the same as LSD, though we should expect an extremely similar dosage dependent safety profile.

“This finding is consistent with a US population (2001–2004 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health) based study that found no associations between lifetime use of any of the serotoninergic psychedelics (including psilocybin) and increased rates of mental illness (Krebs and Johansen, 2013).” 7

“The incidence of risky behavior or enduring psychological distress is extremely low when psilocybin is given in laboratory studies to screened, prepared, and supported participants.” 8

“There is no evidence of such potential neurotoxic effects with the prototypical classical hallucinogens (i.e. LSD, mescaline and psilocybin).” 5

“Cohen (1960) reported that only a single case of a psychotic reaction lasting more than 48 hours occurred in 1200 experimental (non-patient) research participants (a rate of 0.8 per 1000). Notably, the individual was an identical twin of a schizophrenic patient and thus would have been excluded under the proposed guidelines.” The key methods to minimize this risk are the medical condition guidlines below. 5

Acid was ranked as the third safest drug by Nutt et al. All drugs can still be harmful under certain circumstances. 4

How can LSD be most beneficial?

What had been clear to Hofmann almost immediately had by this time been observed independently by Osmond and a host of others: for LSD to have the greatest positive effect, subjects needed to take it in a safe, supportive, and aesthetically pleasing environment with a clear idea of what to expect. When difficult issues arose-as they often did-the safe setting and supportive presence of a therapist would allow the subject to process this emotional dynamite, defuse it, and transcend it. 3

Psychedelic usage was associated with improved mental health indicators

“Lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a significantly reduced odds of past month psychological distress (weighted odds ratio (OR)=0.81 (0.72–0.91)), past year suicidal thinking (weighted OR=0.86 (0.78–0.94)), past year suicidal planning (weighted OR=0.71 (0.54–0.94)), and past year suicide attempt (weighted OR=0.64 (0.46–0.89))” 9

The two biggest risks of LSD

• Fake acid: Ingesting what you believe to be pure acid (pure LSD), but is actually something else, particularly NBOMe which has been involved in a few deaths in the last few years 10
• Doing something unsafe during the ~10 hours of being in a decently altered mindstate on the drug. “If someone experiences high anxiety, fear, or paranoia during a psilocybin session, itʼs not hard to imagine them behaving in ways harmful to themselves or others.” 11

What are the effects of LSD (acid)?

This assumes pure acid, i.e. 100% LSD.

Acid feels like “seeing the world for the first time,” with stimulated and profound seeming thoughts, and sort of a dreamlike feeling. 12 Hallucinations also exist, though it would be more accurate to think of them as visual distortions - i.e. seeing extra patterns in the grass, a photo of a waterfall might look like the water is moving when it’s actually not - but don’t think of it as you’ll be seeing green leprechauns that will talk to you.

See the first few images on this page for an accurate depiction of low to moderate acid dosage visual effects.

Read more on the effects of LSD here.

How long does LSD last?

LSD generally lasts ~8-13 hours, 13 though it’s wise to plan for ~16-18 hours.

During and after use

Side effects during use

Possible side effects during use include: anxiety, paranoid thinking, discomfort, temporary moderate increases in blood pressure. 14

Side effects after use

“Cohen (1960) reported that only a single case of a psychotic reaction lasting more than 48 hours occurred in 1200 experimental (non-patient) research participants (a rate of 0.8 per 1000). Notably, the individual was an identical twin of a schizophrenic patient and thus would have been excluded under the proposed guidelines.” 5

If you have close schizophrenic relatives, you should not take LSD. This will be discussed futher in the safety section below.

Read the full page on LSD’s side effects.

Desirable effects during use

Possible desirable effects during use: joy/intense happiness and peace/harmony. 14

Desirable long-term benefits

Users following a specific guided trip protocol experienced a variety of benefits including increased purpose, more energy for work, more initiative, getting more work done, increased self-confidence, marriage satisfaction, and more friends at and outside work. 15 16

Read the rest at the page on LSD’s effects, including positive effects.

“Bad” trips

What is the probability of having a bad trip on lsd.

This depends heavily on the dosage, your mindstate going into the trip, and the environment where you take LSD.

