Hallucinogen and Music Essay

The duration of the 1960s and first 1970s were the clear reverberations of twain mysticism and altruism. It dictum the rise of the American subculture know as the hipsters, which professes itself through exotic costume and erotic slogans that be refer on the subversion of the contemporary occidental conjunction into a much liberal nonp areil. N atomic number 53theless, the watch of hallucinogenic doses that aboutly permeated during the same period catapulted the rise of a medicinal medicate genre that is centered on an intensely esthetic entrancement, known as psychoactive practice of medicine.Beca determination of this, distinct artists emerged and gained generality in the said field, further reinforcing the drill of hallucinogenic medicines through their craft. In this respect, this paper sought to analyze how the euphony of both(prenominal) groups during 1960s, specifically The Doors, The Beatles and The Jefferson sheet were affected by the use of hal lucinogens, and the impact that their symphony had and still deem within the society. Hallucinogens A Background Hallucinogens are diversified groups of doses that can emasculate a persons intuition, thoughts and mood.Because it is a heterogeneous group, hallucinogens are mention for their varying chemical structures and mechanism of actions as well as different adverse effects among its users. While umteen claim that hallucination is the instantaneous effect of using hallucinogen, which are identified as false perception that wealthy person no realistic basis, it was stated that close to hallucinogens are more likely to change moods and thoughts rather than the actual hallucinations itself (Richards, 2006).The practice of hallucinogens can be traced from the hi write up of many an(prenominal) cultures notably as a means of phantasmal and mystical aims. Rig Veda, which is the Hindus holy hold stern, mentioned the use of soma, a substance that is cap sufficient of indu cing higher levels of consciousness among its users. It is believed that Soma is derived from the succus of Amanita Mascaria, a hallucinogenic mushroom. Similarly, in pre-Columbian Mexico , the Aztecs were storied to capture used teotlaqualli, a paste that is derived from the hallucinogenic flower known as ololiuqui, during their religious ceremonies.Both the Aztec priests and soldiers rub the substance on their skin, and it was though that the teotlaqualli eliminates the sense of fear and places its users under a proper mental state of service of process to the Aztec gods. The ab sure mass of Mexico were overly noted to wee-wee a vast history of using peyote, which is mescaline that contains hallucinogens, during religious ceremonies. Likewise, in Salem, Massachusetts, it was proposed that hallucinogen use is the main cause of unlikely behaviors of alleged witches during witch trials (Richards, 2006).The very showtime synthetic form of hallucinogen known as Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (lysergic acid diethylamide) 25, was ascertained in 1938 by Dr. Albert H off-keyman in Basel, Switzerlands Sandoz Laboratories. At that time, Dr. Hoffman was searching for drugs that have medical purposes. He stumbled upon lysergic acid diethylamide and did not realize that the said drug have psychotropic attributes. It was in 1943, that Dr. Hoffman accidentally consumed the drug that he effected its heading-altering effects right after he go through hallucinations.From and so on, LSD was widely distributed for medical research. It was also used for psychotherapy as such the term hallucinogenic is used to describe LSD which implies that it very causes the symptoms of common mental problems (Levinson, 2002). By 1957, Dr. Humphry Osmond coined the term psychotropic in dedicate to come up with more positive label for drugs that have consciousness-expanding properties, and later(prenominal) on the term LSD emerged.Psychedelic was further used by Timothy Leary and other advocates of LSD during 1960s in rate to mart the said drug as a substance of good human body that boost an singulars inter and intra-personal understanding, gives a heightened speck of spiritualty and increased level of creativity. Leary and his colleagues found their inspiration in promoting LSD in the identity of Aldous Huxley (1954), a British novelist and essayist. Huxleys book entitled The Doors of Inspiration, was one of the major influences that introduce Leary toward the positive use of LSD.The title of the book was base on William Blakes (1963) words If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would get on to man as it is infinite (Blake, 1963, p. 14 cited in Levinson, 2002, p. 76). Generally, Huxleys book chronicled the favor equal to(p) experiences he encountered in account to mescaline, a psychedelic drug that can be derived from peyote mushrooms (Levinson, 2002). Due to Learys besotted advocacy, many people were s trended to use LSD.His devised m otto turn on, tune in, drop appear spurred many infantile individuals to experiment with the said drug in order to exclude themselves from mainstream society. Likewise, characterization stars and entertainers alike lauded the mind-altering effects of LSD many have crimson incorporated it within their feelstyle that it has move a significant serving in the establishment of the hippie counterculture. Hallucinogen and music Psychedelic gem During the 1960s the widespread use of hallucinogens was recognized in account to the belief that ingesting the said substances eventually lead to mind expansion. It was even asserted that, why limit oneself with the experience of life-time on a banal level when one can experience life in a world where places are new and exciting through the usage of the said chemicals? Due to this, many are swayed by such empty talk that hallucinogen use has become a trend incorporated in the counterculture lifestyle (Levinson, 2002). Young people tried to exist differently from the convention of the society they rather live in large groups preferably of base families avoiding good paying jobs, and generally looking for excitement instead of turn obedient and dutiful citizens.Nonetheless, the music of the said era reflected the beliefs