Depictions of psychedelics in film have primarily been negative. Cinema is a powerful medium that can inspire and move people, but it can also be a source of misinformation. Hollywood movies tend to focus on the more sensational aspects of these substances, rather than their potential benefits for individuals and society as a whole. The movies listed here all feature at least one reference to psychedelics — even if it’s just as an afterthought. These films might not be ideal representations of what happens when you take these drugs, but they do offer a glimpse into how others have seen them. Some portray psychedelics in a positive light, while others are far less flattering — especially if you’re watching them with friends who aren’t familiar with this topic yet.
"The Trip Continues" (2016)
The Trip Continues is a documentary film that follows a group of people as they explore the potential benefits of psychedelics. The documentary features interviews with people who take psychedelics as a potential treatment for a variety of mental health issues, including drug addiction and depression. The Trip Continues is not a pro-psychedelic movie, but it shows that many people are looking for alternatives to the traditional mental health care system.
"Easy Rider" (1969)
Easy Rider is the classic film about two men on a motorcycle trip who must navigate their way through a clusterfuck of a decade. In the midst of this chaotic decade, the two men make a stop at a radio station where one of them performs a song about taking LSD. In this scene, the men are shown as carefree, unpretentious hippies who just want to rock out and have a good time. However, this scene is only three seconds long, so it might not be the best representation of psychedelics.
"Subconscious Scripting" (2017)
Subconscious Scripting is an art experiment that explores the potential benefits of psychedelics. The filmmaker interviews artists and musicians about their relationship with psychedelics and then presents them with a special writing prompt to help them tap into their creative selves. The result is a fascinating look at the creative potential of psychedelics — as well as a glimpse into the potential of a more open-minded art scene.
"Almost Human" (2018)
Almost Human is a comedy-drama about a suburban police officer (Willis’s character) who becomes obsessed with a robotic humanoid officer. The main plot of the movie revolves around the characters’ obsession with the robotic police officer. This obsession with the robotic cop, however, reflects the characters’ obsession with pharmaceuticals and their desire to escape from the problems in their own lives. In the end, the main character does get help for his mental health issues, and it turns out that this is a positive representation for society as a whole.
"Lost in Thought" (2008)
Lost in Thought is a documentary about the work of the late artist Syd Matters. The film follows Matters as she paints her intricate psychedelic landscapes and explores her inner feelings through her art. Lost in Thought is a beautiful documentary that features some of the most intricate psychedelic animation that we’ve ever seen. It’s a great movie if you want to get a glimpse of what psychedelics look like in everyday life.
"Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (2010)
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is a children’s song that celebrates the power of psychedelics. The lyrics of the song describe the positive effects of psychedelics — including love and happiness. This is a great example of how psychedelics have historically been portrayed in pop culture.
"Love and Chaos - The Art of Shulman & Woodruff’s Psychedelic Art" (2012)
Love and Chaos is a documentary about the late artist William S. Burroughs and the artist Pablo Picasso — who collaborated with Burroughs in the 1950s. The documentary explores the potential benefits of psychedelics and the creative potential of these substances.
"Black Tuna: The Film that Changed My Life" (2017)
Black Tuna is a comedy-drama about a two-man black comedy road trip. The trip begins with a couple of white guys who decide to escape from the world by driving from one end of California to the other. During the road trip, the white guys discuss — often with some degree of mockery — issues surrounding race, politics, and mental health. The black comedy in the film comes from the fact that the two guys are, in fact, black — and the film explores issues surrounding these topics in a more constructive way than most comedies about these issues.
Conclusion
After reading all of these negative portrayals of psychedelics in film, it’s easy to get discouraged. However, you should also keep in mind that not many people have the privilege of taking these substances in a controlled setting and doing research on the potential benefits associated with each drug. Many people don’t even have access to these substances, so it’s important to remember that the movie depictions should not be used as an excuse to ignore these drugs altogether. Rather, these movies are a great starting point to investigate further the potential benefits of these substances.
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