Whereas everything related to psychedelics was still considered taboo in the last century, we are now in the midst of a true psychedelic renaissance. Here on Dutch-Smart, you’ve been reading a lot lately about the growing medical applications of substances like psilocybin and mescaline, but the number of “home trippers” is also increasing every day. But before you down a dose of shrooms, it can be helpful to know some useful background info about the substance. In this article: 5 amazing must-see documentaries about psychedelics, from truffles and magic mushrooms to ayahuasca and LSD.
1. DMT: The Spirit Molecule (2010)
We’re pretty sure the die-hard psychonauts among you have already seen this documentary, but for the uninitiated: this is the ultimate psychedelics documentary for people interested in perhaps the most extraordinary hallucinogen in the world: DMT. Dimethyltryptamine, as the substance is called, is a psychoactive compound found in humans and countless species of plants and animals—in nearly every living organism on the planet. Psychiatrist Rick Strassman wrote the book in 2000, which was eventually turned into a documentary in 2010. DMT is the active ingredient in the psychedelic drink ayahuasca, but it can also be consumed in other ways.
2. Fantastic Fungi
Fantastic Fungi, directed by Louie Schwartzberg, is a mind-expanding film that takes you on a captivating journey through the magical world of mushrooms. Of course, a film about mushrooms wouldn’t be complete without delving into varieties of psychedelic fungi, the most popular of which are psilocybin mushrooms. One of the most compelling interviews in Fantastic Fungi is with mycologist Stamets, who has dedicated his life to studying mushrooms. He shares a heartbreaking story about his struggles with stuttering as a young man and a mind-expanding afternoon with psilocybin that completely changed his life.
3. Neurons to Nirvana
This beautiful and comprehensive documentary explores the cultural, political, and legal landscape surrounding the use of psychedelic substances. Through interviews with the world’s leading researchers, writers, psychologists, and pioneers in psychedelic psychotherapy, the film explores the history of five powerful psychedelic substances (LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, Ayahuasca, and Cannabis) and their well-established medicinal potential. Thanks to extensive research, we now know that some of these substances show great promise for treating various physical and mental conditions. This documentary delves deeper into this topic and offers new and interesting insights for many.
4. A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin
For visitors to Dutch-Smart, psilocybin is, alongside cannabis, likely the most interesting “drug.” The active compound is found in magic truffles and magic mushrooms (AKA psilocybin mushrooms), and offers many users completely new insights into their lives. A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin delves deeper into the science behind the substance. Specifically, it focuses on the scientific research being conducted to treat fear of death in terminally ill cancer patients. Can magic mushrooms and magic truffles help these patients with their fears? This documentary will tell you.
5. AYA: Awakenings
Aya: Awakenings is another documentary that uses Rak Razam’s book Aya Awakenings: A Shamanic Odyssey as source material. The film follows Razam’s journey through the Amazon jungle to unravel the mysteries of the powerful plant medicine Ayahuasca and the shamans who work with it. It is an audiovisual spectacle and takes you on a journey through the world of Amazonian shamanism. Ayahuasca, “the vine of the soul,” takes center stage here. This plant-based medicine has been used by indigenous tribes for thousands of years to heal physical ailments and to cleanse and purify the spirit.