We can approximate from a psilocybin mushroom study:

• At a dosage of 200 micrograms of LSD 17 in a therapeutic clinical environment, we might expect 86% of people to experience some extreme fear, 18 for an LSD-adjusted (increase time to account for longer trip with LSD vs psilocybin) average of around ~22 minutes of strong anxiety 19 , and we might expect around ~65% to report a persisting positive increase in mood from this dosage assuming they had first tried 35 micrograms, then 67, then 133, then 200 18
• At a dosage of 133 micrograms 17 in a therapeutic clinical environment, we might expect 14% of people to experience some extreme fear, 18 for an LSD-adjusted average of around ~4 minutes of strong anxiety 19 , and we might expect around ~60% to report a persisting positive increase in mood from this dosage assuming they had first tried 35 micrograms, then 67, then 133 18
• At a dosage of 67 micrograms 17 in a therapeutic clinical environment, we might expect 0% of people to experience some extreme fear, 18 for an LSD-adjusted average of around ~2 minutes of strong anxiety 19 , and we might expect around ~45% to report a persisting positive increase in mood from this dosage assuming they had first tried 35 micrograms, then 67 18

Bad trips can increase long-term well-being, so call them “challenging trips” instead

Challenging or “bad” acid trips can be most beneficial if they are short, but difficult. 8

“Multiple regression analysis showed degree of difficulty was positively associated, and duration was negatively associated, with enduring increases in well-being.” 8

Are you currently having a bad trip?

See this page .

Medical benefits

“For example, a recent meta-analysis of six randomized clinical trials of treatment for alcoholism conducted between 1966–1970 found that a single dose of LSD [acid] reduced the probability of alcohol misuse almost two-fold relative to comparison conditions (Krebs and Johansen, 2012).” 9 20

There is less medical research into LSD (acid) vs psilocybin (shrooms), because psilocybin is less stigmatized, and psilocybin also has a shorter duration, which is easier for researchers as with psilocybin they can spend more like 8 hours with a participant instead of having to spend ~16 hours with the participant.

Researchers are also interested in studying LSD microdosing, which involves taking around 10 micrograms of LSD, often with the goal of boosting mood or boosting productivity / entering a flow state. See this article for more.

With psilocybin (we would expect similar results for LSD) for cancer-related emotional distress, “83 percent said it [psilocybin + psychotherapy] increased their well-being or life satisfaction moderately or very much, and 89 percent said it lead to moderate, strong, or extreme improvements in their behaviors. Of the 90 total sessions conducted during the study, none were rated as having decreased well-being or life satisfaction.” 11

Watch this video , this video , or this video to get a sense for the therapeutic uses of LSD - these videos are using psilocybin, but they should be useful to anyone evaluating LSD, too.

See our page on Psychedelic Therapy: Beneficial Things To Know.

Psychedelic retreats

While not LSD, magic mushrooms are decently similar in effects and therapeutic potential to LSD.

It is our understanding that magic truffles are legal in the Netherlands, and in Jamaica magic mushrooms are either outright legal or the laws don’t seem to be enforced .

You can find a list of legal psychedelic retreats and legal psychedelic therapy providers on TripSafe here.

How to take LSD (Acid) the TripSafe way 👽

Thank you to Matthew Johnson, Bill Richards, and Roland Griffiths, for all of their work, and particularly their safety research.

These guidelines are designed to maximize the chance of lasting positive benefits, and to minimize the chance of any offputting experience.

Many LSD users are instead seeking to optimize fun instead of lasting positive benefits and safety, in which case some of these guidelines may not apply. For example, if optimizing more for fun and less for safety, a user may prefer not to use a blindfold and headphones, and may choose to drop acid at a festival or in nature instead of in a safe home environment.

We believe the most important tips that should be followed by everyone regardless of their purpose for using acid are:

• Avoid with LSD-dangerous health conditions
• Avoid drugs that interact with LSD
• Have a trusted, sober guide who is experienced in supporting psychedelic sessions
• Respect psychedelics
• Test your LSD

🙋 Safe use is important to avoid adverse reactions

These safe use guidelines are based off research into the clinical and research use of psychedelics.

