The Rhythm of Connection: House Music & Psychedelics
There exists, in the human experience, an extraordinary power in music—a force capable of dissolving the barriers of self, the illusions of separateness, and the isolation of individual existence. In the labyrinthine clubs of Chicago and New York, amidst the hypnotic throb of house music, a modern ritual emerged. Its rhythm was steady, its beat persistent, inviting all who listened to enter a collective state of transcendence. Here, on these sweat-slicked dance floors, humanity rediscovered an ancient truth: that in rhythm, in movement, we touch the eternal.
House music, with its repetitive pulse and soaring melodies, is no mere entertainment. It is a medium, a means by which fragmented souls come together, seeking solace, connection, and unity. Born from the underground—a sanctuary for the marginalized, the unseen, and the unheard—it became a soundscape of liberation. For the LGBTQ+ communities, for BIPOC individuals, and for all those burdened by the weight of societal exclusion, the dance floor was a place to cast off the ego, to move freely, and, perhaps, to heal.
This piece does not seek to promote self-experimentation but rather to acknowledge that the human drive for self-exploration through altered states has been, and will always be, a fundamental part of our story. Instead of shrouding these practices in stigma, we should aim to cultivate a culture of intention and understanding—one that values education, prioritizes safety, and respects the choices individuals make in pursuit of connection and healing.
The Mystical Communion of Rave Culture
In the 1990s, the ritual expanded. The raves of Los Angeles and New York became temples of sound, where house music’s rhythm enveloped vast gatherings of seekers. These were not casual assemblies; they were ecstatic celebrations of unity, each dancer a participant in a grand communion. The introduction of MDMA—known colloquially as "Ecstasy"—added another layer to the experience.
MDMA, that peculiar and fascinating molecule, acts as a chemical catalyst for emotional connection. It softens the walls of the self, rendering the individual porous to the emotions of others. In this state, empathy flourishes, social barriers dissolve, and a profound sense of unity arises. How fitting, then, that this substance should find its natural home on the dance floor, among the pulsating rhythms of house music. The beat aligned with the heart, the movement with the breath, and the self dissolved into the whole.
The Paradise Garage: A Sanctuary of Sound and Connection in New York City
The Paradise Garage, affectionately known as "The Garage," is one of the most legendary venues in the history of dance music and club culture. Opened in 1977 in the Hudson Square neighborhood of Manhattan, this unassuming nightclub at 84 King Street became the epicenter of New York City’s underground music scene, leaving a profound legacy that resonates to this day. Its story is not just about music but about community, creativity, and liberation, particularly for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities during a time when such spaces of freedom were scarce.
The Paradise Garage was the brainchild of Michael Brody, a forward-thinking entrepreneur and openly gay man who envisioned a nightclub that would offer more than just a night out—it would provide a safe haven for self-expression and connection. Unlike other clubs of the era, which often emphasized exclusivity and glamour, the Garage was designed to be egalitarian and inclusive. Its atmosphere was unpretentious, focusing on the music and the communal experience rather than commercial appeal or celebrity culture.
Brody enlisted the help of Richard Long, a pioneering sound engineer, to create what would become one of the most advanced and revered sound systems of its time. The custom-built system was meticulously tuned to fill the cavernous space with rich, immersive sound, making the music not just something you heard but something you felt.
Larry Levan: The Soul of the Garage
At the heart of the Paradise Garage was Larry Levan, the iconic resident DJ whose name became synonymous with the club’s ethos. A master of musical storytelling, Levan transcended the role of a traditional DJ. His sets were a spiritual journey, weaving together disco, house, soul, funk, and experimental tracks in ways that defied genre boundaries.
DJ Larry Levant in the booth at Paradise Garage
Larry Levan on Spotify
Levan’s deep understanding of the crowd allowed him to create an almost transcendent experience on the dance floor. He didn’t just play music—he orchestrated emotions, creating highs and lows that mirrored the intensity of life itself. The term "Garage music" was coined to describe his style, and his influence would go on to shape the emerging house music movement in Chicago and beyond.
The Paradise Garage revolutionized dance music by pushing the boundaries of disco and embracing experimental sounds that paved the way for house music. Larry Levan’s fearless curation introduced audiences to groundbreaking artists, unreleased tracks, and the creative potential of the 12-inch single, while anthems like Gwen Guthrie’s "Padlock" and Taana Gardner’s "Heartbeat" became synonymous with the Garage’s immersive dance floor experience. Though the club closed in 1987, its ethos of inclusivity and transformative music laid the foundation for the global house movement and inspired countless artists and DJs.
Despite his immense talent and influence, Levan’s life was not without struggles. The pressures of fame, the hedonistic culture of the time, and personal challenges with substance use took a toll on his health and career. His story also reflects the shadow side of rave culture—a world that, while offering liberation and connection, can also be a high-risk environment. The allure of escapism and the lack of boundaries in these spaces often amplify vulnerabilities, particularly for those navigating the intense demands of creative leadership.
The Shadow of the Dance Floor
There is no light without shadow, and the dance floor is no exception. While house music and rave culture provide profound opportunities for joy, connection, and healing, they also carry inherent risks. Substance misuse, unregulated dosages, and unsafe environments can create real dangers, particularly when these experiences occur without proper support or understanding. Even medicines celebrated for their enlightening and empathogenic effects can become harmful when used recklessly or in unsuitable settings.
Acknowledging these risks is essential to encourage intention and responsibility. When approached mindfully, with harm reduction strategies and respect for oneself and others, the dance floor transforms into a space not just of euphoria but of conscious exploration and growth.
