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

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.