“Persisting adverse reactions are rare when research is conducted along these guidelines. Incautious research may jeopardize participant safety and future research.” 5

☑️ Safer and more enjoyable usage checklist

• 👨‍⚕️ 1. I have no LSD-dangerous health conditions
• 💉 2. I'm not taking medicines that may interact with LSD
• ⚖ 3. I will start with 30-70 micrograms if I want to maximize positive long-term benefits
• 💯 4. I have purchased an Ehrlich's reagent test kit, or I at least have reviews of my LSD's purity
• 😇 5. I have a trusted, experienced, sober guide who is willing to prepare fully and be with me for 16 hours
• 🏠 6. I'll take it in a safe, pleasant, and familiar environment
• 😄 7. I'm going to wait until I'm in a good mindset and have been for a few weeks
• 📝 8. I've read the "prepare yourself" section
• 🕶 9. I have an eyeshade and headphones
• 🙏 10. I deeply understand why psychedelics should be treated with respect
• 🗓 11. I won't trip again until I feel I'm fully re-adjusted to regular life after my previous trip

We believe the most important tips that should be followed by everyone regardless of their purpose for taking LSD are:

• Avoid with certain health conditions

🚫 Risks to avoid

Serious risks:

• Death or injurity due to ingesting fake LSD (i.e. not pure LSD). 10
• Doing something unsafe while on the drug. Users may not have their regular common sense about them, and may cause minor or serious harm to themselves or others. 21
• Psychotic episodes if you have a pre-disposition to mental illness 5

These risks can be reduced to near zero with proper precautions.

It’s also preferrable and possible to reduce the risk of having a bad trip.

Read the guide on how to take LSD (acid).

LSD is probably one of the most mythologized and demonised drugs, and its history is full of episodes which are as outlandish as the stories, such as the illegal experiments with the drug carried out by American and British intelligence agencies. Countless urban myths exist about bizarre and frightening things people did whilst tripping. “Bad Acid” People have believed in batches of so-called “bad acid” which are blamed for horrible effects and bad trips. Doses of different batches can be very variable and ‘bad’ experiences with LSD can usually be related to unwanted high doses, irresponsibility or unpreparedness and/or the ingestion of a different substance. There are no different types of LSD. LSD stays in your spinal fluid, causing flashbacks years later LSD does not stay in your body for long. Flashbacks and HPPD are poorly understood, but the symptoms occur in the absence of LSD. Orange Juice/ Vitamin C can be used as an antidote to stop a bad trip This is not true, there are no easy home remedies to end a trip, although doctors use benzodiazepines to ease agitation. However, people are very suggestible when tripping and this can contribute to the perception of such effects. You can be declared legally insane if you take LSD more than seven times There is an old rumour that taking LSD more than seven times means that you can be declared legally insane. This is not true and there are plenty of people who have taken LSD more than seven times and are not insane. People going blind staring at the sun The rumour about people going blind from taking LSD and staring at the sun was created by a TV show in the 1960s. However, there have been a few case reports of people partially damaging their eyes from staring at the sun whilst on LSD. People do strange things whilst on LSD and LSD dilates your pupils which exposes your eyes to more light than usual. People think they can fly and jump out of a window People have fallen out of windows and off cliffs whilst on LSD, but these were probably accidents due to impaired judgement, or suicides, rather than thinking they could fly.

Source: Professor David Nutt and others at DrugScience.org.uk

Alternatives to LSD

• DMT (substantially shorter duration)
• 2C-B. Shulgin, a well respected chemist who synthesized thousands of drugs, said 2C-B was “one of his favorite drugs”. 22
• Other means of reaching altered states of consciousness: holotropic breathwork, chanting/drumming, sweat lodges, meditation, yoga, float/isolation tanks

Actively recruiting LSD clinical studies

View the studies here.

Email [email protected] to advertise your study here for free.

Actively recruiting LSD surveys

What are your motives for using LSD or other drugs?

Take this questionnaire from Maastricht University about the motives of your drug use: Survey

“Imperial College has set up a new study to investigate the psychological effects of psychedelics. Everyone who has planned to take a psychedelic in the near future can sign up!

You will receive a survey on different time-points, before and after your psychedelic experience. See the website for more information: www.psychedelicsurvey.com

Share your experience and contribute to science!”

Have you overcome alcohol or drug addiction after using psychedelics?

Take this anonymous online survey from Johns Hopkins

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AddictionFree

Do not consume any drugs without consulting a medical professional. This is for informational purposes only.

