Psychedelics Shifting the Party Scene, Festivals, Clubs & More

Euphoriants and stimulants, uppers and downers, MDMA and mushrooms. Parties and recreational drugs have always been inextricably linked. Yet as psychedelic awareness gains more and more traction in the mainstream media, especially for healing and therapeutic purposes, there is also an increased interest in psychedelics and the part they play in the party scene.

.

.

Festivals, Clubs, Raves & Everything In-Between

.

There are similarities and differences between all these different types of parties and the preferred substances people use to fuel them. Raves, for example, began as small underground parties that became popular in the 1980s, characterized by laser lights, kaleidoscope effects, lots of colors, and an underground environment for people to dance the night away. Often associated with the motto PLUR (peace – love – unity – respect) which evolved from the African-American gay community, Latino disco, and house scenes in New York and Chicago, eventually adopted by the rave music scenes in England and North America. 

.

Originally these parties were known as Acid House Parties, before being rebranded in the media as raves ─ but the previous name says it all… these were parties where people were encouraged to use acid to fully immerse themselves in the musical experience.

.

In the 1990s electronic music spread internationally as did the newly popularized ecstasy (MDMA), which quickly became a party staple. Long gone were the days of clandestine underground events; today we have electronic music festivals that are massive events with pulsing lights and music that is a sensory experience perfectly matched to MDMA. 

.

Then there are parties that are seemingly made for psychedelics, such as psytrance events. ‘’Psytrance is the most psychedelic LSD-friendly music ever. There is no other music that makes bodies on acid dance for fourteen hours at a time’’ (source). This style of party also has deep roots in Goa and the hippie subculture. It is safe to say that different drugs complement the sensations of a diverse array of party experiences. 

..

Psychedelic Party Culture

.

..

Replacing stimulants with psychedelics at parties is a fast-growing trend, fueled partly by the increase in scientific research on these substances and the increase in public awareness and social acceptance. As well, with the rate of microdosing on the rise, more and more people are experimenting with taking small doses of psychedelics in all different kinds of settings. 

..

One of the golden pillars amongst the psychedelic community is to be aware and try to plan for a Set and Setting that can support and facilitate a good trip. So it could seem counterintuitive to initiate a trip in an environment as overstimulating as a club or a rave. But psychedelics can also provide a rich and deep experience in these settings, opening your senses and opening you to new connections in a way that alcohol or classic stimulants don’t.

.

Personal Experiences

.

We spoke to some partygoers who prefer psychedelics, finding the tripping experience more sustainable and the hangover less punishing.  For others, tripping at a rave can be overwhelming and frightening.  So let's explore how psychedelics are, and perhaps always have been, a part of the party scene. 

.

Alyssa (34) loves to go out. She has been experimenting with various substances since she was a teenager, but as she gets older she has begun to notice the impact club drugs have on her body and the toll some of them take in the days following a party. Lately, she has been exploring microdosing psilocybin when she goes dancing. She finds that it makes everything more intense ─ the lights, the sounds, the colors ─ but she does notice that she is a bit less social and more inward, deeply enjoying the music but finding the crowds to be a bit too much. Alyssa says that overall the positives outweigh the negatives and that stepping away from the classic stimulants and alcohol is helping to keep her from losing herself in the nightlife and shift the sense of escapism she used to associate with parties.

.

“If you go out two or three times a month and work five days a week, it’s physically and mentally unsustainable to use other substances.” (source)  

.

Sean (28) recently decided to take a fairly strong dose of acid at one of the most infamous clubs in the world ─ Berghain in Germany. Used to taking a wide array of substances, and no stranger to the techno scene, Sean was seeking a new experience. However, he says that he was perhaps a bit overconfident and ended up having quite a powerful trip, sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the club atmosphere and the heavy pulsating sounds. However, in the days afterward, he reflects that he learned a lot of lessons and even had a few personal revelations from the party experience. In general, he feels that larger doses of psychedelics are best taken in a more outdoor setting ─ like a music festival ─ to provide the optimal experience. That said, he is looking forward to dabbling with lower doses of different psychedelics at different types of parties. 

.

Other partygoers, like Chris (42), have been opting for psychedelics over club drugs for many years. She prefers psychedelics, finding that they make her feel more relaxed and in the moment, helping her to get out of her head and more into the body, especially when combined with her favorite electronic music. For an experienced tripper, she has found that she can facilitate the best party experience by anticipating the style of party ─ knowing the type of music, and being aware if it is more a hardcore rave or a lighthearted festival/day event ─ and then picking her potion accordingly.  

.

Risks

.

.

Overall, the research indicates that there is a reduced physical risk when comparing psychedelic substances to alcohol or cocaine, for example. That said, it is very important to remember that these are substances that trigger non-ordinary mental states. One should avoid mixing them with other drugs, especially stimulants. 

.

Especially if you are inexperienced with their effects, the best way to discover psychedelics is in a quiet, calm, natural setting with trusted space holders to support you. However, for many individuals that are accustomed to these substances and familiar with the nightlife and party scene, psychedelics offer an intriguing avenue for potentially facilitating a more rich party experience. 

..

Note: If you’re suffering from a mental illness and are curious about using psilocybin or any other psychedelic therapy, please consult one of the relevant medical authorities first. Do not self-prescribe, it’s vital to have the right support and guidance when using psychedelics as medicine.