Music Playlist Use in Clinical Trials of Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy: A Systematic Review

Music is frequently used in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, but there is no standardized protocol for selecting or implementing it. A systematic review of 36 articles found that 25 mentioned music, mostly in studies of psilocybin and MDMA for depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Procedures varied widely across studies, partly because different disorders and substances were investigated, and partly because no uniform guidelines exist. Identifying which features of music are prioritized may help guide future clinical practice and research.

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Abstract

Recent studies have shown promising results for psychedelics in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Both in clinical and recreational settings, contextual elements, such as music, can influence the experience of users and may be linked to positive outcomes. This systematic review identifies how music is being selected and used in psychedelisc-assisted psychotherapy (PAP). The search adopted PRISMA criteria and was conducted using PubMed, PsycNet, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane as databases. The use of music in PAP was compared, considering aspects such as the creation of a playlist, playlist features and characteristics of the setting. A total of 36 articles were found, with 25 articles mentioning the use of music, predominantly addressing depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder using psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). There was considerable variation in terms of procedures, mostly because studies explored different disorders and substances, but also because there was no standardized protocol regarding music. Understanding which aspects are being privileged when choosing music for use in PAP may orient future clinical and research efforts.