From the Rave Scene to Psychedelic Therapy

In this episode, Kyle Buller speaks with Matt Xavier, DJ, therapist, and author of The Psychedelic DJ. The conversation took place live at Psychedelic Science.

Matt recalls his early years in the rave culture of 1990s New York. He ran record labels, hosted psychedelic trance events, and lived through the intensity of that scene.

Why Music Is Medicine

Matt believes music should be treated as medicine. He explains how playlists can align with the stages of a psychedelic journey—onset, climb, peak, and descent. He encourages people to listen with intention and to categorize tracks by emotion, energy, and therapeutic impact.

Psychedelic Soundtracking

Instead of relying only on fixed playlists, Matt performs live mixing during sessions. This method keeps him fully engaged and responsive. He calls the approach “psychedelic soundtracking.” In his view, the guide becomes a tuning fork, adjusting the soundscape to match the client’s process.

Key Themes in the Conversation

• The evolution from rave DJ to therapist and author
• How music amplifies psychedelics, and why it matters
• Matching music with each stage of a journey
• Differences between psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine work
• The value of silence, long-form tracks, and harmonic mixing
• Why buying music supports artists and protects creativity from AI
• Practical tips for building playlists and rediscovering a love of listening

Supporting Artists and Building Community

Matt highlights the artists who inspire his work, from ambient pioneers to contemporary sound designers. He urges practitioners to support independent musicians by purchasing their music. In his words, keeping human creativity alive is essential for meaningful psychedelic work.

Writing, Mixing, and the Future

Matt also discusses his new book and the curated four-hour DJ protocol mix he designed for therapy sessions. He explains how this project grew into a collaborative effort and why writing became a spiritual journey for him. Looking ahead, he hopes to create a training program for others interested in weaving music into psychedelic practice.

🎶 Whether you are a therapist, a DJ, or simply a music lover, this episode shows how sound can transform the psychedelic experience.

The Psychedelic DJ

The Psychedelic DJ: A Practical Guide to Therapeutic Music Curation and Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy is a groundbreaking book dedicated to showing practitioners how to harness the profound synergy between music curation and psychedelic therapy. Drawing from his extensive experience as a professional DJ, mental health counselor, and psychedelic guide, author Matt Xavier reveals how sound and psilocybin work hand in hand to deepen the therapeutic dimensions of a client’s journey.

This comprehensive and accessible guide blends the intuitive art of music curation with clinical practices like experiential Gestalt therapy, offering practical tools for journey preparation, safe-setting protocols, and navigating challenges. It introduces the craft of Therapeutic DJing and Psychedelic Soundtracking—from playlist creation and live mixing to emotional attunement—providing a road map for guiding transformative inner experiences.