and attitudes of the said counterculture nice the piece to the new generation that cared less for power money and just now valued to live outside the rules set by ordinary society (Grimbly, 2001). The emergence of psychedelic rock has played a complex purpose in reinforcing the understanding that hallucinogen use is an inviting activity that promotes the sense of intra and inter-spirituality and get one with the environment.Many solidifications jumped into the bandwagon of the psychedelic era, including The Jefferson woodworking plane, The Beatles and The Doors which were considered as the forerunners of psychedelic sound. Before achievement to the discussion of the music of the pertained bands, it is first an imperative to define psychedelic music. popularly known as Psychedelic Rock, psychedelic music or sexually transmitted disease rock emerged during the later crack ups of the 1960s in calcium. It was music created under the influence of mind-altering drugs predominantly the LSD.The main features of this form of music are the long improvised instrumental passages, which are deemed as the replication of the mind-altering effects of LSD, in the setting of musicality. Likewise, bands who used this form of music all the way shows their willingness to engage in experimentation through effect pedals, that are amenable for notes distortion from guitars, that range from wailing to sustained percussive sounds (Grimbly, 2001).Such feature is a clear manifestation of the musicians magnetic inclination with hallucinogen characterized by their profound usage of distortion of notes and experimentation, which metaphorically represents the strong effects of hallucinogen u se. The Jefferson Airplane Considered as one of the most important bands during the psychedelic era, The Jefferson Airplane from calcium experienced a huge commercial success because of their hallucinogen bring forth music. The music of the said band was noted to have epitomized the drug-taking ethos of the hippies. Their interaction with people during their concert mirrored what was going on at that time.The 1967 record album known as Surrealistic Pillow contained one of the most notable psychedelic songs of all time which is scintillae Rabbit. As the term surrealistic indicates, having the experience of disoriented and hallucinatory quality of dreams it was a clear manifestation of the bands inclination to hallucinogen use and its impact on ones mind (Jefferson Airplanes White Rabbit, 2008). White Rabbit has become a full blown cultural phenomenon as it manifested the rampant usage of LSD during the said period. Written by Grace Slick in 1965, Whit Rabbit was influenced by Lew is Carrolls Alices Adventure in Wonderland.However, instead of maintaining the classics original way of the characters, Slick infused the song with hippie messages, making the characters appear a shade darker, erasing their innocence, as it was centered on the purportedly induced hallucinations of hallucinogens. From the opening lyrics of the song which indicates One pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small. And the ones that mother gives you dont do anything at all. Go ask Alice when shes ten feet tallto the end voice that states When logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead.And the White ennoble is talking backwards, and the Red Queens off with her head think back what the dormouse said feed your head Feed your head (Slick, 1965) Jefferson Airplanes White Rabbit is indeed a transitory song that is only interpreted in the realms of Carrolls classic but in a more hallucinatory light. What adds to the depth of this interpretation is the bands usage of wordy bu ilding crescendo, snapping snare drum, strong driving electric guitar that creates the hallucinatory experience of its own (Jefferson Airplanes White Rabbit, 2008).Because of the vivid representation of hallucinogen used by the Jefferson Airplane, White Rabbits influence extended itself in modern music and culture. The song has been covered by more than 100 diverse bands during their acts, and has been featured in popular television system shows such as the Simpsons, the Sopranos. White Rabbit also inspire the induction of the book Go Ask Alice written by an anonymous writer, which chronicled the life of a teenager who died from a drug overdose.Hunter Thompsons 1972 flash Fear and loathing in Las Vegas, featuring a man tripping on bad combination of drugs which are LSD, mescaline, cocaine and alcohol gave rise for the reference of White Rabbit. Slicks pharmaceutical prescription advice was also referred to as the definitive rendition of the film The Matrix (1999) during a scen e where Morpheus offered neo a pill and said You sway the blue pillthe story ends you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you believe. You take the red pillyou stay in Wonderland and I show you how cloudy the rabbit-hole goes (cited in Jefferson Airplanes White Rabbit, 2008, n.p. ). Based from the given perspectives, it is limpid that despite Jefferson Airplanes advocacy for hallucinogen use, they remained as one of the most sought after psychedelic bands that greatly impacted 1960s and the culture today, as they have become the striking visuals of rebellion that inspired various groups and artists, as well as populace to stand for what they believe. The Doors By far the most influential group to emerge in California is The Doors. Their brief but intensely creative career, where they were able to record some of the greatest masterpieces in music history, has been widely recognized to date.Fronted by self-proclaimed poet Jim Morrison, the Doors was able to establish their na me in the field of psychedelic music. From their name The Doors, which is noted to be a tribute for the poetry of William Blake and Aldous Huxleys psychedelic drug book The doors of perception, the band clearly conveyed their music in the context of mind-expansion accounted to hallucinogen use. In fact, The Doors has been widely recognized for their notoriety in the usage of LSD in most of their performances (Whiteley, 2005).According to Ray Manzarek, the groups keyboardist, the early days of the band was marked by ingestion of LSD. Due to