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 1960s pop culture, music, and art, sharing personal anecdotes and historical insights.
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
- psychedelic experiences
- LSD influence
- pop culture
- music history
- hallucinogens
- art and fashion
Keywords
- LSD
- hallucinogens
- pop culture
- music history
- Grateful Dead
- art
- fashion
Sponsors
Teddy’s Tie Dye
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Grateful Dead
Books & works: Gregorian Chant
More episodes of What the HELL Were You Thinking?
- Episode 526: Going Through the Big D · June 1, 2026 · 40 min
- Episode 525: On Second Thought, Let's Not Go to Camelot · May 18, 2026 · 31 min
- Episode 524: Hey Joe? Where You Going With That Son In Your Hand? · May 4, 2026 · 31 min
- Episode 523: If You're Going to San Francisco · April 20, 2026 · 30 min
- Episode 521: I Trip, Ergot I Am · March 23, 2026 · 32 min
- Episode 520: Insert Beatles Song Here · March 9, 2026 · 33 min
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