Full Disclaimer

Organizations we recommend supporting

Donate to Heffter to make psilocybin a medicine

Do you contribute to any Patreon campaigns? If so, please contact Heffter and say that you’d love to contribute to them on Patreon.

Other organizations

• The Zendo Project : Psychedelic support services and peer counseling
• Psychonaut Wiki : A psychedelic wiki
• The Drug Policy Alliance : A drug policy organization

Other recommended guides

😍 RollSafe.org , guides on MDMA

🔥 )‘( BurnerList.org , a more useful version of the burning man shopping checklist

Things to learn next

What you need to know about Shrooms

About the research into psilocybin (active ingredient from magic mushrooms)

How to help someone having a bad trip

What the effects of LSD are

How to take LSD

Drug Harm Reduction: A List of What You Should Know If You’re Considering Using Other Drugs, like Salvia, Tobacco, Alcohol, etc.

• https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015/NSDUH-DetTabs-2015.htm#tab1-1a [return]
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFOhGh1AANk [return]
• Book: Acid Test [return]
• Nutt, D. J., King, L. A., & Phillips, L. D. (2010, November 01). Drug harms in the UK: A multicriteria decision analysis. The Lancet, 376(9752), 1558-1565. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(10)61462-6 [return]
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056407/ [return]
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• https://erowid.org/chemicals/2ci_nbome/2ci_nbome_death.shtml [return]
• http://www.csp.org/psilocybin/PressRelease201106.pdf [return]
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Bicycle day marks an unofficial commemoration of the first use of lsd.

Among psychedelic enthusiasts, April 19 or Bicycle Day honors a mind-altering ride taken by the Swiss chemist who created LSD.

LEILA FADEL, HOST:

Today, April 19, is the unofficial anniversary of the first ever recorded use of LSD.

A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:

Bicycle Day marks a hallucinogenic ride that's considered the birth of the modern psychedelic movement.

FADEL: Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann first synthesized what became known as LSD in the 1930s. In 1943, he took what he thought was a mild dose and biked home.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

ALBERT HOFMANN: I was taken to another world, another place, another time. My body seemed to be without sensation. Lifeless. Strange.

MARTÍNEZ: At a conference in San Francisco in 1978, Hofmann said he still felt it the day after.

HOFMANN: All my senses vibrated in a condition of highest sensitivity that persisted for the entire day.

FADEL: Hofmann said he believed it was the beginning of something big.

MARTÍNEZ: Decades of medical research into psychedelic therapy, some of it promising, would follow. But Hofmann later wrote that his biggest discovery became his, quote, "problem child" when LSD came to be linked with 1960s counterculture.

TIMOTHY LEARY: Turn on, tune in and drop out.

FADEL: That's from a recording made by Timothy Leary, a psychologist who lost his teaching job at Harvard after becoming a psychedelic evangelist. His words became a mantra for a movement that consumed popular culture and music.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS")

THE BEATLES: (Singing) Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "PURPLE HAZE")

JIMI HENDRIX: (Singing) Purple haze all in my brain.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "GO ASK ALICE")

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE: (Singing) Go ask Alice. I think she'll know.

MARTÍNEZ: In 1968, though, laws against the manufacture and sale of LSD were strengthened and possession was criminalized. Research came to a halt.

FADEL: But some drugs, like LSD, are now being decriminalized in some places, and new research is underway.

MONNICA WILLIAMS: At my clinic, we do ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for major depressive disorder and PTSD.

FADEL: Monnica Williams is at the University of Ottawa.

WILLIAMS: Research done with MDMA, for example, has shown excellent results with, I would say, over two-thirds of people with PTSD not having PTSD anymore at follow up.

MARTÍNEZ: Williams says securing research funding is difficult, but she and others who observe Bicycle Day hope psychedelic therapies will one day be accessible for all.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

What a Terror Attack in Israel Might Reveal About Psychedelics and Trauma

Thousands of Israelis were using mind-altering substances when Hamas-led fighters attacked a desert festival on Oct. 7. Now, scientists are studying the ravers to determine the effects of such drugs at a moment of extreme trauma.

This photo of Yuval Tapuhi was taken at the Tribe of Nova festival on Oct. 7, before the Hamas-led terrorist attack. Credit... Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for The New York Times

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By Natan Odenheimer ,  Aaron Boxerman and Gal Koplewitz

• April 11, 2024

One Israeli said that being high on LSD during the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7 prompted a spiritual revelation that helped him escape the carnage at a desert rave. Another is certain the drug MDMA made him more decisive and gave him the strength to carry his girlfriend as they fled the scene. A third said that experiencing the assault during a psychedelic trip has helped him more fully process the trauma.

