How Do Hallucinogens Affect Music?
Rachael Campbell
Caitlin Martin
Eng 105
9 April 2014
Hallucinogenic Effects on Music
Hallucinogens have affected music for over 100 years-- whether it was interpreted by a listener, played by a musician, or studied by a psychologist. With that said, the history of hallucinogens is not exactly lengthy, but many musicians and artists have used these psychedelics for inspiration. A musician or composer’s work while under the influence of hallucinogens is directly related to why the music sounds very different compared to music that was not created by someone who was under the influence. It’s for certain that there are many different types of hallucinogens but LSD, magic mushrooms, ecstasy, and opium are the four main hallucinogens that changed …show more content…
The most common form nowadays are raves. Raves are all-night dances that feature music at very loud levels of volume and flashing lights. They’re basically huge parties for bored city youths. But for some, raves are a sensual "psychic voyage" next to a religious experience (Sillars n.pag.). The youths that attend these raves are known to be tripping on a hallucinogen, most commonly ecstasy while staying up all night and dancing to this loud music. Similar to music festivals, raves create an ambience to a listener. Youths usually use the loud music with pulsating rhythm to create a drowning personal unconsciousness. The music played at raves is techno, it has a steady beat. Sillars stated that the DJ was like a priest or shaman that controls the lighting and the volume in the rave to put youths in an altered state of consciousness. "A large part of the concept of raves is built upon sensory overload,"(Sillars n.pag.) This sensory overload involves the visual vibrant colors from the flashing lights and strobes, the music hallucinations that form just from listening to music, and the spiritual out-of-body experiences. This is very similar to people who attend music festivals, almost for that exact same purpose. Raves and music festivals are the most common forms of this modern youth and hallucinogens
Caitlin Martin
Eng 105
9 April 2014
Hallucinogenic Effects on Music
Hallucinogens have affected music for over 100 years-- whether it was interpreted by a listener, played by a musician, or studied by a psychologist. With that said, the history of hallucinogens is not exactly lengthy, but many musicians and artists have used these psychedelics for inspiration. A musician or composer’s work while under the influence of hallucinogens is directly related to why the music sounds very different compared to music that was not created by someone who was under the influence. It’s for certain that there are many different types of hallucinogens but LSD, magic mushrooms, ecstasy, and opium are the four main hallucinogens that changed …show more content…
The most common form nowadays are raves. Raves are all-night dances that feature music at very loud levels of volume and flashing lights. They’re basically huge parties for bored city youths. But for some, raves are a sensual "psychic voyage" next to a religious experience (Sillars n.pag.). The youths that attend these raves are known to be tripping on a hallucinogen, most commonly ecstasy while staying up all night and dancing to this loud music. Similar to music festivals, raves create an ambience to a listener. Youths usually use the loud music with pulsating rhythm to create a drowning personal unconsciousness. The music played at raves is techno, it has a steady beat. Sillars stated that the DJ was like a priest or shaman that controls the lighting and the volume in the rave to put youths in an altered state of consciousness. "A large part of the concept of raves is built upon sensory overload,"(Sillars n.pag.) This sensory overload involves the visual vibrant colors from the flashing lights and strobes, the music hallucinations that form just from listening to music, and the spiritual out-of-body experiences. This is very similar to people who attend music festivals, almost for that exact same purpose. Raves and music festivals are the most common forms of this modern youth and hallucinogens