music makes you lose control…which might just be what you need.
Music holds a unique power over the human psyche, shaping emotions, guiding thoughts, and connecting us to the profound mysteries of existence. In the heightened state of a psychedelic journey, this power is magnified; music becomes more than a backdrop—it becomes a compass, a sculptor of inner experience.
Music can serve as both a map and a mirror, offering structure to the vast, uncharted territories of consciousness while reflecting the deepest truths of the self. Each note carries the potential to soothe or awaken, to dissolve boundaries or illuminate them, guiding the traveler through waves of emotion and meaning. In these moments, music transcends its role as mere sound, transforming into a sacred technology—a timeless language that bridges the gap between the finite self and the infinite.
This is no mere coincidence but an echo of ancient rituals, where rhythm and melody served as tools for collective transcendence. From shamanic drumming to the chants of Greek mysteries, music has long been a vehicle for dissolving the ego and touching the eternal. In the context of psychedelics, it fulfills a similar role, anchoring the voyager in a space that is simultaneously intimate and cosmic.
Music is inherently psychedelic—it reveals the mind and manifests the soul. No substances required.
But in preparation for a medicine experience, curating your sonic voyage with intention, won’t just set a mood; it’ll craft a journey. Music becomes the unseen hand that steadies us, the gentle nudge that invites surrender, and the rhythm that reminds us we are part of something larger. Whether guiding moments of catharsis, introspection, or joy, it leads us to connection—not only with ourselves but with the ineffable symphony of existence.
And in this alchemical fusion of sound and consciousness, we rediscover a profound truth: music is not merely heard—it is felt, lived, and, in the right moment, it can heal. Music reminds us of the unity we so often forget, a unity that whispers, in every note, that we are boundless.
Star Tracks by Lim Heng Swee
My medicine journey through the symphony
I recently journeyed with medicine. Heart full of hope, mind full of questions. Despite clear intentions being set, my gracious hosts—medicine and music—served me a platter of something entirely different. As I dissolved into space, time became irrelevant.
I entered the cockpit of some galactic vehicle and drove straight into the music. I was inside every note.
The sounds created a map where each transition became a turn, a hill, and sometimes even a loop. There were no clear answers provided, no mythical beings appearing with comforting words, no bright light, no metaphorical visions. Just me, in my pod, riding the musical waves, with (apparently) a big grin plastered across my face.
Art by Henn Kim
I returned earth-side feeling light, inspired, and joyful. Having experienced an exploration of consciousness beyond my body, I beamed for the next couple of days. Though not my first journey, I was so in awe of the vastness and the sheer possibilities of such medicines. I also basked in the fulfillment of having curated a playlist of music and the opportunity to experience it with medicine—an entirely different experience to say the least.
It was profoundly meaningful to journey with my own playlist, where the familiarity of each song and the personal significance I’ve attached to them shaped the experience, weaving a deeply intimate narrative that felt uniquely my own.
It was also powerful to know that the others journeying alongside me were listening to the same music—there was an undeniable energy in that shared experience. Multiple times throughout the journey, thoughts of hope came to me; hopes that they were enjoying the music as much as I was, hopes that the melodies were holding them, guiding them, as they did for me. Their presence deeply influenced my experience, creating an unspoken bond that wove us together through the shared tapestry of sound. Through my integration, I realized that the musical curation was a central theme of this experience—each song, carefully and artfully selected, carried not just my intentions but a sense of responsibility to the others as well. The music absolutely took over, validating how essential music and creativity are to my soul.
It’s not something I’ve forgotten; I bridge the worlds of music and medicine on a daily basis. But I have not cleared space for my own musical creativity as of late. I know full well that my piano is not an art piece to be merely admired or romanticized in my home—she longs to be played, and I know I need to be playing her. My voice, has been relegated to the shower, but she needs to echo and fill many, many other spaces. Music isn’t just something I pour energy into; it gives back, soothing, grounding , and balancing me. Music makes me feel like a whole person, and this journey was a poignant reminder of its irreplaceable place in my life.
The music caused me to lose control over the journey; in the best of ways. I’ve since been pondering, integrating, and wondering. Was that the message? What about all the other answers and comforts I was seeking? Did the medicine simply offer me a reprieve from life’s routine—a fleeting moment to enjoy myself, no strings attached?
Ok… so I was reminded to play my piano and make more space to create. But did I miss something else, distracted by the beauty and movement of it all?
Perhaps the medicine’s brilliance lies in its refusal to adhere to our expectations. Perhaps its wisdom is in the subtlety—a gentle reminder that not all journeys need to be transformative revelations. Sometimes, they can be a celebration of existence itself.
And so, I’m left with questions that linger like the echoes of a song. Perhaps there is still something unfolding. Perhaps I am to learn to sit with uncertainty…or simply, sit at my piano. Perhaps…I’ve said “perhaps” enough.
The medicine, ever wise, is a teacher—not synonymous with easy answers. It challenges us to dwell in the unknown, to seek clarity not in what is handed to us, but in what we discover through reflection, patience, and the courage to explore.
Art by Henn Kim