Listen to this article with reporter commentary

Some 4,000 revelers gathered on the night of Oct. 6 at a field in southern Israel, mere miles from the Gaza border, for the Tribe of Nova music festival. At dawn, thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed Israel’s defenses under the cover of a rocket barrage.

About 1,200 people were killed that day, the deadliest in Israeli history according to the Israeli authorities, including 360 at the rave alone. Many of the ravers were under the influence of mind-altering substances like LSD, MDMA and ketamine as they witnessed the carnage or fled for their lives.

For a group of Israeli researchers at the University of Haifa, the attack has created a rare opportunity to study the intersection of trauma and psychedelics, a field that has drawn increased interest from scientists in recent years.

The survivors of the Nova festival present a case study that would be impossible to replicate in a lab: a large group of people who endured trauma while under the influence of substances that render the brain more receptive and malleable.

Illegal in most countries, including Israel, these substances are now on the cusp of entering the psychiatric mainstream. Recent research suggests that careful doses of drugs like MDMA and psilocybin , the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms,” might be useful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder.

The festival participants were under the influence during their trauma, not in a controlled clinical setting, but researchers say studying them could help scientists better understand how psychedelics might be used to treat patients after a traumatic event.

The researchers surveyed more than 650 Nova survivors. Roughly 23 percent said they took hallucinogens like LSD, also known as acid, and about 27 percent used MDMA, a stimulant and psychedelic commonly called molly or ecstasy. Many attendees used more than one substance.

Participants in the survey described a variety of experiences while using drugs on Oct. 7, ranging from hallucinations to extreme clarity, from panic to resolve and from paralysis to action.

“Even though people were dropping on the ground screaming next to me, I felt a growing sense of confidence, that I was invincible,” said Yarin Reichenthal, 26, a judo coach who experienced the attack while on LSD. “I felt enlightened. I felt no fear at all.”

In many instances, according to preliminary results of the researchers’ survey, even festivalgoers using the same drugs experienced the attack in different ways — variances that might have meant the difference between life and death.

The scientists cautioned that the study was not a comprehensive review of how every participant at the rave fared because so many were killed.

“We only hear the stories of those who made it out alive,” said Roy Salomon, a cognitive science professor at the University of Haifa and a co-author of the study. “So our understanding is influenced by survivors’ bias.”

Witnesses said that for many attendees, drug use appeared to hamper their ability to flee for safety. Some ravers were too zoned out on psychedelics to realize what was happening and escape. The researchers said that those experiences were also important to their findings.

“There are two main questions,” said Roee Admon, a University of Haifa psychology professor and a co-author of the study. “How is the traumatic event experienced under different psychedelics, and what might the long-term clinical impact be?”

Professor Admon and Professor Salomon, who are leading the survey, are studying the survivors in the hopes of gleaning information about how drug use affected their experience of trauma. They are also studying how the attendees appear to be recovering and coping. A graduate student, Ophir Netzer, also helped write the study.

Of those who made it out alive, some survivors appeared to be recovering well and others reported feeling numb and detached. Some said they had increased their drug use since the attack to cope.

“We were all in such a heightened emotional state, which made us all the more vulnerable when the attack began,” said Tal Avneri, 18, who said he stayed relatively lucid on Oct. 7 after taking MDMA. “And when you’re hurt at your most fragile, you can later become numb.”

For devotees of Israel’s trance scene, a festival like Nova is more than just a way to let loose. Many view the raves — often held in forests and deserts, with pounding electronic beats and mind-altering substances — as spiritual journeys amid a like-minded community.

“The love I felt on the dance floor, the raves, the psychedelics — they helped me cope with my mother’s death,” said Yuval Tapuhi, a 27-year-old Nova survivor from Tel Aviv.

Around 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 7, as the sky turned pink and many revelers were beginning the most intense part of their trips, rockets from Gaza suddenly streaked through the sky. Air-raid sirens and loud explosions cut through the music.

