Dr Caroline Chatwin - Subcultures and Mainstreaming in the Psychedelic Trance Scene

Psychedelic trance, once a quintessential counterculture, shows clear signs of mainstreaming and commercialization in its culture, style, and events. While the scene has integrated into modern society and lost its strictly underground status, a dedicated core remains. Research indicates that individuals deeply involved in this core are more likely to attend unofficial, secret party venues and engage in substance use. The motivation for this consumption has shifted from mere intoxication to themes of self-exploration and intentional personal growth, contrasting sharply with traditional criminological perspectives of drug use as strictly deviant behavior.