Songwriter and performer Lorde has discussed how psychedelic therapy helped her manage her severe stage fright and find connection with her audience. “I started doing guided psychedelic therapy (using MDMA and psilocybins with supervision) as part of my mental health journey in 2022 and 2023” she said of her use of MDMA and psilocybin in a conversation with Rolling Stone.
The 27-year-old New Zealand singer explained that not long before, she had dealt with performance anxiety for years leading up to the therapy. Following the course of treatment and finally being able to tour again, she was able to do so without fear for the first time in her career. “I had one of the most connected moments performing on stage during Supercut. I was able to feel emotions between me and the crowd and it had been far too long since I was able to feel that."
Lorde insisted that therapy helped her let go of an entrenched insecurity around her body and appearance; these worries motored a lot of pressure from her life in public as well a pre-stage anxiety. Now, she feels more aware of her self and more present than ever before.
Her story reflects a larger trend in the way artists are tackling mental health challenges, and finding better approaches to creativity, whether through album concepts or in unconventional therapies, including psychedelic-assisted therapy. Lorde claimed the therapies played a huge part in helping her feel centered and in control again both onstage and off.
Lorde also elaborated on how the therapy experience allowed her to dig deeper into her gender identity, stating she sometimes feels "in the middle", and stating she has become more flexible in her understanding of gender identity. Lorde maintains she is a cisgender woman, and uses she/her pronouns; but pointed out, her lived experience doesn't always align with traditional definitions.
Identity and change will provide the central themes for Lorde's fourth studio album, Virgin, which is set to be released in late June 2025. "Virgin" embodies the growth Lorde has experienced during a period of emotional & personal change in the last several years. Lyrics like "Some days I'm a woman / Some days I'm a man" emphasize the self-exploration and self-discovery that has inspired the record.
Lorde’s candor is appreciated by fans and mental health advocates alike; both see her story as a meaningful illustration of how artists can struggle with fame while considering their mental health since she is not afraid to talk about such topics as therapy and identity. Lorde's willingness to address these issues demonstrates an evolution in the way public figures talk about mental health, identity, and the pressures of the entertainment and creative industries.
As Virgin will push Lorde's art forward, audiences can expect a more introspective sound that is emotionally raw - that is an album based on not only experience of life, but also healing and self-awareness.
Image Source:elle.com
