A recent study from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology reveals that psilocybin—the psychoactive compound in hallucinogenic mushrooms—significantly heightens emotional responses to music. This could integrate music into psilocybin-based depression therapies for enhanced effectiveness.
Last year, Canada approved psilocybin for use in palliative care patients, spotlighting its potential. Ongoing research explores its role in treating depression. A study published on October 4, 2021, by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology tested whether psilocybin increases sensitivity to music.
Prior research on psychedelics like LSD suggested heightened musical sensitivity. Led by Dea Siggaard Stenbæk from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, this study examined if hallucinogenic mushrooms produce similar effects.
Researchers recruited about 20 healthy volunteers who listened to a curated playlist—featuring Elgar's Enigma Variations and Mozart's Laudate Dominum—before and after receiving a controlled dose of psilocybin.
Participants rated their emotional responses using the validated Geneva Emotional Music Scale, which measures feelings like tranquility, wonder, and transcendence. Results showed a 60% average increase in emotional intensity.
“This demonstrates that combining psilocybin with music produces a powerful emotional effect, which we believe will be key for therapeutic applications if psychedelics gain clinical approval,” said Dea Siggaard Stenbæk in a Science Focus interview on October 5, 2021.
With psilocybin therapies for depression in development, Stenbæk proposes incorporating music as a core element. Future studies will use MRI scans to explore their combined brain effects.
