Is this a way to get high without drugs? Introducing soundscaping.

Even if you’ve never been tempted to try drugs, you’ve probably wondered what it feels like to get high. I totally respect anyone who is anti-drug, whatever their reasons. But even the most ardent Nancy Reagan type must be curious about what the experience feels like.

Enter Soundscaping, a new frontier in noise therapy that allegedly can provide the effects of psychedelic drugs but without ingesting any chemicals. Andrew found this at Glamour, of all places.

It’s 10am on a cold, drizzly Wednesday morning and I’m tripping out. No, I’m not at some kind of illegal daytime rave. I’m lying on my back in my living room, eyes closed, getting high on a soundscape – custom music that’s sending me on a psychedelic trip, with no drugs required. Founded on the principles of psychedelic therapy, soundscapes claim to be able to activate the same parts of the brain as drugs like LSD, MDMA and magic mushrooms, to treat everything from PTSD to anxiety and depression.

I’m testing out the leader of the soundscapes pack, London-based company Wavepaths. Set up by the neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher Mendel Kaelen, Wavepaths creates bespoke tracks tailored to individual needs, be that processing a trauma, dealing with a break-up or just alleviating stress. In a year like 2020, most of us could do with some extra support – recent studies have shown depression and anxiety in the UK has tripled thanks to the pandemic. Could soundscapes be the answer?

Curious? Keep reading.