Larry Levan’s life and legacy embody this duality. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 38, a poignant reminder of the risks inherent in a culture that, while offering liberation and connection, can also amplify vulnerability. Even in his struggles, Levan remained a symbol of creativity and resilience, a testament to the transformative power of art and self-expression. His legacy endures as more than a cautionary tale; it is a celebration of the beauty that emerges when intention, community, and music come together to create something truly profound. His story invites us to reflect on the delicate balance between the light and shadow of these spaces, reminding us of the care and responsibility required to preserve their magic while mitigating their risks.
Psychedelics, the Dance Floor, and the Therapeutic Revolution
If house music provides the structure, psychedelics like MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin provide the illumination. These substances, long misunderstood and maligned, have always possessed the power to dissolve the ego’s tyranny. On the dance floor, this dissolution manifests as unity and joy. In a clinical setting, it reveals itself as healing and transformation. The two worlds are not as separate as they seem.
The therapeutic use of psychedelics, now supported by ongoing rigorous science, owes a quiet debt to the dance floors of the 1980s and ’90s. It was there, in those euphoric gatherings, that people discovered the potential of MDMA not merely to entertain but to heal. The boundary between recreation and therapy is an artificial one; for those who have danced under the stars with music as their guide, the line is beautifully blurred.
The division between recreational and therapeutic use of psychedelics is often presented as stark, but in reality, the line is far thinner than we imagine. Joy and enjoyment, often dismissed as frivolous, are profoundly therapeutic experiences. Yet, our culture often shrouds joy in a veil of shame, perpetuating the idea that one must earn it, deserve it, or seek permission to indulge in it freely. A night spent dancing to music, surrounded by community, can be just as healing as a structured therapy session. Both involve connection—whether to oneself, to others, or to something greater—and both can spark transformation. While clinical settings emphasize control, structure, and safety, recreational settings can reflect spontaneity, expression, and freedom. Each has something to teach the other, and when approached responsibly, recreational use can serve as a gateway to deeper self-awareness, just as therapy can draw on the raw emotional power of unstructured joy. Ultimately, healing and pleasure are not opposites but complementary forces, each playing a vital role in the human experience.
Ancient Rhythms in Modern Garb
This, of course, is not new. From the dawn of humanity, music and movement have served as vehicles for transformation. Ancient drummers in Africa, shamanic dancers in Siberia, and the sacred rituals of Greece all share the same thread: rhythm and sound as tools for transcending the ordinary. House music and rave culture are but modern expressions of this eternal human longing—to lose oneself in the collective, to reconnect with the timeless.
The science of rhythm and entrainment reveals why this experience is so profoundly universal. The tempo of house music, a steady 120–130 beats per minute, aligns seamlessly with the natural rhythms of the human body. The heart entrains to the beat, the breath follows suit, and the body begins to move with an effortless grace, liberated from self-consciousness. In this rhythmic surrender lies a curious paradox: the dancer is both grounded and transcendent, simultaneously anchored to the physical and elevated into the ineffable.
Yet, the magic does not end with the individual. To witness others immersed in the same rhythm, moved by the same music, is to feel one’s own connection deepened. The collective experience amplifies the joy, as the boundaries between self and other begin to dissolve. It is here, in this communal ecstasy, that bonds are forged—not merely between individuals but with the music itself, the space, and the moment in time. Such experiences become imprinted on the soul, drawing one back to these settings time and again, not merely for entertainment, but for the renewal of the spirit and the communion of shared humanity.
The Eternal Dance
We live in an age where disconnection seems to be spreading like a plague. House music can offer a salve—a reminder that we are not alone, that we are part of a rhythm far greater than ourselves. Whether in a darkened club, a sprawling festival, your living room, or a clinical session of psychedelic-assisted therapy, the lesson remains the same: in rhythm, there is connection; in connection, there is healing.
I said this earlier and it’s worth repeating: This piece does not seek to promote self-experimentation but rather to acknowledge that the human drive for self-exploration through altered states has been, and will always be, a fundamental part of our story. Instead of shrouding these practices in stigma, we should aim to cultivate a culture of intention and understanding—one that values education, prioritizes safety, and respects the choices individuals make in pursuit of connection and healing.
It is also worth celebrating the inherent power of music and dance, which need no substances to be profoundly transformative. The act of moving to rhythm, releasing tension, and connecting with others is itself a psychedelic experience, a timeless ritual of joy and expression. Yet, even this practice, so vital to the human spirit, is often misunderstood or dismissed as indulgent. By reframing these experiences as essential pathways to connection and renewal, we can honor the enduring significance of music, dance, and the profound ways they unite us.
Like the rituals of ancient times, house music and the modern dance floor transcend their apparent simplicity. They are not merely entertainment but sacred acts of communion, expressions of humanity’s eternal search for meaning and unity. And in a world so desperately in need of both, their message is clear: to move, to connect, to feel, is to heal.
If you want to learn more about the Public Secret music label and artist collective, created by Max Mignot and myself visit:
www.publicsecretmusic.com or @public.secret
On Spotify peruse these pages and playlists:
The Brain Food Playlist
Public Secret Records Releases
And check out this piece about Beyond Consulting, my work, and a playlist for your next exploration in HoneySuckle Mag.
Referenced in article:
Gwen Guthrie, Padlock
Taana Gardner, Heartbeat
Always practice with safety, preparation, and intention.
Remember the power of these substances and the power of education.
Always check with a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your health and medication.
Take your time to connect with yourself, discover what you truly need, and develop a relationship with a medicine.
