Waves of Perception: The Cultural Shift Towards Medicalization in Surfing’s Relationship with Psychedelics

• In Event: 30609 - Cultural Studies

Abstract

This research examines the evolving relationship between surf culture and psychedelics, tracing a shift from the 1960s "soul surfing" ethos—rooted in countercultural and spiritual engagements with psychedelics—to contemporary frameworks that emphasize medicalization and therapeutic use. Drawing on Howard Becker’s theory of drug-using subcultures, this study explores how psychedelic experiences are socially learned and shaped by broader cultural modalities (Hartogsohn 2022). Through an analysis of podcast interviews with surfers and psychedelic experts, this research investigates how meanings, values, and practices surrounding psychedelics are constructed within contemporary surf communities. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this study identifies key discursive shifts in how psychedelics are understood and integrated into surfing lifestyles today, particularly in relation to expertise, legitimacy, and scientific authority. Findings suggest that while psychedelics remain a part of surf culture, their framing has moved away from countercultural rebellion and toward wellness, self-optimization, and medical legitimacy. These insights contribute to a sociology of psychedelics by demonstrating how cultural contexts shape drug use and meaning, furthering discussions on the interplay between subcultures, scientific discourse, and shifting societal attitudes. By situating contemporary psychedelic practices within a broader cultural and historical framework, this study highlights the sociological significance of changing drug modalities.

Author

• Jarrett Robert Rose, SUNY Polytechnic Institute