What to Listen To

Where to Start.

If you're new to Spravato® or looking to refresh your listening practice, this page gives you concrete starting points — specific artists, albums, and genres that patients and clinicians have found most supportive.

Editor's picks

Top Picks for Spravato® Sessions

01

Brian Eno — Ambient Series

The definitive starting point for session music. Ambient 1 (Music for Airports) and Ambient 4 (On Land) are particularly well-suited. Non-intrusive, spacious, and endlessly listenable.

Best for: All session phasesFind on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
02

Nils Frahm — All Melody

Piano-led post-classical with electronic textures. Emotionally rich but never overwhelming. Moves beautifully through the arc of a session.

Best for: Peak and integration phasesFind on: Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp
03

Marconi Union — Weightless

Designed in collaboration with sound therapists to reduce anxiety. The 8-minute track (and its extended versions) is one of the most studied relaxation recordings ever made.

Best for: Onset phase, anxious patientsFind on: Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music
04

Arvo Pärt — Tintinnabuli Works

Sacred minimalism. Spiegel im Spiegel, Für Alina, and Tabula Rasa are all exceptional. The sparse, bell-like quality creates profound stillness.

Best for: All session phasesFind on: Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube
05

Max Richter — Sleep

An 8-hour composition designed to accompany sleep. The 'Gentle Versions' release is ideal for sessions — deeply peaceful, with a slow emotional arc.

Best for: Onset and integration phasesFind on: Spotify, Apple Music

Find your fit

Find Music by What You Need

"I feel anxious"

Start with Marconi Union's Weightless, then move to Brian Eno's Ambient 1. Keep the volume low and focus on the lowest sounds.

See full guide

"I want to go deep"

Try Jóhann Jóhannsson's Arrival soundtrack or Hildur Guðnadóttir's Chernobyl score. These carry emotional weight and depth.

See full guide

"I'm not sure what I need"

Start with our curated playlists — they're designed to move through all session phases and work for most patients.

See full guide

Important

What to Avoid

Songs with lyrics you know well — they pull the mind into narrative and memory rather than present experience.

Music with sudden loud moments or jarring transitions — these can be startling and anxiety-provoking during altered states.

Playlists with ads — interruptions break the therapeutic container. Use a premium streaming account or download music beforehand.

Music that carries strong personal associations (an ex's favorite song, a funeral hymn) — unless you're intentionally working with that material.

High-energy or aggressive music — even if you normally love it, it can amplify anxiety during Spravato® sessions.

Now available

The Listening to Spravato® Book

By Justin Page — genre guides, session playlists, and the science of music-assisted healing

Get the Book
Listening to Spravato®

A guide to using sound intentionally during Spravato® treatment — for patients, clinicians, and caregivers seeking deeper healing through music.

Not medical advice. Justin Page is a conservatory-trained musician (Manhattan School of Music; Berklee College of Music), Presidential Scholar, and Spravato® patient who has undergone more than 80 documented esketamine treatment sessions. His work on music and esketamine neuroscience has been reviewed by clinical collaborators and submitted to the treatment manufacturer for feedback and verification. Content on this site reflects personal clinical experience, independent research, and ongoing collaboration with licensed mental health professionals — it does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for guidance from your prescriber, therapist, or care team. Always consult your treating clinician before making any changes to your treatment protocol.

© 2026 Listening to Spravato®. All rights reserved.

Spravato® is a registered trademark of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is part of Johnson & Johnson.