Some people fell to the ground and burst out crying, multiple survivors said. Some attendees scrambled to evade the terrorists by hiding in bushes, behind trees or in riverbeds. Others sprinted through open fields, running for hours before reaching safety.

Still others fled in their cars, creating a huge traffic jam at the rave’s main exit, where they became easy targets for Palestinian gunmen swarming across the border.

Amid the gunfire and rocket barrage, Mr. Reichenthal, the judo coach, had what he describes as a transcendent experience, which he credits with his survival. The LSD trip, he said, made it feel as if his fear had been stripped away, and he murmured Bible verses as he ran to safety.

Many survivors described their initial panic being replaced with a coolheaded resolve — a function, one expert said, of stress counteracting the effects of the drugs.

Sebastian Podzamczer, 28, attributed his survival, at least in part, to a huge rush of energy and clarity he experienced while using MDMA. The drug’s influence, he said, gave him what he believes was the strength to carry his girlfriend, who had been paralyzed by fear.

Mr. Podzamczer, a former combat medic in the Israeli military, had PTSD after his service. Taking psychedelics recreationally, he said, helped him unravel some of that pain, allowing him to speak about his military service without shaking and panicking.

“But I always thought that if I was caught in an extreme situation like that, I’d be paralyzed by panic from my PTSD,” Mr. Podzamczer said. Instead, he found that the MDMA he took at the rave “helped me stay afloat, to act more quickly and decisively.”

High levels of stress can almost “overwhelm” the effects of a drug and jolt people back to reality, said Rick Doblin, the founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, a nonprofit organization in California that finances scientific research but is not involved in the Nova survivor study.

Almog Arad, 28, said that her acid trip kicked in after the attack began but that the circumstances quickly “minimized” the drug’s effects. While she continued to see intense colors and patterns as she fled, her decision-making remained relatively sound, she said.

“Adrenaline was the strongest drug I took that day,” she said.

The University of Haifa researchers plan to follow the survivors for years, tracking their neural activity with functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI.

They have presented their preliminary findings in a preprint paper , a scientific manuscript undergoing peer review.

Compared with survivors who used other substances, attendees who used MDMA are recovering better and showing less severe symptoms of PTSD, according to the study’s preliminary conclusions.

Many MDMA users in particular, the researchers said, believe that using the drug helped them survive. That perception, the scientists added, could have influenced their ability to cope with their trauma.

“The way in which we remember the trauma has a great impact on how we process it,” Professor Admon said. “So even if a victim’s perception is subjective, it will still have a great impact on their recovery.”

The researchers said it was difficult to assess the exact doses that the festivalgoers used, making it hard to analyze how different quantities of drugs affected people.

Mr. Reichental said he witnessed one man at the rave who appeared to be so out of it that as gunfire sounded and another raver tried to help him escape, the man instead began to flirt with her. “How lucky it is that destiny brought us together,” Mr. Reichenthal recalled the man saying. He does not believe the man survived the attack.

Psychologists and survivors said those ravers who took ketamine, a psychedelic with an intense tranquilizing and dissociative effect, appeared to be one of the groups hit hardest.

Immediately after the Nova massacre, a group of therapists and experts established a volunteer relief network for survivors, known as Safe Heart, that provided psychological support for more than 2,200 people. The group has collaborated with the University of Haifa researchers as well as with a separate , qualitative study led by Guy Simon, a psychotherapist and doctoral candidate at Bar-Ilan University.

“Most people who undergo a traumatic experience do not develop PTSD,” Professor Admon said. “Identifying those who do and treating them as early as possible is critical to their healing.”

Read by Natan Odenheimer

Audio produced by Adrienne Hurst .

Aaron Boxerman is a Times reporting fellow with a focus on international news. More about Aaron Boxerman

Our Coverage of the Israel-Hamas War

News and Analysis

Israel has not provided evidence to support its accusations that many employees of the main U.N. agency  for Palestinian refugees are members of terrorist organizations, according to an independent review commissioned by the United Nations.

The United Nations says famine is likely to set in by May in Gaza. For those living under Israel’s attacks and a crippling blockade, every day is a race against time. Here’s how two Palestinian families  try to keep their children alive.

Israel has failed to achieve its two primary goals of the war, while the suffering of Palestinians  erodes support even among its allies. Here’s a look inside the stark reality  of Israel’s fight in Gaza.

