Phantom Music After Pregabalin (Lyrica): Musical Hallucinations

If you started (or increased) pregabalin (Lyrica) and suddenly began “hearing” music that isn’t actually playing, you are not alone. The most common name for this experience is musical hallucinations—sometimes called musical hallucinosis or Musical Ear Syndrome. It can feel unsettling, but in many cases it is a medication-related effect and is reversible once the trigger is addressed.

What Is “Phantom Music” Called?

The clinical terms most often used include:

• Musical hallucinations (hearing songs, melodies, choir-like sounds, or instrumentals with no external source)
• Musical hallucinosis (often used when the person recognizes the music is not real)
• Musical Ear Syndrome (commonly used when hearing changes or tinnitus contribute)
• Medication-induced auditory hallucinations (a broader category that can include music)

Why Can Pregabalin Trigger Phantom Music?

Pregabalin affects nerve signaling by modulating certain calcium channels in the nervous system. In susceptible people, this can shift how the brain processes sound, especially in quiet environments. When the brain isn’t receiving “enough” clean auditory input (or when signaling is altered), it can “fill in the gaps”—sometimes producing patterned sound that the brain interprets as music.

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