Episode 522: Are You Experienced?

Episode 522: Are You Experienced?

From What the HELL Were You Thinking? by Dave Bledsoe

April 6, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 522

About this episode

In this episode, Dave Bledsoe explores the influence of LSD and hallucinogens on pop culture and music history.

Show Notes Episode 522: Are You Experienced? This week host Dave Bledsoe thought he had a psychedelic experience when he started seeing strange shapes and colors only to discover he had passed out in the ball pit of a Chuck E Cheese. (Again.) On the show this week we take a look at the influence of LSD and other hallucinogens on pop culture in the 1960s. Along the way we discover that even at a Dead Show, no one wants him around. Then we dive right into the history of illicit substances in music. (You think those Gregorian Chant monks weren’t high?) Then we meet a band of Merry Pranksters (Their pranks were mostly just dropping acid) and their house band, the Warlocks. (You know them better by the Grateful Dead) More importantly, we meet their sound guy Owsley Stanley. (His friends, and customers, called him Bear.) We wrap up with a look at art, literature and fashion inspired by LSD and finally explain that all the shit you see tripping is on YOU! Our Sponsor this week is Teddy’s Tie Dye, because one color is boring. We open the show with a radio commercial for a Dead Show and close with BrennanKill who has a question for you. Show Theme: Hypnostate Prelude to Common Sense The…

People in this episode

Host: Dave Bledsoe

Topics covered

Keywords

Sponsors

Teddy’s Tie Dye

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Grateful Dead

Books & works: Gregorian Chant

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