The United States is considering imposing sanctions on one or more Israeli battalions accused of human rights violations during operations in the occupied West Bank , according to a person familiar with the deliberations.

PEN America’s Fallout: The free expression group PEN America has canceled its 2024 literary awards ceremony following months of escalating protests over the organization’s response to the war in Gaza , which has been criticized as overly sympathetic to Israel.

Fears Over Iran Buoy Netanyahu: The Israeli prime minister lost considerable support after the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. Tensions with Iran have helped him claw  some of it back.

A Surprising Rift: The Israel-Hamas war, which has roiled cultural and political institutions far beyond the Middle East, is causing divisions in a prominent Japanese American group .

Mobilizing the American Left: As the death toll in Gaza climbed, the pro-Palestinian movement grew into a powerful, if disjointed, political force in the United States . Democrats are feeling the pressure.

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The bicycle day dream bike: a carbon fiber hommage to albert hofmann.

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Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

For the uninitiated, the Bicycle Day international holiday might suggest a celebration of bicycles and riding bikes. But that’s only part of the story.

Not to be confused with World Bicycle Day, which is on June 3rd, Bicycle Day is celebrated on April 19th, and its purpose is to honor the first LSD trip, which took place in Switzerland by its creator, Albert Hofmann, in 1943. Wherein the famous chemist was the first to ingest a dose of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). He then rode his bike home from his lab at Sandoz and recorded the experience in colorful detail.

The art flow across the suspension linkage as if it's all on the same plane

“Kaleidoscopic, fantastic images burst in upon me, alternating, variegated, opening and then closing themselves in circles and spirals, exploding in coloured fountains, rearranging and hybridizing themselves in constant flux,” he later wrote in his memoir, LSD: My Problem Child .

Bicycle Day, along with psychedelic therapies more broadly, has entered the mainstream in recent years. The holiday itself has been covered by Bicycling , Scientific American and even Forbes . These once-demonized substances are now treating a range of mental illnesses, along with addiction, by enabling a veritable rewiring the brain. Michael Pollan’s seminal work on the topic, How to Change Your Mind : What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence, both uncovered and accelerated the adoption of psychedelic therapies in modern society. Today, many states are moving to decriminalize psychedelics for medical use, even if the federal government lags behind.

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Sh gun episode 10 review a powerful finale but not what i was expecting, the trump media stock price djt is about to adjust down by 22 7.

Worthy of admiration

To commemorate Bicycle Day this year, I commissioned what can only be described as a work of art. It takes the form of a carbon fiber mountain bike frame that’s been stripped and re-painted as a tribute to Albert Hofmann, LSD and Bicycle Day. What frame is it? That doesn’t really matter, actually, because this is all about the art. I worked with TWCarbon to bring this vision to life, and it’s fair to say they completely over delivered on the assignment.

Psychedelic art is its own genre. It is characterized by a pallet of bright pastel colors—a kaleidoscope, if you will—with various psychedelic archetypes including God-like figures, geometric shapes and scenes of Mother Nature as viewed through the prism of an LSD trip. Bicycle Day is a sub-genre of this art form, where Hofmann himself is depicted riding his bike among the Swiss Alps with his character immortalized through so many artists’ interpretations. This is precisely what I wanted to capture on this bike frame.

Better riding through chemistry

My direction to Nick Hand, founder of TWCarbon , was pretty simple. I’ve been doing so-called dream bike builds for years, where every part is curated and assembled according to an ideal scenario for that type of bike e.g. gravel, downcountry, road, hardtail and whatever the Trek Stache is. For this one, I wanted a dream paint job to set it apart from everything else I’ve done. I threw out a couple basic ideas, but Hand pushed me to think bigger. So I suggested the Bicycle Day theme.

“At the time, we had never heard of Bicycle Day,” Hand said. “But a few quick Google searches and we were going down the rabbit hole that was Albert Hofmann and the creation of LSD. We wanted to really push our abilities and see what we could do. It’s rare you get a project with no limits, so when they happen you have to push past what has been comfortable. Without doing that you cannot grow.”

“Bike commutes are sacred bookends to the day,” added Leah DeMatta , the TWCarbon artist who painted the frame. “Repeating a route allows you to start noticing new things along the way or to meditate on creative problems through movement. How much more immersive must his ride have been, and how lucky for the act of riding to coincide with the world's first trip.”

