section_path: 1962–1966: Peak years/Growing drug use and religious epiphany
section_name: Growing drug use and religious epiphany
paragraph_text: Growing drug use and religious epiphany
  
  With his bandmates frequently touring, Wilson grew socially distant from the Beach Boys. In late 1964, he had relocated to an apartment at 7235 Hollywood Boulevard, where he began cultivating a new social circle through music industry connections. Biographer Steven Gaines writes that this period marked Wilson's first independence from familial oversight, allowing friendships without "parental interference". Wilson befriended talent agent Loren Schwartz, whom he met at a Hollywood studio. Through Schwartz, Wilson engaged with literature on philosophy and world religions, sparking his interest in mystical topics. Schwartz also introduced Wilson to marijuana and hashish; his habitual use of these substances, combined with his frequent visits to Schwartz's apartment, contributed to marital tensions with his wife Marilyn. His first song composed under the influence of marijuana was " Please Let Me Wonder " (1965).
  
  I had what I consider to be a very religious experience. I took LSD, a full dose of LSD, and later, another time, I took a smaller dose. And I learned a lot of things, like patience, understanding. I can't teach you, or tell you what I learned from taking it.
  
  Throughout 1965, Wilson's musical ambitions progressed significantly with the albums The Beach Boys Today! (March) and Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) (June). Weeks after relocating to an apartment on West Hollywood 's Gardner Street with his wife early in the year, Wilson took LSD for the first time under Schwartz's supervision. Wilson later said of the experience, "it just tore my head off. You just come to grips with what you are, what you can do can't do, and learn to face it." During the experience, he composed portions of the Beach Boys' single " California Girls ". He later described the session for the song's backing track, held on April 6, as his "favorite", and the opening orchestral section as "the greatest piece of music that I've ever written". However, he attributed persistent paranoia later that year to his LSD use.
  
  After unsuccessful efforts to distance Wilson from Schwartz, Marilyn temporarily separated from him. She later reflected on the strain caused by his drug-associated social circle, stating, "He was not the same Brian... These people were very hurtful, and I tried to get that through to Brian." The couple soon reconciled, and, in late 1965, moved into a newly purchased home at 1448 Laurel Way in Beverly Hills.
  
  With his bandmates frequently touring, Wilson grew socially distant from the Beach Boys. In late 1964, he had relocated to an apartment at 7235 Hollywood Boulevard, where he began cultivating a new social circle through music industry connections. Biographer Steven Gaines writes that this period marked Wilson's first independence from familial oversight, allowing friendships without "parental interference". Wilson befriended talent agent Loren Schwartz, whom he met at a Hollywood studio. Through Schwartz, Wilson engaged with literature on philosophy and world religions, sparking his interest in mystical topics. Schwartz also introduced Wilson to marijuana and hashish; his habitual use of these substances, combined with his frequent visits to Schwartz's apartment, contributed to marital tensions with his wife Marilyn. His first song composed under the influence of marijuana was " Please Let Me Wonder " (1965).
  
  I had what I consider to be a very religious experience. I took LSD, a full dose of LSD, and later, another time, I took a smaller dose. And I learned a lot of things, like patience, understanding. I can't teach you, or tell you what I learned from taking it.
  
  Throughout 1965, Wilson's musical ambitions progressed significantly with the albums The Beach Boys Today! (March) and Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) (June). Weeks after relocating to an apartment on West Hollywood 's Gardner Street with his wife early in the year, Wilson took LSD for the first time under Schwartz's supervision. Wilson later said of the experience, "it just tore my head off. You just come to grips with what you are, what you can do can't do, and learn to face it." During the experience, he composed portions of the Beach Boys' single " California Girls ". He later described the session for the song's backing track, held on April 6, as his "favorite", and the opening orchestral section as "the greatest piece of music that I've ever written". However, he attributed persistent paranoia later that year to his LSD use.
  
  After unsuccessful efforts to distance Wilson from Schwartz, Marilyn temporarily separated from him. She later reflected on the strain caused by his drug-associated social circle, stating, "He was not the same Brian... These people were very hurtful, and I tried to get that through to Brian." The couple soon reconciled, and, in late 1965, moved into a newly purchased home at 1448 Laurel Way in Beverly Hills.