this, their usage of the said hallucinogen provided them a sense of shared of experiences. Each individuals tripping specifics developed a sense of bonding for the group, thereby giving them strong emotional feelings for to each one other, and eventually becoming the emblematic overtone of how they created their musicsexual and inhibition free which are strong parts of the LSD experience (Mazarek, 1999 cited in Whiteley, 2005).Although, Manzarek and Morrison did not openly discussed the exposit of their trips with LSD, the shared knowledge that they did have experienced the said drug has become evident within their trance-like music. Their songs reflected LSD use with each members extended solos. Likewise, Morrisons adaptive character, the Lizard King became the metaphorical representation of the hypnotic powers of the drug that entices the listeners to listen to their music and embrace the wild child within them (Whiteley, 2005).It was also found out that the hallucinogenic experience provided by LSD became the most crucial ingredient for the music of The Doors, as they believe that its use provided coming for them to reach the metaphysical. As Manzarek pointed out about the hallucinogenic experience and we were off Flying on the wings of cognize To Nirvana, to the pure land It was divine. It was rattling(a) and harmonious and beatific in one (Manzarek, 1999, p. 120 cited in Whiteley, 2005, p. 143). Apparently, they h ave used their music to express the transcendent moods that can be experienced under the influence of LSD.Songs such as Light my fire, People are Strange, as well as LA woman reflected the way of life The Doors have lived. Nonetheless, Riders on the Storm is said to be the culmination of the introductory hallucinogenic tracks of the band, as it is dark, mystical, and sinister and alienated, further reflecting what it is like to hallucinate (Whiteley, 2005). The music of The Doors continued to fascinate legions of rock fans even after the death of Morrison. During the mid-80s, the doors music was much popular as it has been during 1960s.Numerous quantities of the bands original album have been sold, including the reissues and releases of their live materials. By 1991, director Oliver Stone created the movie The Doors which tackled the story of the band. From here, it is easy to point out that the fame of The Doors never ceased despite their inclination to LSD usage (Ruhlmann and Unt erberger, 2009). The Beatles The popularity of The Beatles throughout the 1960s has been well documented. They started out as mainstream band that eventually marked the British invasion in the music industry, and was considered as the reason for the uprising of the womens sexual revolution.Their ability to extrapolate trends and the capability of their music to achieve global dissemination, apprizeed that they are one of the most significant forces in popular music history (Whiteley, 2000). By the division 1967, The Beatles eventually changed pace. From their mainstream music they jumped on to the American psychedelic bandwagon. The release of their album, Sgt. rain bucketss Lonely Hearts Club marked their conversion to the underground music. Such change of pace was considered as a significant factor out for the British Psychedelic rock.The Beatles change image and emphasis on both love and drugs as expressed in the Sgt. Peppers album is said to be in perfect harmony with the 1 960s LSD-influenced mood. The extensive popularity of the album notably indicates that the absence of the Beatles during the psychedelic era would have do the British counter culture insignificant. In short, the jump that the Beatles created from mainstream music to psychedelic rock established the British counter culture in the context of cultural themes and music (Whiteley, 2000).Lucy in the sky with diamonds, which was the third track in the album, was considered as the central force behind the British psychedelic rock because it served as the musical metaphor for the hallucinogenic experience. medical specialtyally, the songs loose beats is working directly towards the pulse rate of the listeners making it slow down, while slow shifting of the harmonies used in the base suggest relaxation that brings the audience into a comfortable dream state. Likewise, the melodic lines of each verse is very trancelike, allowing the audience to become reflective, and also creates a feeling of reassurance.Similarly, the well structured rising and falling phrasing of And I love her, For no one, and Yesterday partnered with exotic timbres and filtered vocal delivery makes the audience a heightened evocative good trip. The Beatles knew the effects of LSD and they have enjoyed the hallucinogenic experience. As such, they use it to their own advantage by inculcating it within their music so as to initiate a heightened sense of awareness. They used psychedelic resource such as tangerine trees and marmalade skies in order to strongly oppose the spatial dimension experienced during a hallucinogen trip.Finally, their jump to psychedelic music promised the audience a route where they can have a changed state of consciousness, which is an authentic experience (Whiteley, 2000). Conclusion Based from the data gaunt from the study, it is evident that hallucinogen use has become a significant part of the 1960s history. It affected every aspect of the society which paved way for the development of the counter culture known as the hippies. What further reinforce people to view such drug as an important part of the society was the music that deeply reflects the entrancement that can be succeed through the use of hallucinogens.The Jefferson Airplanes, The Doors and The Beatles, were considered as the forerunners of psychedelic music. They reflected the beliefs and attitudes of the counter culture and they became the voice to the new generation that cared less for power money and only wanted to live outside the rules set by ordinary society. In this respect, they were able to establish their own names through their music that has been significant back then, and is still considered as significant to date. References Grimbly, S (ed. ). (2001). 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