“To translate this story,” DeMatta continued, “we created a playful landscape that begins in the ‘lab’ section. The layout in the lab is straightforward and includes LSD and serotonin molecules. On the front triangle, the lab beakers bubble over, and the chemist on his bike is swept up in the vibrant textures of the new world he is experiencing. The LSD side of the bike is a playful collage of tropical colors. We used lines of ice cream swirls and a flattened landscape outline to create the shapes. I wanted it to feel like the chemist is going where the trip takes him; he is taking in a moment where there is no order or time, only color and flow.”

The result, as you can see, is nothing short of inspiring.

Albert Hofmann is my co-pilot

Personally, cycling has always been a form of meditation and expression. It’s supported my mental health for close to 50 years, from teaching myself to ride a bike at age five to competing in BMX during my adolescence, racing mountain bikes throughout my college years, starting a mountain bike touring company as my first entrepreneurial venture, joining BIKE Magazine as an intern out of college (eventually becoming editor) and moving to Park City, Utah, which is arguably the best mountain biking destination in the U.S. It seems oddly coincidental that the first LSD trip took place on a bike and that both psychedelics and cycling support mental health and artistic expression. That is, if you believe in coincidences.

From here, I’ll assemble the bike and follow up with a story about how the Bicycle Day Dream Build actually rides.

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The Bryson Tiller Tour 2024 (Houston) | 713 Music Hall

Get ready for a night to remember at The Bryson Tiller Tour, hitting the stage at 713 Music Hall on June 20, 2024. Located at 401 Franklin Street, Houston, TX, 77201, this concert is set to showcase some of Bryson Tiller's biggest hits, including "Sorry Not Sorry," "Run Me Dry," "Exchange," and many more. From the soulful vibes of "Inhale" to the infectious beats of "Wild Thoughts," this concert promises a musical experience like no other. Tickets for The Bryson Tiller Tour will be available for purchase starting from April 11, 2024, at 15:00, until June 21, 2024, at 03:00. Don't miss your chance to witness Bryson Tiller live in action. Mark your calendars and secure your tickets to be part of this unforgettable event.

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Taylor Swift owns this cute top in two colors — and it’s under $50

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So nice, she bought it twice.

Taylor Swift might have access to every designer label under the sun, but over the course of her career, she’s made it a point to mix the pricier pieces in her closet with much more accessible ones — and her new favorite top certainly fits that description.

Following the release of her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” and lead single “Fortnight,” Swift kicked off the #ForAFortnightChallenge on YouTube Shorts by sharing footage of a few special moments from a recent two-week period in her life.

And in two of the featured clips, she’s seen wearing the bestselling Rumored Be Mine Top ($42), pairing the white version with a lavender Popflex Pirouette Skort ($60) for a game of pickleball and the black with jeans and a Tilly Sveaas T-bar necklace while cooking with ( and kissing ) boyfriend Travis Kelce.

Rumored Be Mine Top

If the latter look feels familiar, it’s likely because Swift also wore it while delivering her virtual acceptance speech after winning artist of the year during the iHeartRadio Music Awards earlier this month.

“Our team at Rumored has long admired Taylor since her debut album. We were beyond thrilled when she chose to wear Rumored. Taylor embodies the spirit of the women Rumored is designed for — confident, unapologetic dreamers and believers. It’s an honor to have her support,” brand founder Dacey Trotta tells Page Six Style.

Described by the New York-based company as “a soft and seamless essential,” the cap-sleeved shirt features a scoop neckline, form-fitting silhouette and cropped cut, and also comes in a light gray color in addition to Swift’s black and white.

And while sizes are flying out of stock swiftly, Rumored is restocking the style on May 5.

In the meantime, if your size is sold out, consider the Be Mine Minidress ($48), which boast the same flattering fit.

Rumored Be Mine Minidress

It’s not the first time Swift’s stocked up on a sartorial staple in multiple shades; while teasing “TTPD” in a series of preppy, collegiate-cool street style looks , she’s been spotted wearing a particular pleated Miu Miu miniskirt in several different neutral hues.

She also owns her go-to Polo Ralph Lauren baseball cap ($50) in both chino and corduroy varieties , and her favorite cable-knit sweater ($148+) from the same label in a whopping six different colors .

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